2025-04-16 04:34:19
On Florida’s Paradise Coast, you’re never far from natural beauty that will whisk you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Soak up the sights and sounds of the region’s wonderfully wild nature preserves.
Everglades National Park
Discover the gateway to the western Everglades. It doesn’t get more epic than this unspoiled, 1.5-million-acre subtropical wilderness.
Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Stroll through pine flatwoods and wet prairies into the largest old-growth Bald Cypress forest in North America. The sanctuary’s most famous “resident” is the elusive ghost orchid – the largest that’s ever been discovered.
Big Cypress National Preserve
Covering over 729,000 acres, this preserve is home to diverse wildlife. Go on a guided swamp walk, serene paddle or photo safari to take in the sights of this stunning preserve.
Ten Thousand Islands
This expansive labyrinth of land, water and mangrove forests off the coast is home to abundant species of plants, terrestrial animals and marine life. Paddling is the best way to explore them up close; there’s an easy kayak trail at Sandfly Island.
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
The largest state park in Florida, this incredible sanctuary is home to rare plant and animal species. A 2,500-foot boardwalk winds through beautiful wetlands and ends at an observation deck over a pond of alligators.
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