Patch of Heaven Sanctuary is a very comfortable and relaxing place. If you're an anxious person…read morelike I am, this spot is especially soothing and great for calming the mind. There are tons of beautiful plants throughout the property, making it a peaceful place to explore. I visited in January when it was pretty cold, so there wasn't much natural activity, but even then there was still a lot to see. I'd definitely recommend visiting when it's warmer to experience it fully. The sanctuary sits on about 20 acres, so be prepared for a good amount of walking. They also have a horse stable with some beautiful horses, and a "Bee Hotel," which sounded funny at first but was actually really interesting to learn about. There's a small restaurant on-site called Thai Tapas. The menu is limited, but the food is really good. Overall, this is another great spot for nature lovers and anyone looking for a peaceful, grounding experience.

Tucked away in a corner of Homestead this lush garden has an Indonesian, Indian, zen vibe to it…read morewith plenty of waterfalls, butterflies, horses and birds. Well kept grounds, interesting pop up restaurant and nice koi ponds. Best to visit in the morning when the heat is not so overwhelming.....

Greenways are green spaces that have been closed to motorized vehicles in order to provide people a…read moresafe place to travel and exercise. With no cars, they are typically a great place to enjoy nature and spot wildlife. The Cypress Creek Greenway is 16.5 miles from the everglades to the ocean. The trail was mainly constructed between 2009 and 2012 and it is the longest stretch of paved recreational path in Broward County. The segment closest to where I live runs from Fern Forest Nature Center to 441. The entirety of the trail runs between Lyons Rd. and Sanibel Dr., just east of Sawgrass Expressway. The trail is asphalt and concrete making it ideal for walking, running, and biking. For three miles of the trail it parallels Southgate Boulevard on one side and the C-14 Canal on the other. While walking the greenway today I spotted wading birds and an Osprey diving for fish. The trail used to end at Fern forest but another segment was recently added that takes it to the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately the new segment of the trail is not directly linked to the old section. Instead you have to travel along the bike lane on Lyons Road 1.6 miles to McNab road before reconnecting to the Cypress Creek Greenway. Bike travel on Lyons road can be potentially dangerous. On the western end of the trail parking is available in Tamarac at Tephford Park Playground and the Gary B. Jones Park for People and Pups. On the east end of the trail parking is available at the end of Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach. There is also parking at Fern Forest nature Center. One thing to note is that the greenway does not have any shade so it is best in the cooler months. There are a few benches along the way and it passes the Margate Boat Ramp. I had an enjoyable time looking for birds and walking off some of the turkey day dinner today. With the dip in temperature, this is a a fun trail to come out and explore.

This trail area is a great spot to enjoy some nature right outside the city. All the pictures in…read morethis review were taken on a single 2-3 hour hike one morning/afternoon but on the Owahee canal trail, not Apoxee. I live right behind this trail, walking distance from my apartment (a rarity in this part of WPB) so I care about it quite a bit. There are certainly plenty of improvements that could be made. If you're not walking the Owahee canal trails on the outskirts, and trying to walk the actual Apoxee trail, it's almost always too flooded by rainfall to make it very far. There has been word of more elevated boardwalks for the trail, but no progress has been visible for a while. Still a great place for a nature hike in WPB.

I was walking this trail for years. I so loved it. Peaceful nature. Solitude, hardly ever saw…read morepeople. I would go many times a week. Now I cannot go anymore. After suffering a mild stroke at 76 I'm not yet able to go, especially alone as I always did. But still hopeful I might get back there. I've walked miles there, it's so peaceful and beautiful.

gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. lots of history here. had a private tour for my class's field trip…read more super cool place, they're doing a really amazing job restoring the forest

There is a lot of history here at this 15 acre preserve. The land is currently owned by EEL, the…read moreDepartment of Environmentally Endangered Lands. The preserve is named after Hattie Bauer a school teacher, whose pioneer family homesteaded in the early 1900's. Hattie passed away in 1961. The land became a private farm in 1922 and a year later it was sold to Lee Arthur Fennell who turned it into one of Miami's first roadside attractions, Fennell's Orchid Jungle which opened in 1923.. Four generations of the Fennell family occupied the land for 70 years until 1992 when Hurricane Andrew destroyed the attraction. Fortunately for the Fennell family their luck changed when they won several million dollars in the lottery. Shortly after that the land was was purchased by the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program and Florida Communities Trust who turned it into a preserve. In 1999 Orchid Jungle was designated as a historic site by Miami -Dade County. The preserve has a loop trail with interpretive boards. Some of the old historic Orchid Jungle buildings remain but you are not allowed to go in them. The trail goes through a tropical hardwood hammock lined with gumbo limbo and oak trees which add to the feeling that you are walking in a jungle. The preserve contains rare plant species including ferns that grow in the solution holes formed when acid rain eroded the oolitic limestone. The Miami-Dade Parks Department periodically runs $6 guided hikes through Hattie Bauer. Call (305) 242-7688 for future dates.

This is my favorite trail in Everglades NP. It has an elevated walkway above water and water…read morelillies. Park rangers lead frequent walks here, too. I think the entire walk is about a mile, but is suitable for those with limited mobility. I am not usually here in December, so I was surprised that I only saw one alligator. I usually visit in March/April, when it's gator mating season and I probably see a hundred. In the one area of the board walk, the great blue heron walked leisurely hunting small fish with no fear of a gator. There were minnows and even a decent sized fish. There is ample parking at the trail head, restrooms and a gift shop. They furnish blue tarps to protect vehicles from vultures, which can be particularly bad at some times of the year. This is the most scenic, walkable trail in the park.

The best nature trail I have visited for a long time. Flat accessible trail/ all paved or wood…read moreboardwalk. Bird watching, gator watching, flora and fauna were extraordinary! Saw four gators, spoonbills, blue herons and much more. Fast trip over from Lauderdale or Miami. I went on a rainy day and it was excellent activity.

Bear Cut Preserve is located in Crandon Park at Key Biscayne. The preserve is on the shores of…read moreBiscayne Bay. In the nature center I learned that the preserve got its name from the Florida black bears that used to swim from Virginia Key to Key Biscayne. I guess even bears enjoy a beach day. Trails for the preserve begin at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Nature Center. The first trails you come to are the Tequesta Hammock Trail and the Bear Cut Nature Trail. Both trails are natural earth and are .3 miles long. They loop around through a tropical hardwood hammock. On the day I visited they were filled with mosquitoes. The 1.3 mile Osprey Trail is paved and perfect for bikes. It ends in a boardwalk that overlooks a 6,000 year old fossilized mangrove forest reef and gives a spectacular view of downtown Miami. You have to pay for parking in Crandon Park. You will also want to bring bug spray, sunscreen, and water. After you finish your hike you can visit the nature center, hang out on the beach, or explore the botanical garden on the other side of the park.

Bear Cut Preserve is located at the northern end of North Beach on Crandon Park. Named for when…read morebears swam to Key BISCAYNE from the mainland. Upon entering the park, make a left and head to the northern end of the parking lot. Bear Cut has three trails: 1) Tequesta [1/4 mile]; 2) Bear Cut [1/2 mile]; and Osprey and a Nature Center. The Center has exhibits and explains the unique flora and fauna of the Preserve. Pick up a trail guide at the Nature Center. All trails are accesible to the north of the Nature Center and are clearly marked. Tequesta and Bear Cut are more shaded and smaller than the Osprey trail, and cover part of the Hardwood Hammock ecosystem. The Osprey trail is on soft sand, paved and board walk. It takes you by the sand dunes and mangrove forest on an elevated board walk. It is 1.3 miles from the Nature Center to the highlight of the Preserve: a fossilized mangrove swamp that dates 2,000 years ago and is one of only 2 in the world, with the other in Japan. The board walk takes you through the swamp and has an observation platform at the end overlooking the fossilized mangrove. The trail has spurs along the trail that takes you to the beach. The more you walk the more secluded you are. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen