Martin Grade Scenic Highway photos, maps, and reviews offer insight into the beautiful stretch of highway perfect for a scenic road trip on the Treasure Coast. The two-lane road is 12 miles long and shaded by a fantastic canopy of over 100-year-old oaks, cabbage palms, Spanish moss, and beautiful maple trees. Roads like Martin Grade Scenic Highway can make a drive go from ordinary to remarkable.
The road is unique and unlike any other road in the Sunshine State. It’s entirely off the beaten path and a true hidden gem. The Martin Grade Scenic Highway is one of the most beautiful roads in Florida and on the Treasure Coast. Below is more information on the Martin Grade Scenic Highway, including photos, map, & reviews.
The History of Martin Grade Scenic Highway
The Martin Grade Scenic Highway began as a logging trail. The road was developed in the 1930s and was initially used by local cowboys to drive cattle as the agricultural industry took off in the area. Cattle ranches and citrus farms continue to grow around the borders of The Grade.
The Martin Grade in the mid-to-late 1920s.
The land surrounding the road is uniquely beautiful. Cattle ranches and citrus groves on each side of the Grade are filled with abundant, beautiful wildlife. Today, much of the road is still undeveloped and home to farmers and others who enjoy a peaceful rural lifestyle. The road and county are named after John W. Martin, who was the Governor of Florida from 1925 to 1929. Martin pushed for the establishment of Martin County and the Martin Grade.
The Martin County Scenic Highway, which connected the previously separated cities of Stuart and Okeechobee, has experienced obstacles over the years, including storms like hurricanes and tornadoes. However, local officials have worked hard to ensure that the Shady Banyan canopy over the beloved Road remains in place, including planting new trees to maintain the road’s natural allure and beauty.
Why is Martin County Scenic Highway Called “The Grade?”
Martin County Scenic Highway goes by many names. It’s called County Road 714 and the East-West Connector, but locals call it “The Grade.” One highway spokesman called it “the road to Old Florida.”
When roads were first constructed in the late 1900s, settlers described them according to their construction. Roads built by cutting down the trees and removing the roots were called “cut-and-grub.” Narrow lane passages were called “two-rut” roads, and bumpy roads that ran through the wetlands were called “corduroy” roads.
Once the local government took over the expansion and maintenance of roads, they became smoother, wider, and flatter. They were then called “grades.’ The Martin Grade Scenic Highway is reminiscent of what Martin County used to be like in the past, more than 100 years ago. Visitors also rate the road highly for its nostalgic feel. The popular site Roadtrippers gives the Martin Grade Scenic Highway a 4.5 out of 5 stars. The review site calls it “The road that time forgot.”
The Allapattah Flats
Martin Grade Scenic Highway cuts through the Allapattah Flats, a beautiful protected area that has preserved the integrity of Florida’s natural past. The unique landscape is more than 22,000 acres and was once wetlands that comprised a portion of the Florida Everglades.
Today, people use the Allapattah flats to explore nature. The area is away from the crowds and a great place to see wildlife. The flats protect the marsh and flat pine flatwood areas and rare wildlife, including wood storks, crested caracaras, and sandhill cranes. Whitetail deer, boars, fox squirrels, and wild turkeys are also abundant in the flats. The Allapattah Flats are perfect for bird watchers. A five-mile trail leads to a marsh where birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts can bring their cameras and binoculars to get a close-up view of the fantastic nature and wildlife.
Visitors can also hike or bike the five-mile-long trail system at the Allapattah Flats. Separate trails are available for horseback riding, and a large pasture of more than 150 acres is available for equestrians. Fishing and hunting are also possible in the Allapattah flats with a permit.
September through March are hunting seasons for family hunts, spring turkey, general gun, archery, and muzzleloading gun. Dove hunts occur from October through January. Fishing is also permitted year-round if anglers have a Florida fishing license.
Some people use the Allapattah flats for camping. There is a designated primitive campsite, but it can only be used with a special license. Many people enjoy hiking, biking, birdwatching, horseback riding, nature photography, and simply exploring the area’s wildlife, beauty, and nature. The Allapattah flats are open year-round to the public.
Martin Grade Scenic Highway Becoming a Treasure
Martin Grade Scenic Highway was designated a scenic road in Florida in January 2015. There are only 27 designated scenic highways in the state, and only the most incredible stretches of road can receive the honored designation. As part of the Florida Scenic Highway Program, the Martin Grade Scenic Highway is considered to have historical, cultural, archaeological, and natural value for the state.
Marin Road hasn’t been altered much since its construction and has kept its historical integrity. For locals, The Grade is historically significant and is considered one of the last pieces of Florida that remains untouched by time. The peaceful stretch of road is completely immersed in nature, far away from shops, restaurants, and other signs of life.
Where is Martin Grade Scenic Highway Located?
The Martin Grade Scenic Highway is just half an hour west of Stuart, Florida, and 10 miles west of Palm City, Florida. It is tucked between Warfield Boulevard (State Road 710) and Allapattah Road (State Road 609). The road can be accessed from I-95 or Florida State Road 70.
Map of Martin Grade, from Palm City to Okeechobee.
The three towns surrounding the road are Stuart, Indiantown, and Okeechobee. Each city has a distinct charm. However, Stuart is the most popular because of its excellent amenities. Road trippers on the Martin Grade Scenic Byway usually stop in Stuart to enjoy the incredible town.
The Grade is perfect for road trips; locals and tourists enjoy the highway. The quiet road offers a leisurely drive through the beautiful citrus grows and wilderness. The road feels like it’s in a world of its own, yet it’s a short drive from the pretty beachside towns that make up the Treasure Coast.
What is Traffic Like on the Martin Grade Scenic Highway?
Martin Grade Scenic Byway is famous among locals and tourists but is usually not congested. Most people who travel the highway are alone with the trees. It’s the kind of drive that people take to get lost in their thoughts.
The Martin Grade Scenic Highway provides a beautiful adventure year-round. Each season, the canopy of trees changes and filters the light in a new way. The road is stunning and a wonderful place for a road trip. It’s the perfect place for a scenic road trip that showcases the Sunshine State’s grandeur.
