As botanist William Bartram canoed the St. Johns River in 1773, he noted massive mounds of snail shells piled up on its shorelines. These middens give insight to civilizations long gone who had plied the waters of the St. Johns for sustenance and travel.

The Bluffton Mound was well known as a landmark along the river, thanks to its size, but like many middens along the St. Johns was carted away for roadfill in a less enlightened time earlier this century.

Today, a visit to the Bluffton Interpretive Trail inside of Lake George State Forest leads you into the past and through habitats common to the uplands along the St. Johns River.

There is a porta potty, covered picnic tables, and trash cans available in the parking area, and a $2 day use fee (payable online) for visiting.

Music: Delavoh