Located in northwestern Palm Beach and southwestern Martin counties, the DuPuis Management Area is a 21,875 acres of multi-use natural area. The land is scattered with numerous ponds, wet prairies, cypress domes, pine flatwoods, and remnant Everglades marsh. DuPuis is far from urban areas, and its dark night sky lends itself to excellent star gazing.
DuPuis includes a visitors' center with interpretive displays, walk the nature trail and butterfly garden; fish from the partially covered pier; take a 15-mile, self-guided auto tour; picnic or enjoy primitive group and free family camping. There are 22 miles of hiking trails, including a segment of the Ocean to Lake Trail (part of the Florida National Scenic Trail), and an equestrian campground with 40 miles of horseback riding trails.
Prior to District acquisition in 1986, the property was a ranch for Dutch white-belted cattle, sheep and goats. By 2001, more than 6,500 acres of wetlands on DuPuis were restored through a three-step program. Land managers plugged old drainage ditches, repaired a levee at the southern boundary to restore former Everglades marsh and reconnected a portion of the flow from the adjacent J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area.
Archaeological sites of early American Indians date to 500 B.C. Much later, the Seminole Indians used the DuPuis region as a refuge during the Seminole Indian War of 1835, but living on the land proved difficult. Hundreds of starving Indians were captured and sent to Oklahoma. The area became known as "The Hungryland."
One of the less known parts of DuPuis is the Powerline Grade along the eastern perimeter. A one way trip is 13 miles long and it can be traveled on foot, bike, horse or car. As the name implies the shellrock road parallels power lines running south from the FPL Indiantown power plant. The southern half of the road runs between a canal (with many resident alligators) and the adjacent Corbett WMA. You may also see otters, deer, birds and various Florida fauna. Bringing your camera is recommended!
Happy caching!