I really enjoyed my time at the Orlando wetlands. I think it a hidden gem for anyone interested in wildlife particularly birds and alligators. Admission is free. There are miles a trails that you can hike or take a ride on shuttle. In my opinion it is better to walk and explore than taking the shuttle so you can see things at your leisure. If mobility is an issue then take the shuttle it’s still interesting to hear from the volunteers who drive the shuttle on the different animals seen in wetlands and how the wetlands came to be.

The Wetlands is a remarkable location for nature enthusiasts, particularly those interested in wildlife observation. Located in Christmas, Florida, this area provides a serene escape into natural Florida. The wetlands are renowned for their diverse bird life, making it a prime spot for birdwatchers and photographers. You can expect to see a variety of species, with cranes and egrets frequently be seen gliding across the water or perched gracefully amidst the cypresses. The large populations of wading birds, including herons and storks, further add to the area's avian appeal. Alligators can often be seen basking in the sun near the water's edge. The wetlands offer a well-maintained network of trails for easy navigation and excellent viewing points. Interpretive signs at entrance offer insights into the ecosystem and the species that inhabit it, providing an educational component to the park. A memorable experience in the heart of Florida's wild side.

Beautiful, peaceful, serene located minutes from Orlando. A hidden gem, with lots of birds and alligators to see in the wild. Plenty of hiking trails, and a shuttle if you don't want to walk.

Lots of great facilities including educational information kiosks, pavilions with picnic benches, restrooms, the boardwalk, and wildlife viewing trails. Even when the parking lot is crowded, there seems to be plenty of room for everyone to be spread out across the property. The location is quite a ways away from actual Orlando, but that’s necessary to have the space for all of the great wildlife habitat they built here. Photographers with impressive, expensive equipment, families with young kids, small groups with binoculars, bike riders, and all sorts of folks enjoy the plentiful birds, reptiles, amphibians, and other critters. Some areas of the trails are relatively narrow, unpaved spots that go for long stretches without any shade or place to sit. Be sure to wear sun protection and bring plenty of water. We tried the hiking trail at the east side of the park, and I truly cannot recommend it. The map shows it as a relatively brief, straight line through forested habitat. We entered the trail at the north, where the bridges are, thinking it would be a neat way to get back toward the entrance. This was the least enjoyable part of the visit. The trail is not very well-maintained and is full of wild boar damage, creating muddy craters that breed mosquitos and slow down your pace so you can make sure there are no snakes in your path. There were a few wooden bridges that seemed a bit precarious, and the tail went on and on for so long that we thought we’d somehow gotten lost or took a wrong turn. Eventually, when we found the way out, we saw a sign that said the hiking trail would take 35 minutes. That heads up would’ve been nice at the other entrance! There were still some beautiful old oak trees full of air plants as well as native orchids and flowers along the way, so I’m glad we tried it; but I definitely won’t plan to take that route again. All in all, this park is absolutely worth the detour from Orlando and may be the place that you see some cool wildlife for the first time! For us, this park was the first place we saw neat birds like roseate spoonbills, purple galinules, belted kingfishers, and the famed vermilion flycatcher. You may find somewhat similar experiences at Apopka wildlife drive and the merrit island wildlife drive in terms of wetland habitats, but this park has nice amenities and doesn’t allow vehicles.

Hiking and looking for wildlife are some one of my favorite hobbies and wetlands are some of the best places to enjoy these activities. Orlando Wetlands Park was the first wetlands park created in Florida. Located in the town of Christmas, the park is 1650 acres. In the late 1980's Orlando was looking for a way to filter their waste water which they did by purchasing a ranch and converting the open pastures into a series of wetland cells of varying depths. The water is slowly and gently treated before it washes into the St. Johns River Floodplain. While the main purpose of the park is to clean the reclaimed water from Orlando and other local cities, a welcome byproduct of that is that it attracts a lot of wildlife. On my visit I saw many birds, alligators, and even a few harmless snakes. The park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. There are 20 miles of levees and natural trails in the woods to explore. The two major trail loops that start at the entrance pavilion are the 3.7-mile Lake Searcy Loop to the right and the 2-mile Birding Loop to the left which is the one I took. Photography and hiking are welcome activities in the park while cars, boats, drones, hunting, and fishing are strictly prohibited. The park is open every day from sunrise until sunset.