Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
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Highly recommend! It's a great place to get away from all of the touristy things in the area, I enjoyed the peace and quiet that it offered me. The first half of the walk was very dull to me, did not see anything for the most part with the exception of a little lizard on the boardwalk, I believe the reason is because of the severe drought that's going on. But the second part was just awesome! So many great birds! A big tortoise and even an alligator! I have some difficulty getting around due to arthritis but it's a very easy walk! The welcome center is very nice as well! Met some nice "birders" from all over but it was great to do the walk solo and have time to think! Do it!
Another nice nature preserve to visit in SW Florida. Audubon's Corkscrew is a swamp with lots of history behind it, they have been around for 70 years. This is an easy opportunity to get a glimpse inside the Everglades and its natural beauty. There's a big parking lot, a couple of restrooms before you get to the ticket booth. $17 general admission, you can pay on the spot or buy online ahead of time! Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. last admission at 3 p.m. You basically walk on a long wooded boardwalk (a bit over 2 miles) and check out the nature around you, see how lucky you are that day and what the nature will have in store for you. There are benches to rest here and there and shady spots. Wear comfy shoes, bring water and a camera to zoom in, the phone might not be enough! No gators for us that day, but we saw a racoon climbing in a tree, lots of cool birds, a frog and a few woodpeckers, the biggest in Northern America. Lots of pretty wild flowers. Just stop, look around, you never know. Some other visitors, but far from crowded. Very peaceful and relaxing place. Great visit, definitely check it out if you spend some time in Naples area!
One of the coolest parts of this boardwalk is the chalkboard at the head of the walk where all the sightings of the day are posted and you can add yours at the end of the loop. We managed to see an alligator on our loop but you will see ghost orchids, snails, birds, and maybe even see a bear! The loop is well maintained (though creaky at times so you will have to be extra soft-footed to be quiet). There are lookout points that are covered for shade. The gift shop has quite a diverse selection (the local sugar cookies were phenomenal) and they have a little cafe.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a hidden gem to explore Florida's wildlife. The boardwalk trail is incredibly well-maintained, winding through old-growth cypress forest, wetlands, and open prairies. The staff and volunteers are passionate and very knowledgeable. If you're anywhere near the Naples area and want a truly memorable experience outdoors, this is a must-visit!
What a wonderful place. If you are into birding and nature this is a must stop. It is amazing that there are miles of boardwalk here. I kept thinking of what it must take to keep this place in good repair given the harsh Florida conditions. They now require a reservation and the last entry is at 1pm. The earlier the better. Don't plan to rush through or you will shortchange your experience. We were there almost 3 hours. Bring your binoculars and camera. We saw dozens of different types of birds and a few gators. There are many volunteers along the paths to answer questions and point out birds. It is worth the time and the price of admission.
The Corkscrew Swamp is located in the heart of the Everglades and features a 2.5 mile walk on pathways featuring trees, wet marsh, and plenty of animals within the ecosystem. We did not see any alligators, though is home to hundreds of them. It costs $17 for general admission and tickets must be purchased prior to coming. I highly suggest buying tickets online while you are on your way to the Swamp. The service is not so great, and there is a chance you will not be able to load the internet. You can not purchase tickets at the desk at this time. The swamp is home to many different types of birds. As we walked through the passages, we heard the beautiful sound of birds chirping. We saw wading birds fly over us. We listened quiety to the peaceful sound of nature surrounding us. We saw two Great Egrets during our journey which was super exciting. We heard woodpeckers, and saw red cardinals and blue jays among other birds. We even saw a racoon that was swimming in the water and ended up on the pathway for a bit. We saw a few squirrels as well. It was super exciting to sit down on some of the benches and take in the nature around us. It was such a peaceful and beautiful experience. Lastly, we were able to stop in and look at the beautiful shop. There were so many cute items that I really wanted to purchase, but we only brought a small duffle bag with us on the plane. Next time I visit, I will have to bring a suitcase to take more souvenires home with me. I highly recommend stopping in. Be mindful that this walk could take an hour or two of time to get through. They do have a shortcut for those that want to head back sooner.
My family has visited the Corkscrew Sanctuary several times. Each time we've come, we have thoroughly enjoyed the visit. This time around, though, due to weather and the time of year, we were not able to see as much wildlife as we had previously. But, it was still a great experience. You truly get to see what Florida must have looked like before it was developed in so many areas. The greenery and vegetation is spectacular. Flowers, trees -- it's amazing. The sounds you hear while walking the boardwalk give you the impression that you are deep in the forest. Previously we've seen multiple alligators (this time we only saw a few) along with bobcats, deer, all sorts of birds and some very unusual insects! This is a must-see if you're in the area. Bring bug spray with you in case the mosquitos are active. Be sure to visit the restroom before you begin your journey on the boardwalk, since there are no facilities along the way. It's also advised to bring a bottle of water with you in case you need it - and please don't litter and leave it along the trail! Reservations are required (easily done online with a QR code that's emailed to you for entry). This is a great place to visit, and it's especially intriguing for children since it feels as if you're in the midst of a jungle while you walk. Definitely worth the trip.
An hour drive from Naples and 100% worth a visit! Incredible 2+ mile boardwalk, for a leisurely nature walk across multiple habitats. Currently requires advance recommendation. I would also purchase the supplemental book, for $2.40 and details the wildlife and plant life of the park. I would recommend a morning visit, where the birds and wildlife might be a bit more active and crowds might be a bit thinner.
Beautiful place with great staff. Nothing but great experiences and easy to walk barefoot or in flip flops.
We spent a long weekend in Naples and wanted to spend a day off the beach. Corkscrew Swamp Preserve was by and large the most often suggested place to visit. We're huge nature lovers so we made the drive from our hotel to see what the "swamp" had to offer. I'm glad we read the reviews that suggested long sleeves and pants. Even early in the day, the heat was rather oppressive but we remained "bite free" and that was a relief. IF you wear shorts or short sleeves, wear big repellent. You've been warned. The all wood, winding boardwalk trail meanders almost 2.5 miles and although a few spots were closed for wood repair and to protect nesting birds, it was a lovely self guided stroll through nature at its finest. We opted not to attend the guided tour as we enjoy our own pace., but they do have guided tours that can give you more detailed info about plant life, the ecosystem, and the history of the Preserve. We spotted fresh "scat" from bobcats and panther but the animals were long gone as we arrived by 10AM. They said you'll see different animals at different times of the day. Next time we'll try to get there super early. They open at 7AM so you may catch an animal headed to bed. We were fascinated by the size of the cypress trees, and the fig vines that wrap themselves around these giant trees were quite remarkable. They can choke out an entire tree!! Despite the temperature reaching the 90's that day, the canopy cover sheltered us for most of our walk. This activity is perfect for nature photography, bird watching, plant observing, and is family friendly. They encourage you to be quiet so you don't scare any animals away. IMO, bringing babies may not be a great idea. The boardwalk is wheelchair friendly if you have good wheels or a strong person to push. We'll be back for another attempt at spotting animals. This is a solid 4/5 if you are a TRUE nature enthusiast.
Great for nature/photography walks and quiet contemplation. The boardwalk trail is 2.25 miles and takes you past pine flatwood, wet prairie, marsh and Bald Cypress forest. Follow signage from the parking lot to the main building. This is where you will purchase admission ($14 per Adult), receive information, find restrooms, have the opportunity to purchase water or food and explore their gift shop. There are a few strategically placed benches and a couple covered areas providing shade along the boardwalk. We visited on a very busy Saturday afternoon in February. There were people everywhere and it was challenging to get away from them enough to enjoy the boardwalk at times. Despite the challenges presented by other humans, we were able to enjoy spending time here and glimpsing some of the wildlife that calls the area home, including: a Barred Owl, several Red Shoulder Hawks, a number of wading birds, a few Alligator, a Raccoon and plenty of scampering Squirrel. This is a very nice resource and we were happy to visit but this was a pricey option. There was nothing here we couldn't experience at other venues that are either free or a much lower cost.
At the end of the 1800's plume hunters had almost wiped out the wild wading bird population in the Everglades in Florida. Birds were killed so their feathers could adorn women's hats. Hunters would kill and skin the birds leaving the hatchlings to die in the nest. An entire rookery of several hundred birds could be wiped out in two to three days. More than 5 million birds were killed every year leading up to the 1900's. That is the reason why you can no longer see flamingos wild in Florida anymore, they were hunted out of existence. In 1896 a Boston society matron named Harriet Hemenway and her cousin Minna Hall took up the plight of the birds. The women started a campaign to boycott the hats and pass legislation to protect the birds. The fledgling Audubon Society partnered with the women in order to pass laws that saved the birds from extinction. This action spawned efforts that led to the protection of the land making up the Corkscrew Swamp. Birds were protected here starting in 1905. In 1954 the Corkscrew Cypress Rookery Association formed to protect the last largest remaining strands of Bald Cypress Trees. The trees were being decimated due to excessive logging in the area in the 1940's and 50's. 17 miles of land was donated or purchased mainly from Lee Tidewater Cypress Center and Collier Enterprises. The National Audubon Society took over management of the land and built the first boardwalks in 1955. Today when you walk along the boardwalk you can see a number of trees that they list as landmarks that would have otherwise been lost to logging. When you visit this sanctuary you can see the wading birds so many people fought so hard to protect. Admission to Corkscrew is $14. The entry price is higher than other parks and natural areas I have visited. It's on par with going to a National Park but after visiting Corkscrew I think it is worth it to maintain the boardwalks and protect the wildlife. The entry price gains you access to the visitors center which shows a movie and has tanks containing baby alligators, art, a small cafe, and a gift shop. In the visitors center you can purchase a $3 guide book and see the different times when naturalists lead walks. I would have loved to sign up for one of those guided walks since they know where to find the wildlife but I was on a tight time schedule. If you can I recommend coming early and taking advantage of the ability to tour with a guide. Behind the visitors center is a 2 mile long boardwalk that takes you through pine flat woods, wet prairie, pond and bald cypress trees, and marsh ecosystems. Some portions of the boardwalk were damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and parts of it remain closed. The sanctuary is part of the Great American Birding Trail. It serves as a breeding area for the endangered Woodstock and other Florida wetland birds. Wading bird species that can be found here include tricolor herons, great and snowy egrets, and Great Blue Herons. Other birds found here include limpkins, barred owls, and swallow tailed kites. A highlight of my visit was when a Red Shoulder Hawk landed close to me on the boardwalk. Alligators and cottonmouth snakes are also found here. I loved my visit here. My only wish was that I had more time. It's a bit of a drive to get here but I love the feeling of being in the real Florida. It is well worth making the trip to this historic sanctuary where the wildlife know they are safe and protected and can live freely the way they were meant to.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a jewel, owned and operated by the Audubon Society in eastern Collier County, FL The sanctuary conserves 13,000 magnificent acres, and not only protects a fragile 500-year-old forest of bald cypress trees which had been slated for timber sale (like its neighboring forests had been), but also provides vital habitat for migratory and permanent wildlife, some of which are on the endangered and threatened lists. In addition to the cypress forest, Corkscrew contains strangler figs, native grasses, pond apple and red maple trees, as well as the seasonal ghost orchid plant. Egrets, heron, ibis, anhingas, and other migratory birds call this home, as well as gators, turtles, deer, and owls. A 2.2 mile boardwalk protects the delicate environment as well as the visitors as they wind their way through the cypress forest, pine flatwoods, swamp, and wetlands. Various side branches of the boardwalk take you to other points of interest, including a raised platform overlooking the prairie. The trail lead us through the pine flatwoods and along the wet prairie, where grasses and ferns mixed with scraggly trees. Once in the cypress grove, we were surrounded by towering trees that shade a bonanza of ponds and swamps teeming with birds. Corkscrew is an amazing place that I'm so happy I was able to experience.
11 months ago
It's always a treat visiting Corkscrew. I feel at peace immersed in its beauty. I wish I could visit often, but I make it out at least 3 times a year. Coming from Miami, the 2+ hour drive drive let's me visit always mid-day, but on the rare occasion that I leave in the wee hours of the morning, I get treated with loads of animal sighting. Visit often, treat nature kindly, and visit/buy all the beautiful trinkets at the gift shop. read more
6 months ago
I do want to say that I love Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and have been going since I was a kid. This time, I got to bring my kids who are 12 (twins). My caveat is, perhaps, to call the Sanctuary and see how dry it is? When we visited, there was no "swamp" to be seen for much of it, and I've been many times so I knew where the water was supposed to be but because of the drought - nope. This made about 75% of the boardwalk walk very boring for my kids as there really were no animals to see. It was only when you get to the lettuce lake area that we spotted a few alligators. I was not happy that we drove an hour for my kids to not see much and be bored (and frankly, so was I). The Audubon does a fantastic job, the visitor center is wonderful, and the info on the trails is great...but the "no swamp swamp" got to us on this visit. read more
7 months ago
Highly recommend! It's a great place to get away from all of the touristy things in the area, I enjoyed the peace and quiet that it offered me. The first half of the walk was very dull to me, did not see anything for the most part with the exception of a little lizard on the boardwalk, I believe the reason is because of the severe drought that's going on. But the second part was just awesome! So many great birds! A big tortoise and even an alligator! I have some difficulty getting around due to arthritis but it's a very easy walk! The welcome center is very nice as well! Met some nice "birders" from all over but it was great to do the walk solo and have time to think! Do it! read more
Another nice nature preserve to visit in SW Florida. Audubon's Corkscrew is a swamp with lots of history behind it, they have been around for 70 years. This is an easy opportunity to get a glimpse inside the Everglades and its natural beauty. There's a big parking lot, a couple of restrooms before you get to the ticket booth. $17 general admission, you can pay on the spot or buy online ahead of time! Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. last admission at 3 p.m. You basically walk on a long wooded boardwalk (a bit over 2 miles) and check out the nature around you, see how lucky you are that day and what the nature will have in store for you. There are benches to rest here and there and shady spots. Wear comfy shoes, bring water and a camera to zoom in, the phone might not be enough! No gators for us that day, but we saw a racoon climbing in a tree, lots of cool birds, a frog and a few woodpeckers, the biggest in Northern America. Lots of pretty wild flowers. Just stop, look around, you never know. Some other visitors, but far from crowded. Very peaceful and relaxing place. Great visit, definitely check it out if you spend some time in Naples area! read more
6 months ago
7 months ago
One of the coolest parts of this boardwalk is the chalkboard at the head of the walk where all the sightings of the day are posted and you can add yours at the end of the loop. We managed to see an alligator on our loop but you will see ghost orchids, snails, birds, and maybe even see a bear! The loop is well maintained (though creaky at times so you will have to be extra soft-footed to be quiet). There are lookout points that are covered for shade. The gift shop has quite a diverse selection (the local sugar cookies were phenomenal) and they have a little cafe. read more
1 year ago
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a hidden gem to explore Florida's wildlife. The boardwalk trail is incredibly well-maintained, winding through old-growth cypress forest, wetlands, and open prairies. The staff and volunteers are passionate and very knowledgeable. If you're anywhere near the Naples area and want a truly memorable experience outdoors, this is a must-visit! read more
2 years ago
7 months ago
What a wonderful place. If you are into birding and nature this is a must stop. It is amazing that there are miles of boardwalk here. I kept thinking of what it must take to keep this place in good repair given the harsh Florida conditions. They now require a reservation and the last entry is at 1pm. The earlier the better. Don't plan to rush through or you will shortchange your experience. We were there almost 3 hours. Bring your binoculars and camera. We saw dozens of different types of birds and a few gators. There are many volunteers along the paths to answer questions and point out birds. It is worth the time and the price of admission. read more
The Corkscrew Swamp is located in the heart of the Everglades and features a 2.5 mile walk on pathways featuring trees, wet marsh, and plenty of animals within the ecosystem. We did not see any alligators, though is home to hundreds of them. It costs $17 for general admission and tickets must be purchased prior to coming. I highly suggest buying tickets online while you are on your way to the Swamp. The service is not so great, and there is a chance you will not be able to load the internet. You can not purchase tickets at the desk at this time. The swamp is home to many different types of birds. As we walked through the passages, we heard the beautiful sound of birds chirping. We saw wading birds fly over us. We listened quiety to the peaceful sound of nature surrounding us. We saw two Great Egrets during our journey which was super exciting. We heard woodpeckers, and saw red cardinals and blue jays among other birds. We even saw a racoon that was swimming in the water and ended up on the pathway for a bit. We saw a few squirrels as well. It was super exciting to sit down on some of the benches and take in the nature around us. It was such a peaceful and beautiful experience. Lastly, we were able to stop in and look at the beautiful shop. There were so many cute items that I really wanted to purchase, but we only brought a small duffle bag with us on the plane. Next time I visit, I will have to bring a suitcase to take more souvenires home with me. I highly recommend stopping in. Be mindful that this walk could take an hour or two of time to get through. They do have a shortcut for those that want to head back sooner. read more
My family has visited the Corkscrew Sanctuary several times. Each time we've come, we have thoroughly enjoyed the visit. This time around, though, due to weather and the time of year, we were not able to see as much wildlife as we had previously. But, it was still a great experience. You truly get to see what Florida must have looked like before it was developed in so many areas. The greenery and vegetation is spectacular. Flowers, trees -- it's amazing. The sounds you hear while walking the boardwalk give you the impression that you are deep in the forest. Previously we've seen multiple alligators (this time we only saw a few) along with bobcats, deer, all sorts of birds and some very unusual insects! This is a must-see if you're in the area. Bring bug spray with you in case the mosquitos are active. Be sure to visit the restroom before you begin your journey on the boardwalk, since there are no facilities along the way. It's also advised to bring a bottle of water with you in case you need it - and please don't litter and leave it along the trail! Reservations are required (easily done online with a QR code that's emailed to you for entry). This is a great place to visit, and it's especially intriguing for children since it feels as if you're in the midst of a jungle while you walk. Definitely worth the trip. read more
An hour drive from Naples and 100% worth a visit! Incredible 2+ mile boardwalk, for a leisurely nature walk across multiple habitats. Currently requires advance recommendation. I would also purchase the supplemental book, for $2.40 and details the wildlife and plant life of the park. I would recommend a morning visit, where the birds and wildlife might be a bit more active and crowds might be a bit thinner. read more
3 years ago
Beautiful place with great staff. Nothing but great experiences and easy to walk barefoot or in flip flops. read more
We spent a long weekend in Naples and wanted to spend a day off the beach. Corkscrew Swamp Preserve was by and large the most often suggested place to visit. We're huge nature lovers so we made the drive from our hotel to see what the "swamp" had to offer. I'm glad we read the reviews that suggested long sleeves and pants. Even early in the day, the heat was rather oppressive but we remained "bite free" and that was a relief. IF you wear shorts or short sleeves, wear big repellent. You've been warned. The all wood, winding boardwalk trail meanders almost 2.5 miles and although a few spots were closed for wood repair and to protect nesting birds, it was a lovely self guided stroll through nature at its finest. We opted not to attend the guided tour as we enjoy our own pace., but they do have guided tours that can give you more detailed info about plant life, the ecosystem, and the history of the Preserve. We spotted fresh "scat" from bobcats and panther but the animals were long gone as we arrived by 10AM. They said you'll see different animals at different times of the day. Next time we'll try to get there super early. They open at 7AM so you may catch an animal headed to bed. We were fascinated by the size of the cypress trees, and the fig vines that wrap themselves around these giant trees were quite remarkable. They can choke out an entire tree!! Despite the temperature reaching the 90's that day, the canopy cover sheltered us for most of our walk. This activity is perfect for nature photography, bird watching, plant observing, and is family friendly. They encourage you to be quiet so you don't scare any animals away. IMO, bringing babies may not be a great idea. The boardwalk is wheelchair friendly if you have good wheels or a strong person to push. We'll be back for another attempt at spotting animals. This is a solid 4/5 if you are a TRUE nature enthusiast. read more
Great for nature/photography walks and quiet contemplation. The boardwalk trail is 2.25 miles and takes you past pine flatwood, wet prairie, marsh and Bald Cypress forest. Follow signage from the parking lot to the main building. This is where you will purchase admission ($14 per Adult), receive information, find restrooms, have the opportunity to purchase water or food and explore their gift shop. There are a few strategically placed benches and a couple covered areas providing shade along the boardwalk. We visited on a very busy Saturday afternoon in February. There were people everywhere and it was challenging to get away from them enough to enjoy the boardwalk at times. Despite the challenges presented by other humans, we were able to enjoy spending time here and glimpsing some of the wildlife that calls the area home, including: a Barred Owl, several Red Shoulder Hawks, a number of wading birds, a few Alligator, a Raccoon and plenty of scampering Squirrel. This is a very nice resource and we were happy to visit but this was a pricey option. There was nothing here we couldn't experience at other venues that are either free or a much lower cost. read more
At the end of the 1800's plume hunters had almost wiped out the wild wading bird population in the Everglades in Florida. Birds were killed so their feathers could adorn women's hats. Hunters would kill and skin the birds leaving the hatchlings to die in the nest. An entire rookery of several hundred birds could be wiped out in two to three days. More than 5 million birds were killed every year leading up to the 1900's. That is the reason why you can no longer see flamingos wild in Florida anymore, they were hunted out of existence. In 1896 a Boston society matron named Harriet Hemenway and her cousin Minna Hall took up the plight of the birds. The women started a campaign to boycott the hats and pass legislation to protect the birds. The fledgling Audubon Society partnered with the women in order to pass laws that saved the birds from extinction. This action spawned efforts that led to the protection of the land making up the Corkscrew Swamp. Birds were protected here starting in 1905. In 1954 the Corkscrew Cypress Rookery Association formed to protect the last largest remaining strands of Bald Cypress Trees. The trees were being decimated due to excessive logging in the area in the 1940's and 50's. 17 miles of land was donated or purchased mainly from Lee Tidewater Cypress Center and Collier Enterprises. The National Audubon Society took over management of the land and built the first boardwalks in 1955. Today when you walk along the boardwalk you can see a number of trees that they list as landmarks that would have otherwise been lost to logging. When you visit this sanctuary you can see the wading birds so many people fought so hard to protect. Admission to Corkscrew is $14. The entry price is higher than other parks and natural areas I have visited. It's on par with going to a National Park but after visiting Corkscrew I think it is worth it to maintain the boardwalks and protect the wildlife. The entry price gains you access to the visitors center which shows a movie and has tanks containing baby alligators, art, a small cafe, and a gift shop. In the visitors center you can purchase a $3 guide book and see the different times when naturalists lead walks. I would have loved to sign up for one of those guided walks since they know where to find the wildlife but I was on a tight time schedule. If you can I recommend coming early and taking advantage of the ability to tour with a guide. Behind the visitors center is a 2 mile long boardwalk that takes you through pine flat woods, wet prairie, pond and bald cypress trees, and marsh ecosystems. Some portions of the boardwalk were damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and parts of it remain closed. The sanctuary is part of the Great American Birding Trail. It serves as a breeding area for the endangered Woodstock and other Florida wetland birds. Wading bird species that can be found here include tricolor herons, great and snowy egrets, and Great Blue Herons. Other birds found here include limpkins, barred owls, and swallow tailed kites. A highlight of my visit was when a Red Shoulder Hawk landed close to me on the boardwalk. Alligators and cottonmouth snakes are also found here. I loved my visit here. My only wish was that I had more time. It's a bit of a drive to get here but I love the feeling of being in the real Florida. It is well worth making the trip to this historic sanctuary where the wildlife know they are safe and protected and can live freely the way they were meant to. read more
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a jewel, owned and operated by the Audubon Society in eastern Collier County, FL The sanctuary conserves 13,000 magnificent acres, and not only protects a fragile 500-year-old forest of bald cypress trees which had been slated for timber sale (like its neighboring forests had been), but also provides vital habitat for migratory and permanent wildlife, some of which are on the endangered and threatened lists. In addition to the cypress forest, Corkscrew contains strangler figs, native grasses, pond apple and red maple trees, as well as the seasonal ghost orchid plant. Egrets, heron, ibis, anhingas, and other migratory birds call this home, as well as gators, turtles, deer, and owls. A 2.2 mile boardwalk protects the delicate environment as well as the visitors as they wind their way through the cypress forest, pine flatwoods, swamp, and wetlands. Various side branches of the boardwalk take you to other points of interest, including a raised platform overlooking the prairie. The trail lead us through the pine flatwoods and along the wet prairie, where grasses and ferns mixed with scraggly trees. Once in the cypress grove, we were surrounded by towering trees that shade a bonanza of ponds and swamps teeming with birds. Corkscrew is an amazing place that I'm so happy I was able to experience. read more
3 years ago
Corkscrew looks super cool and I am very eager to go. I drove out to the swamp on a hot and humid July afternoon looking forward to a little walk. Imagine the crushing disappointment when I found out the place was CLOSED due to Covid. Here is the sign. Lesson here is call ahead, else you end up with a Wally World experience like Clark Griswold has. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
This is a wonderful place to be outside and witness wildlife up close and personal! Worth the price of admission! We go often and take friends and family when they are in town. read more
4 years ago
Was so impressed by this place. The facilities are very nice (bathrooms, visitors center, gift shop, etc) and the natural itself is beautiful. This sanctuary as a 2 mile boardwalk through the swamp, and the scenery was beautiful. A great place to visit to see wildlife and immerse yourself in nature. Admissions is $17, but there are discounts for students, local residents, etc. read more
This is a private sanctuary near Bonita Springs/Naples. You need to get an entry pass ahead of time. The last entrance is at 145, however I saw them locking the gate at 130. The sanctuary is the largest preserve of cypress in the world left, with trees hundreds of years old. Loggers were about a mile away from the preserve when concerned local citizens and the owner of the logging concession agreed to stop the logging and set this piece aside. The sanctuary has grown ever since. To imagine the hubris of cutting down trees from the 1400s for someone's wooden deck or night stand. What a transgression. The sanctuary is 13,000 acres but you only see about 5 on the above ground boardwalk that is approximately 2.5 miles. The entire length is a boardwalk. There are plenty of covered rain shelters and benches strewn across the boardwalk. This is not meant for a brisk walk but to meander through the preserve as the water beneath your feet meanders through on its way to the Gulf. You are to immerse yourself in nature's cathedral. These giant sentinels being akin to majestic columns. Stay quiet and you can spot a Pileated Woodpecker--the first I saw ever--a wood stork, great white egret, ibis, and more. There is plenty of parking. Restrooms are before the visitor center and are the only ones at the sanctuary. Take water even though there is a little gift shop. There is no food on site so plan accordingly as to where you will eat lunch or bring it with you for a picnic in the parking lot where there are plenty of picnic tables. read more
Mrs. K. said to Paul K. we are going to have forced fun. Forced fun is when she MAKES me go somewhere she just knows I would never go unless she forced me. What an amazing place, swamps, cypress tree, alligators, birds, snakes, oh and mosquito's. Dang those mosquito's really can bite. I don't mind those pesky bugs as long as I don't get sick from their bites. I am kind of a one way street like that. You can bite me but don't make sick. I am sure some of my IPhone pictures do not do much justice to what I saw but if I say there is an egret in the picture you are just going to have to trust me there is one. I really enjoyed my forced fun trip. read more
3 years ago
5 years ago
If you like nature and walking this is a great nature walk on ~ 2 miles of boardwalk through swamp. We have been in February and saw a lot more wildlife than when we visited in December. Although there was less wildlife was still a relaxing walk. Not a place to power walk as the boards make noise and the point is to keep as quiet as possible to view nature. There are little sitting areas to view various areas and a lookout platform. Would not recommend for smaller kids. Older kids act like they are bored but there are probably moments that they will enjoy and can use later in school or life. So make them deal with it! read more
11 years ago
Nice place. The large trees are beautiful. My mom wished there was more wildlife. We saw a lot of the birds in the guide book (and heard some too: owl; woodpecker). We were able to spot some alligators and a raccoon, but nothing big like a panther. Other people spotted animals and wrote it on the chalkboard at the visitor's center (opossum, etc) Overall, I thought it was pretty. It's only a 2.25 mile walk on the boardwalk - I did it in sandals. I recommend it if you're in the area. The whole area has fast LTE coverage if you're wondering! It's open at 7 AM, 365 days a year. I would go early and beat the heat. Also, BRING BUG SPRAY! read more
9 years ago
Another great visit to the Swamp. since the hurricane, Irma, hit last year they have had to do a lot of work to repair the boardwalk and get things somewhat back to normal. Everything looks amazing and many of the usual birds are still around. There are parts that are closed and damaged but, overall you can walk the entire length. It has been very dry in the area for the past couple of months so the water levels are very low. If you visit the area do not miss this gem. read more
I hate to do it but I had to give this a two star. I am a huge fan of parks and love walking around in nature. I came here over the weekend to check it out, but I didn't look into it at all first. I was surprised when I got there and found that they had an admission of $14 per person. I figured it must have a lot to see so we went in. We walked the entire 2.5 mile boardwalk and saw one alligator swim by. Nothing else but trees and water on the walk. If this was a normal park like six mile slough I wouldn't care because you only pay a few dollars to park. When you put a price tag of $14 per person expectations go up, and I left a little bored. It was probably the most expensive walk my wife and I have ever went on. read more
This park/sanctuary offers a nice boardwalk, about 2 miles long (there is a shortcut that cuts the walk down to like maybe half a mile). This boardwalk is accesible, with no inclines, and is a perfect walk about for those who are nature friendly and want to more about swamps and this old cypress forest. The boardwalk is also well-shaded, due to cover by the cypress trees, making it pleasant to go through the 2 mile walk. I definitely didn't put on sunblock, and didn't get burn. What was surprising though, was the lack of bugs even though it is the middle of summer her in Florida. So this place calls itself, the oldest cypress forest, although my friend (who says he loves old trees) was not impressed. He had expected a lot more. I was perfectly content, it wasn't crazy impressive like the giant sequoias like in California, but I wasn't expecting that either. It is still a pretty cool place to spend a couple of hours, just soaking in the outdoors and learning about the ecosystem. This sanctuary is also home to the rare ghost orchid, which is conveniently showcased on a telescope manned by park personnel. They also had another scope pointed at a barred owl that we were able to look at during our walk. The entrance fee is $12, which may be a little steep, but I am willing to support, since they're all about saving the environment, and educating the public. I will advice everyone to go perhaps during the cooler months of the year as the wildlife was a little lacking, perhaps due to the heat. read more
If you're looking to do some serious swamp birding, without the swamp muckiness, this is seriously THE place to go!! This area has been preserved since the early 1900s and is quite rich in natural habitat and there's tons of birds to show for it! Serious birders come from all over to have the opportunity to see our South Florida birds in their native habitats. So if you are hard core and really want to actually bird watch, you probably already know this, but get here at 7AM. For the novices, please be respectful and don't come through here stomping around and talking loudly, since that is exactly what will cause all the birds to stay still and not make themselves visible. What makes this sanctuary special is that there is raised platform that circles though the swamp. This makes the swamp accessible to those who aren't able (or just don't want) to tromp through the muck and water. The path itself is just between two and three miles, so plan to spend some time here. There is a shorter loop for those who don't want to make the entire trek too. We were told that with our $14 admission, that we could return the following Saturday free of charge. So for those who are in for the birds, this is a an amazing deal, since you never know what will coming through the area, especially during migrant season. Corkscrew gets the highest recommendations for Birders, you just have to check this place out. For the not so hard core birders, I advise to sign up for the tours. The guides are amazing and full of knowledge and will really enhance the experience. read more
7 years ago
We love exploring the outdoors together as a family. This sanctuary is the perfect outdoor activity for all ages. The board walks are all secure, clean, and safe to walk on. Most of the trails are completely shaded with natural shade trees from the swamp. There are so many things to see; birds, wildlife animals, flowers, and trees! They provided my 5 year old son with a worksheet that had a scavenger hunt on it. He enjoyed marking each thing we saw on our walk through the swamp!! Beautiful scenery! Peaceful atmosphere!! read more
5 years ago
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More info about Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
375 Sanctuary Rd W
Naples, FL 34120
Directions
(239) 348-9151
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http://audubon.org/corkscrew
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Ask the Community - Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Where's the closest place to eat?
There is a café inside the Welcome Center for Sandwiches, cakes and coffee and soft drink. However, we drove to Immokalee Rd and pass I-75. There is tons of restaurants there. We went to Fernandez the Bull - a Cuban Café!
