DuPuis Management Area

Program Manager:  Steve Coughlin
Note:  On certain hunting days the DuPuis property is closed to general use, which means all uses except hunting. Such uses include the auto tour, camping, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and fishing. However, the visitors' center is open for scheduled lectures and visiting hours even when the property is closed for general use. Please check the DuPuis calendar link below for scheduled hunting dates.
Please Note:
Dogs are not allowed in the DuPuis Management Area.

The DuPuis Management Area is a 21,875 acre multi-use natural area located in northwestern Palm Beach and southwestern Martin Counties. The property is interspersed with numerous ponds, wet prairies, cypress domes, pine flatwoods, and remnant Everglades marsh. The area provides miles of hiking and horseback trails, an equestrian center, graded vehicle roads, backpack and group campsites, and seasonal hunting. Recreational.  DuPuis is far from urban areas, and its dark night sky lends itself to excellent star gazing.

At this site you can explore the 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 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. Special Saturday events or water resource programs are offered. Learn about these by calling (561) 924-5310.

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.

Archeological 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."

For More Information: Call DuPuis at (561) 924-5310 or SFWMD headquarters at (561) 686-8800, ext. 6635

Address:  DuPuis Management Area
23500 SW Kanner Highway
Canal Point, FL  33438

 
DuPuis Events

GIS/GPS Training Workshop –
an advanced workshop for professionals
Friday and Saturday, May 17-18, 2013
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where – DuPuis Management Area's Visitors' Center at Gate 5 on Highway 76 in Martin County, 23500 SW Kanner Highway, Canal Point, FL 33438

Who – Odyssey Geospatial
Rick Householder & James Gammack-Clark, Geospatial Scientist and University Professor

What to bring – Your laptop, notebook and picnic lunch (We are too far from restaurants!). You can bring your own GPS, but not necessary. We will provide beverages, snacks and manuals.

What to wear – There will be indoor presentations and outside field work. Be sure to wear comfortable field and walking shoes, sunglasses and hat.

Workshop Description – This dynamic workshop provides students with in-depth concepts to master your GIS skills by applying real world applications. You will learn the skills that employers are looking for in Geospatial Technology and earn a training certificate to apply towards an application or renewal of GISP certification. The knowledge gained in this workshop can be utilized in a broad range of professions utilizing GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing. Workshop includes in class presentations, hands-on, and field trip experiences while exploring DuPuis on a swamp buggy!

Cost – This advanced workshop costs $500 per person, seating is limited to 12 participants, so don't miss out! Proceeds support the Florida Center for Environmental Studies Environmental Education Program at DuPuis Management Area.

You can register and view workshop agenda online at http://fauf.fau.edu/gps.

Workshop Agenda [PDF]

Workshop flyer to share with your friends [PDF]

After years of preparatory work by land managers, on October 13 the federally endangered red cockaded woodpecker was returned to the forest of the District's DuPuis Management Area located in Martin and Palm Beach Counties. In a cooperative venture by the District, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, five pair of juvenile woodpeckers will be released each year for five consecutive years to re-establish this native bird on DuPuis.

Enjoy a Spooky Halloween
at DuPuis management Area
October 23, 2010 5:30-9:30 PM 

Visit the DuPuis Management Area for free ghostly fun on Haunted Halloween Night, complete with a family-friendly atmosphere, fun games, crafts, candy, a haunted house and trick-or-treat bags for kids in costume. An all-ages hayride will depart from the visitors’ center before sunset.

After sunset, ride at your own risk on the Haunted Hayride — guaranteed to spook its victims. Learn about creepy critters such as bats, owls, snakes and spiders on a spine-tingling guided night hike. Boy Scout Troop #832 will be selling hot dogs, chips, apple cider and homemade donuts. For more information contact Kim Kanter at (800) 432-2045, ext. 3339, or kkanter@sfwmd.gov