7 Creeks Fest
Jacksonville, FLorida
Celebrate and Explore the7 Creeks Recreation Area
The 7 Creeks Fest invites you to celebrate and explore the scenic waterways, diverse ecosystems, and winding trails of the 7 Creeks Recreation Area. Spread throughout the connected wilderness parks and preserves surrounded by seven creeks, this family-friendly, fun event raises awareness of these preserved public lands and how we can help protect them.
The fest highlights the area’s recreational opportunities, local efforts to enhance and protect these green spaces, and offers nature-themed activities and exhibits that emphasize education and environmentally-responsible adventures.
Free admission & activitiesCome Early and Spend the Day!Rain or Shine
Choose Your Own Adventure
Check In at the Welcome Hub
Check in at the Fest Welcome Hub to get information, then choose your own adventure! Bring your own recreational equipment, or try ours for free: kayaks and bikes.
Entertainment
Performances feature diverse local talent at the Welcome Hub's creek-side stage. Come out to enjoy the music of Rambler Kane and A Fine Kettle of Fish.
Free Shuttle Bus to Other Trailheads Available
A free shuttle bus will be available for travel to these trailheads starting 9:45 AM (following this route):
- (1) Welcome Hub
- (3) Kayak Trailhead
- (4) State Park Trailhead
- (5) Black Hammock Island Trailhead
- (6) Horseshoe Creek Trailhead
- (4) State Park Trailhead
- (3) Kayak Trailhead
- (1) Welcome Hub
- (2) Edwards Creek Trailhead
Three (3) shuttle buses will make continuous loops from 9:45 AM to 3:30 PM.
Activities
- Archaeology Hike
- Biking
- Bingo Scavenger Hunt
- Birding Walk
- Camping Clinic
- Exhibitor Area
- Fishing Clinic for Kids*
- Food Trucks
- History Hike
- Invertebrate BioBlitz
- Kayaking
- Live Music
- Nature Hikes
- Prescribed Fire Equipment Demo
- Photography Hike
- Self-guided hiking with Selfie Station at Bogey Creek
- Sound Bath
- Welcome/Orientation
- Wildflower Walk
*Preregistration is required at the fishing clinic section below. Space is limited.
Bring your own recreational equipment, or try ours for free (first-come, first-serve; supplies are limited):
- Kayaking - #3 on the map
- Biking - #6 on the map
Fishing Clinic for Kids
This program is presented by Timucuan Parks Foundation with the generous sponsorship of the Rotary Club of East Arlington and support of JaxParks.
BOGEY CREEK PRESERVE Self-guided Hike with Selfie Station
Make sure to stop at Bogey Creek Preserve at 5500 Cedar Point Rd and take a self-guided hike. You can take a selfie at their selfie stations and scan the QR code to learn more about North Florida Land Trust.
NOTE: Bogey Creek Preserve is located before the Welcome Hub and other parks. Turn in here first to grab your selfies and then join the other action!
Unique Exhibitors and Engaging Learning Opportunities
Connect with a variety of exhibitors focused on environmental conservation and education, health, outdoor recreation, and other outdoor activities. All exhibitors are located at the Welcome Hub exhibitor area unless otherwise noted.
- Amelia Adventures
- Bike/Walk Central Florida
- Calmunity Wellness
- City of Jacksonville/JaxParks
- Dune Defenders
- Duval Audubon Society
- First Coast Invasive Working Group
- Florida Forest Service
- Florida State Parks
- Friends of Talbot Islands State Parks
- IXIA Chapter, Florida Native Plant Society
- Jacksonville Herpetological Society
- Jacksonville Urban Sketchers
- Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
- JaxParks
- Keep Jacksonville Beautiful
- National Park Service – Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
- National Parks Conservation Association
- North Florida Land Trust
- North Florida Trailblazers, Florida Trail Association
- Northeast Florida Aquatic Preserves
- Save Lives Training LLC
- Sierra Club Northeast Florida Group
- SWCA Environmental Consultants
- Timucuan Parks Foundation
- Tree Hill Nature Center
- Turtle Survival Alliance – Team Terrapin
- UF/IFAS Extension Duval County Florida Friendly Landscaping
- University of North Florida Archaeology Lab
- UNF Institute of Environmental Research and Education
- Visit Jacksonville
- We Cope, Inc.
Become a Fest Exhibitor
Is your company or organization focused on nature, science, outdoor recreation, education, conservation, or the environment? We are looking for exhibitors like you to participate in 7 Creeks Fest!
Become a Fest Sponsor
The 7 Creeks Fest is a free community event and the generous sponsors help us present it to the community. To learn about sponsorship levels and benefits, download the packet.
Become a Fest Volunteer
We need volunteers to make 7 Creeks Fest a success. We are looking for dedicated volunteers to help with table set-up and break down, parking assistance, and much more. Volunteers must be 18 years or older.
Thank You to Our Community Partners
- Adventure Kayak Florida
- Cosmo Historical Preservation Corporation
- Duval Audubon Society
- Florida Native Plant Society – IXIA Chapter
- Florida Trail Association – North Florida Trailblazers
- Paxon High School National Honor Society
- Rotary Club of East Arlington
- Sierra Club Northeast Florida Group
- Tim Gilmore
- Timucuan Parks Foundation Young Professionals
- UNF Archaeology Lab
- Will Dickey Photography
Park and Trail Etiquette
To protect wildlife and their habitat (and fellow visitors), please follow these rules of the outdoors:
- Dogs must be on a six-foot leash.
- Dispose of bagged dog waste in trash receptacles.
- Admire plants and wildlife from afar, keep a safe distance.
- Leave No Trace / Pack in & Pack Out – take your litter with you when you leave the trails.
- Bike riders yield to hikers. All yield to horses.
Things to Bring
It’s a good idea to bring these with you because the parks are remote and you will only find nature there:
- Refillable water bottle (Water stations for refilling your water bottle will be available.)
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent spray
- Camp chair or picnic blanket
- Snacks or a picnic*
*Food trucks provide opportunities to purchase food but may have long lines.
7 Creeks Fest is modeled on Marsh Fest which originated at Dutton Island Preserve in Atlantic Beach, a biennial event that became so popular that it outgrew little Dutton Island. The park agencies and nonprofits have partnered to revive the celebration of our saltwater marshes and other ecosystems by hosting 7 Creeks Fest in the more expansive 7 Creeks Recreation Area.
7 Creeks Fest is Presented in Partnership
Discover the 7 Creeks Recreation Area
The 7 Creeks Recreation Area offers visitors 30+ miles of trails that could occupy days of hiking, biking, horseback riding and exploring diverse ecosystems, making each mile a new adventure. This collection of parks and preserves is home to thousands of acres of unspoiled lands surrounded by expansive saltmarsh of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve that offers an extensive network of tidal creeks for kayakers, boaters, paddleboarders and fishermen.
7 Creeks | 7 Parks and Preserves | 30+ Miles of Trails on 5,600 Connected Acres