ECOTOURISM
Hikers in Everglades National Park
FEATURED LINKS
CENTRAL EAST
Archie Carr National Wildlife Reserve
fws.gov/archiecarr
Blue Spring State Park
floridastateparks.org/bluespring
Friends of Sebastian Inlet State Park, Inc.
friendsofsebastianinletstatepark.org
Lyonia Preserve
lyoniapreserve.com
Manatee Observation & Education Center
manateecenter.com
Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve
fws.gov/merrittisland
Pelican Island National Wildlife Reserve
fws.gov/pelicanisland
Sebastian Inlet State Park
floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet
Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival
spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org
RANCH ADVENTURES
Florida's ranchers have opened their doors to
invite guests to see the connections between
working the landscape and preserving native
wildlife. One of the earliest to do so, Florida
EcoSafaris, is based at Crescent J Ranch west of
Melbourne in Central East Florida. Take a
swamp buggy ride, explore the vast open spaces
on horseback or ride a zip line through the
canopy at their Forever Florida preserve.
Northeast of Fort Myers in Southwest
Florida, the Telegraph Swamp is a vast mosaic
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2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
of cypress strands and open prairies. Explore
these wild spaces, where Florida panthers hide
and sandhill cranes roam, on a guided swamp
buggy tour at Babcock Wilderness Adventures,
centered on a working cattle ranch.
St. Johns River Cruises
sjrivercruises.com
CENTRAL
Bill's Airboat Adventures
airboating1.com
Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida
BACKPACKER'S DELIGHT
floridaecosafaris.com
During the winter months, backpacking season
in Florida is at its peak, and there are thousands
of miles of trails from which to choose. Stretching
from the Big Cypress Swamp in Southwest
Florida to Pensacola Beach in the Panhandle, the
1,400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail attracts
hikers from around the world to experience its
extreme diversity, from the sparkling sands of
Pensacola Beach to the vast prairies of Central
Florida. A 60-plus-mile segment in the Ocala
National Forest in Central Florida is the most
popular section, leading past beauty spots such
as Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs. Near
Pensacola, a 43-mile section follows the
Blackwater River and its tributaries through
Blackwater River State Forest, with its rolling hills
and shady pine forests. Nearly 60 miles of the trail
follow the bluffs of the Suwannee River, offering
places to camp on sandy shores and rugged
climbs in and out of ravines.
Hiking in Florida differs from the rest of the
United States: trails are best enjoyed from
October through April, when insect hordes diminish and temperatures are cooler. Flatter
terrain does not mean easier walking, since soil
composition differs tremendously, and includes
both soft sand and slippery muck. It can freeze
during Florida's winters, so be prepared with
suitable clothing and gear when backpacking. FL
Ocala National Forest
fs.usda.gov/ocala
Orlando Wetlands Park
cityoforlando.net/public_works/wetlands
Premier Boat Tours
doracanaltour.com
Tiger Creek Preserve
nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/
unitedstates/florida/placesweprotect/
tiger-creek-preserve.xml
CENTRAL WEST
Bird's Underwater Inc.
birdsunderwater.com
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Reserve
fws.gov/chassahowitzka
Crystal River Manatee Tours
floridamanateetours.com
Crystal River National Wildlife Reserve
fws.gov/crystalriver
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs
Wildlife State Park
floridastateparks.org/homosassasprings
Operation Migration
operationmigration.org
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA
St. Marks National Wildlife Reserve
fws.gov/saintmarks
Suwannee River Wilderness Trail
floridastateparks.org/wilderness
NORTHWEST
Holmes Creek Canoe Livery
holmescreekcanoelivery.com
PHOTO: GEORGE BURBA/SHUTTERSTOCK
In Central Florida near Lakeland, Circle B
Bar Ranch has its own "Alligator Alley," where
hikers need to be alert to alligators sunning.
Orlando Wetlands Park is a prime location for
gators and migratory birds.
With comfortable boardwalk strolls for families, both Green Cay Wetlands and
Wakodahatchee Wetlands are oases of nature
near West Palm Beach in Southeast Florida.
Need more distance from these toothsome
reptiles? An airboat ride may be just your speed.
Not all airboat rides are created equal—some
focus on thrills rather than education—so go
with a guide who's knowledgeable about wildlife.
Billie Swamp Safari, on the Big Cypress Seminole
Reservation in Southeast Florida, showcases native fauna from their airboats, as does Big O
Airboat Tours, treating you to an unparalleled
panorama along one of America's largest lakes,
Lake Okeechobee. In Central Florida, Bill's
Airboat Adventures offers an up-close look at
the St. Johns River with a knowledgeable guide
who'll tailor the tour to your interests.
