Florida is home to 175 state parks, trails, and historic sites, with countless other wildlife refuges and wildlife drives. Looking back at 2018, we visited numerous places we consider to be natural Florida – some of them more than once. Links to the original posts are embedded within the descriptions.
Pioneer Park, Zolfo Springs
Encompassing more than 115 acres, Pioneer Park sits at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and State Road 64 in Zolfo Springs in Hardee County. The picturesque Peace River meanders through the park and serves as the source of many activities, from kayaking to canoeing, and even fossil hunting.
Other points of interest include the Hardee County Wildlife Refuge, the old pool house and the Cracker Trail Museum. One of our favorite spots is the Pioneer Village which houses an old cabin, a blacksmith shop, and an old locomotive.
If you plan to visit, you might want to plan for February 28 through March 2 in order to experience the 51st Annual Pioneer Park Days. You can find out more about the event in our original post here.
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
It’s hard to imagine someone living in the city relishing a two- or three-hour, eleven-mile drive. But what if that drive steers you away from the clogged highways and winds through a wildlife paradise? Whether you are looking for a leisurely way to spend the day or a chance to see Florida’s wildlife up close, the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is well worth the time.
From the moment you enter the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, the melody of Mother Nature replaces the sound of the city. On both sides of the single-lane, hard-packed shell road, birds wade along the shoreline, alligators glide through the water, and osprey circle overhead. It is a photographer’s playground and a wildlife lover’s wonderland.
Since it is only 20 minutes from home, we have been to the drive four times over the past year. Each time provided a new experience for us – whether it was a bird or animal we hadn’t seen before or the sheer number of alligators out sunning themselves.
Make sure to take along your camera and binoculars because there are so many photo opportunities. To truly enjoy the drive, plan on at least two hours and remember to be patient. Even though there are areas to pull over, most of the drive is single-lane and it’s not uncommon to be in a line of slow-moving cars with occupants looking at all there is to see.
The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive begins at Lust Road and ends on Jones Avenue, and is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from sunrise to sunset.
Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Gainesville
Sweetwater Wetlands is a man-made habitat located on the north end of Paynes Prairie in Gainesville. The park, which is said to be shaped like an alligator head, was created to improve the water quality in the Alachua Sink and the Floridan Aquifer. With more than three and a half miles of easy trails on 125 acres, Sweetwater Wetlands offers amazing views of plants, animals, and more than 215 species of birds. If you’re lucky, you will be able to see the wild horses or bison that roam the prairie. Of the two times we have been to the park, we have been able to see some of the horses. Viewing platforms, trails and boardwalks provide an up-close view of nature at its finest.
The park is open seven days a week, even on holidays, from 7:00 a.m. until sunset. There is a $5.00 entrance fee for the park.
FM Notes
With a renewed annual pass to Florida State Parks, we will be adding more to our 2019 calendar. Leave a comment with your favorite park to visit in Florida.
