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1 |
Shingle Creek |
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2 |
Disney Wilderness Preserve |
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3 |
Lake Kissimmee State Park |
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4 |
Prairie Lake Unit, Three Lakes Wildlife Management
Area |
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5 |
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park |
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6 |
Hickory Hammock Management Area |
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7 |
Okee-Tantie Recreation Area (LOST) |
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8 |
Port Mayaca Lock |
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9 |
DuPuis Reserve |
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10 |
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife
Refuge |
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11 |
Everglades Wildlife Management Area |
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12 |
Biscayne National Park |
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13 |
Everglades National Park
COE
Visitor Center |
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14 |
Shark River Valley Loop
Road |
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15 |
Big Cypress National Preserve |
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16 |
Everglades National Park
Western
Entrance |
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17 |
Fakahatchee Strand State Park |
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18 |
Collier Seminole State Park |
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19 |
Rookery Bay National Estuarine
Research
Reserve |
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20 |
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge |
Florida
Panther National
Wildlife Refuge (20)
3860 Tollgate Boulevard, Suite 300
Naples, FL 34114
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for panthers,
bears, wood storks, ibises, and egrets. Refuge staff manage habitat with
prescribed burns, exotic plant removal, restoration projects, law enforcement,
and with partnerships. The refuge is mostly closed to the public, but take
a walking trail to experience the habitat of the panther - and look for tracks!
Trail is under construction. Call for current information.
Phone number for refuge information: (239) 353-8442
website: floridapanther.fws.gov
Rookery
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (19)
300 Tower Road
Naples, FL 34113
The Rookery Bay Reserve provides opportunities to observe wildlife, explore
habitats and learn about estuaries. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, boating,
and fishing. A new and much anticipated environmental learning center is
under construction and opens January 2004.
For information, phone (239) 417-6310
Visit our website at www.rookerybay.org
Collier-Seminole
State Park (18)
20200 East Tamiami Trail
Naples, FL 34114
Collier-Seminole State Park has a wealth of vegetation and wildlife that
is typical of the Everglades region of Florida. Enjoy hiking, camping, biking,
and birding (best during fall and winter months) amongst the mangroves and
tropical hardwood hammocks. Also, see the walking dredge used to build the
Tamiami Trail.
Phone Number: (239) 394-3397
website: www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/district4/
collier-seminole/index.asp
Fakahatchee Strand
Preserve State Park (17)
137 Coastline Drive,
Copeland, FL 34137
Featured in Susan Orlean’s book
The Orchid Thief and
the subsequent movie
Adaptation, this park has one of the most remarkable concentrations
and variety of orchids in the United States. The black bear, Florida panther,
and Everglades mink are also found within the Fakahatchee. A self-guided
boardwalk is available for the public to enjoy a leisurely walk through the
original growth cypress trees, or for the more adventuresome, approximately
60 miles of hiking trails are available. Park staff offers guided swamp walks
during the months of November through February.
Phone: (239) 695-4593
website:
www.floridastateparks.org
Big
Cypress
National Preserve (15)
33100 Tamiami Trail East
Ochopee, FL 34141
Big Cypress National Preserve includes over 729,000 acres of cypress swamp,
pinelands, hardwood hammocks, sawgrass prairies, and mangrove forests. As
the seasons change from the wet summer to the dry winter, visitors can view
a variety of animals, from alligators to wading birds, and enjoy fishing
along the scenic drives. Adventurous visitors can take a swamp walk, canoe
trip, or bike ride on their own or on a ranger-led trip for a closer look
at this environment. Rangers at the Big Cypress Visitor Center can provide
you with information to help you plan your trip. Here, you can also view
exhibits and a 13-minute film on the preserve.
Phone number (239) 695-1201
website: www.nps.gov/bicy
Biscayne
National Park (12)
9700 Southwest 328th Street
Homestead, FL 33033
For over 30 years Biscayne National Park has been protecting and preserving
a nationally significant marine ecosystem with mangrove shorelines, shallow
bay waters, lush subtropical islands, and living coral reefs. Explore the
mangroves on a walking trail. Canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving
are popular ways to enjoy the tropical landscape.
Phone number: (305) 230-PARK
website: www.nps.gov/bisc/
Everglades Wildlife
Management Area (11)
Alligator Alley I-75 Rest Area at Mile Marker 36
The 671,831-acre Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area
forms the northern and central core of the Everglades. From the Miami
Canal rest area on Interstate 75, which bisects the area, visitors will see
a vast sawgrass marsh dotted with tree islands. The sawgrass reaches heights
of 10 feet or more and provides important habitat to ground nesting birds
such as the American and least bittern. Tree islands provide critical habitat
for white-tailed deer, Florida panther, bobcat, migratory songbirds and many
other species. A variety of wading birds and raptors, such as the snail kite,
may be seen at this site. Visitors may launch boats at one of several boat
ramps, picnic, and learn more about the fascinating creatures of this area
from interpretive kiosks. More extensive educational exhibits are under development.
Phone: (954) 746-1789
website: myfwc.com/recreation/everglades/default.asp
DuPuis
Management Area (9)
State Road 76, approximately 3 miles East of Lake Okeechobee
Indiantown, Florida
The DuPuis Management Area on the northern edge of the original Everglades
presents opportunities to ride horses, camp, hunt, and walk along an interpretive
trail. A visitor center complete with exhibits teaches about the cultural
aspects of the reserve, including the indian mounds. The large expanse of
pine flatwoods and cypress swamps allows for excellent wildlife viewing.
Deer, turkey, caracara, and feral hogs are a few of the species you may see
during your time here.
Phone: (561) 924-5310
website: www.sfwmd.gov/org/clm/lsd/dupindex.html
Port Mayaca Lock (8)
18100 SW Conners Hwy
Canal Point, FL 33438
This site, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, features a great
view of Lake Okeechobee. Stop by to hike the trail, fish, or get some great
pictures of the abundant wildlife that resides there. Visitors can usually
see manatees, alligators, and diverse species of birds while visiting.
Phone (863) 983-8101
website: www.saj.usace.army.mil/recreation/index.html
Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail State
Park (7)
Appromixately 3 miles Southwest of U.S. 441 on State Road 78
Okeechobee, FL
This is a unique place in the lake region of Florida where the waters of
the Kissimmee River meld with Lake Okeechobee on the way to the Everglades.
LOST Trail features abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Some of the
species you may be lucky enough to see are the bald eagle, snail kites, and
sandhill cranes. While there, visitors can fish, bike, jog, canoe, or launch
a boat from the marina. Herbert Hoover Dike is also located on the premises.
Phone (305) 451-3005
website: www.myflorida.com
Hickory Hammock
Management Area (6)
U.S. Highway 98 between Lorida and Fort Basinger
A significant feature of this 8500 acre tract are the beautiful oak and
cabbage palm hammocks that separate the river floodplain from the upland
pastures. Visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking, camping, canoeing, and picnicking.
An array of birds, raccoons, skunks, and deer, as well as the occasional
panther or black bear, provide for excellent wildlife photography. Operated
by the South Florida Water Management District
Call toll free in Florida for information: (800) 432-2045
Direct number: (863) 462-5260
website: www.sfwmd.gov
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
State Park (5)
33104 NW 192nd Avenue
Okeechobee, FL 34972
This park features over 20,000 acres of undisturbed dry prairie, the largest
of its kind in the state. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve also offers many non-consumptive
activities for visitors, such as camping, hiking, biking, birding, and much
more. White-tailed deer and wild turkeys are common in the family campground
when in season.
Phone (863) 462-5360
website: www.floridastateparks.org
Prairie Lake Unit,
Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area (4)
25 miles South of St. Cloud on SR 523 (Canoe Creek Rd)
Prairie Lake Unit is
situated in the midst of the highest concentration of nesting bald eagles
in the United States. The dry prairie habitat fosters
much bird
life, and regardless of when one visits, chances of seeing a bald eagle are
high. In addition to bird watching, visitors can also hunt, fish, hike, and
camp while at Prairie Lake Unit.
Phone: (352) 732-1225
Web Site: myfwc.com/recreation/three_lakes/default.asp
Lake Kissimmee State Park (3)
14248 Camp Mack Road
Lake Wales, FL 33898
In addition to the camping, hiking, backpacking,
horseback riding trails, and boating, Lake Kissimmee State Park is also
a living history site on the
weekends and holidays. The site of a cow camp in the late 1800’s, Lake
Kissimmee State Park gives a historical perspective of central Florida. Personal
interpretive programming helps orient and educate visitors to the history
of the site.
Phone (863) 696-1112
website: www.floridastateparks.org
Shingle Creek (1)
11501 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32821
Shingle Creek, operated by the South Florida Water Management
District, features a hardwood swamp, pine islands, and a wide variety of
wildlife. Located within the hustle and bustle of urban Orlando, Shingle
Creek is a great place to unwind by hiking, biking, and camping. Stop by
to walk on the boardwalk or have a picnic. Trail under development.
Phone: (800) 250-4250
website: sfwmd.gov
Everglades National Park -
Western Entrance (16)
Everglades City
Everglades National Park preserves and protects over 1.6 million acres of
some of the best and most complete examples of the natural and cultural history
of South Florida. Everglades National Park has three entrances on the Everglades
Trail - wonderful opportunities are available at each entrance including
boat rides at the western entrance, a tram to an observation tower at Shark
River Valley Loop Road, and a series of interpretive features along the road
to Flamingo - ending at Florida Bay.
Phone number for general park information from Monday through Friday:
(305) 242-7700
website: www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
Everglades National Park -
COE Visitor Center (13)
40001 State Route 9336
Homestead, FL 33034
Everglades National Park preserves and protects over 1.6 million acres of
some of the best and most complete examples of the natural and cultural history
of South Florida. Everglades National Park has three entrances on the Everglades
Trail - wonderful opportunities are available at each entrance including
boat rides at the western entrance, a tram to an observation tower at Shark
River Valley Loop Road, and a series of interpretive features along the road
to Flamingo - ending at Florida Bay.
Phone number for general park information from Monday through Friday:
(305) 242-7700
website: www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee
National Wildlife Refuge (10)
10216 Lee Road
Boynton Beach, FL 33437-4796
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee
National Wildlife Refuge is a 145,800 acre refuge protecting the last remaining
portion of the unique northern Everglades. The refuge offers fishing, boating,
hiking, and bird watching. Boat ramps are available at Headquarters Area and
Hillsboro Recreation Area. An observation tower, fishing platform, visitor center,
canoe trail, and nature trails are found at the Headquarters Area.
For information, phone (561) 734-8303.
Visit our website at loxahatchee.fws.gov
Shark River Valley Loop Road (14)
Tamiami Trail
Everglades National Park preserves and protects over 1.6 million acres of
some of the best and most complete examples of the natural and cultural history
of South Florida. Everglades National Park has three entrances on the Everglades
Trail - wonderful opportunities are available at each entrance including
boat rides at the western entrance, a tram to an observation tower at Shark
River Valley Loop Road, and a series of interpretive features along the road
to Flamingo - ending at Florida Bay.
Phone number for general park information from Monday through Friday:
(305) 242-7700
website: www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
