Great area for bird watching!…read more We parked in the free lot, climbed some of the hill, and then crossed the street for a short walk to the water viewing wooden piers. We were able to see some great birds and the water was beautiful. Very peaceful area that we could've easily spent more time in. It was sweltering outside so make sure to bring a sun umbrella, hat, and water.

We visited Celery Fields on a recent Monday morning, with the hope of seeing and photographing…read more sandhill cranes, roseate spoonbills, and other birds. We were partially successful. There are 2 buildings adjacent to the main parking lot at Celery Fields. Each has a purple martin house, and both of these were very active when we were there. One of the buildings houses Audubon Society volunteers who can advise you where to see birds. There's a small garden outside of this building that's worth a visit. The other building, on the opposite side of the parking lot, has rest rooms. There's a crosswalk across Palmer Blvd. near the parking lot, leading to a boardwalk over a marshy area. A recent rain attracted quite a few birds when we were there in mid-March 2026. At the end of the boardwalk there's a gazebo for observing the birds. Another marshy area and gazebo is along Raymond Rd. Parking is available on the grass along the road. There was lots of bird activity. We saw many varieties, including herons, egrets, a caracara, a northern harrier, ibises, wood storks, gallinule, osprey, anhinga, and many others. There are lots of trails near the marshes, in addition to the boardwalks. Celery Fields is a great spot to go hikng and birding. Sunscreen is advisable because most of the areas are not shaded.

This place is sort of hidden in plain sight. It wasn't on Yelp until I added it. But, my mom knew…read moreabout it because she'd driven by it and, well, our friend Google knew about it. Slough: "A side channel or inlet, or a natural channel that is only sporadically filled with water." It's really tranquil and pretty here. It's a 72 acre nature preserve with trails, picnic shelters, and a few benches to sit on so you can view wildlife in peace and quiet. Even though it's near Beneva Rd., you can't hear any car traffic. What I like about this place is that it's not hugely overwhelming and it's incredibly quiet. We took a nice, leisurely stroll here before Christmas. We were there for about an hour and there weren't many people around. We saw a few herons (grey and white), spoonbills and turtles. While I do like reptiles, I was happy to not have seen any gators....though, I'm sure they were there, watching us. Pick up a map at the entrance and read the park rules. If you bring a dog, it has to be on a leash and for god's sake, don't let your dog go in the water. Hello, gators live there.

This is a very nice preserve / park. We saw lots of dragon flies and many different types of…read morebutterfly March 2020. Also many species of bird. There are some covered picnic table areas and a small playground. Then some woods with wide and narrow trails. Leads to an open area and slough (lakeish feature). Good mix of wilds and park features. Did a pretty wel established tent campsite with two tents despite the no camping signs. There are buckets out to collect air potatoes if you see any. Lots of large vines,, some saw palmetto, and wildflowers. It was pretty dry this spring and not too buggy. Not sure on summer with the water features around. Lovely area to explore for a walk. Saw people fishing. Reccomended for a nice outing. Peeps were friendly. Lots of dog walkers and nature loving folks.

The name is in reference to the winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Although I…read morecouldn't penetrate deeper that a couple of hundred yards beyond the entrance and posted signs, this 14+ acre preserve is another good place to go to explore. While walking the unpaved walking trails you'll be likely to see Res Shoulder Hawks, Barred Owls, you'll hear sing birds but don't just look up, keep one eye down as there's a good chance of crossing paths with some turtles. The bulletin of atomic scientists say that we're 90 seconds to midnight, the clock is meant to spark conversion of global catastrophe, the clock has never reached midnight but it's getting closer. Earth experienced it's hottest year, fires, floods, oil spills, viruses, mineral mining machines, resource scarcity and pollution, economic models, wars and now AI is threatening civilization in countless ways. We really don't want to get to midnight and we probably won't know it when we do. Admittedly I'm a doomer and I'm prepared but the search for safe spots is always ongoing and I like to map out new areas in the wooded places and areas that I can get to in a jiffy and set-up for the waiting while the industrial organism unwinds.

Love this park my little therapy. There are a few of these massive and old kapok trees. This one…read morefell over likely in the 2 big hurricanes but still alive and thriving. Very big park lots of views, turtles, gators, birds etc

We were visiting Florida for a week and my son wanted to see alligators in their real habitat!…read moreWe went to 2 different parks but we're not able to see alligators! We tried this park and after 10 minutes we spotted an alligator! You can also see lots of see turtles!

What an amazing, huge park, with varied environments for a friendly nature walk with friends! We…read moresaw dozens of different species of birds including migrating ones, 3 types of woodpeckers, several types of hawks, warblers, many butterflies, a turtle, dragonflies, a rabbit, flowers galore - mostly native, native plants, bees including one stinger who unfortunately got someone in our friend group, and more, and more! We spent over 3 hours walking around, taking our time, identifying everything we saw as much as possible! The free park includes mangrove swamps, dry pine woods, forests and shrubbery so there are many opportunities to see nature enjoying time in its native natural environment! Just keep your eyes open and observe! Binoculars help sometimes! Life is good when I'm finally healthy enough to take a slow, long walk with friends. Progress! I will keep working out and eating healthy until I get all my strength and stamina back. Never give up! Never give in!

A beautiful state park to explore. We only went to do some…read moretrail walking and found it pleasant and peaceful. You can walk along a tree lined trail by a canal and from there branch off onto other loops. Beautiful Florida fora and fauna!

This Park was nice! I went for the hiking trails, and it was…read moreeasy to find because the staff was very helpful and the park has a lot of signs. They have a place to rent Ikes, and the biking trials look amazing.

Good spot for the kiddos to play. I didn't do much besides talk to my friend while her children…read moreplayed. Not sure what else there is to do there. Well there is camping ,trails and things like that.

Beautiful park and great staff. A hidden gem in South St Pete with a long walking trail and some…read moregreat wildlife, as well as some interesting sculptures. We love the small bird sanctuary also. And so inexpensive for the family.

This is a great nature preserve to visit in the middle of St Pete! We saw many birds, native plants…read moreand baby alligators huddling in a nest! It's was incredible. We took the mile long loop, that meandered a very natural area of native Florida plants and trees. We loved the rustic, natural feel of the park with clearly marked trails. $3.00 to get in at the visitors center that is pretty cool to look at, too! Don't forget the rescued birds just outside the visitor center.

An absolutely beautiful and peaceful place to hike! Miles of natural trails and boardwalks with…read moreponds, streams, palms, spanish moss, and wildlife a-plenty! The lake at the back of three lakes trail is incredibly tranquil. We saw fish jumping and a hawk gliding as we sat on the fishing pier in the shade of the mangroves. Along our hike, we spotted several fish, turtles, birds, heard a rattling snake of some kind(!), and even a baby alligator. The folks at the welcome center were friendly and informative, and provided us with trail maps and tips. This is a must-visit spot when you're in Punta Gorda!

At dawn we drift where the still reeds sigh, Silver line…read morekissing a blushing sky. Egrets stitch light through the cypress air, Herons pause--like thoughts we share. An alligator glides, old moon on the tide, Ancient eyes watching love pass by. Cast after cast, the world slows its breath-- Hooked not on fish, but the hush of this depth. Hand in hand where the water remembers, We fall in love with the day's soft embers.

We were excited at first, but as someone else mentioned, make sure you bring bug spray!read more

Terra Ceia Preserve State Park is 2,000 acres of diverse ecosystems including mangrove forests,…read morefreshwater and saltwater wetlands, and uplands communities. There are no facilities so plan ahead to bring bug spray, water and a bag for trash. This preserve is undergoing habitat restoration to return agricultural land to its natural and ecologically diverse condition. It is a great place to take a hike on many of the trails or go birding. You can see native and migrating birds along the trails. Common birds like little blue herons, white ibis found wading along the shore, bald eagle flying and, my favorite, roseate spoonbills wading in the shallows. Fishing is allowed in the saltwater and freshwater mix. Kayaking and canoes are a great way to see the preserve, too. The unimproved boat ramp at Bishop Harbor is the closest place to launch. Though, canoe/kayak launches can be found on Bishop Harbor Road and Stotz Road. I like Terra Ceia and would definitely go back. I like that it is being restored and the wildlife is returning. It's wonderful to have these areas being restored for people and wildlife to enjoy. Check the website before going for updates and more information.

Amazing day. We watch Secrets of the Zoo on tv and see them rehabilitate manatees. They bring them…read moreto power plant areas where the warm waters create a great environment for them to thrive. Really cool to see the manatees interact with each other. Some bonding, some rivalries and mostly calm and slow moving. The staff was great. Very helpful with questions. The parking volunteers were really cool and friendly. Go there and take your time to appreciate these great animals.

The moneys been put in the box at the booth, it's five bucks and The Honor System is used - thena…read moreseries of slow winding snake turns up the next half mile past the canoe launch and into the parking lot & picnic area where there's also a little playground set up for screaming kids. Last week we explored to the East, logic dictates we head West because there's more land, more trails and a brisk twenty minutes in, past the equestrian area and I had wished I brought my compass . So I looked to the sun, it was my nearing 9:45AM so I made a quick little sundial and determined my bearings, keeping the rays at my right shoulder, a tall pine in the distance for extra measure. So quickly the terrain can change from soft and slow white sand to fast packed non-silty soil to brown and boggy muddy to green and lush all within a stones throw in any direction. Know this friends - you'll be given no help from signage - only arrows , there are numbers from 15 to 3 - yet, not telling ya anything at all - no maps at the gate, nobody in the booth at the gate - nobody official looking around, so be aware of that if you want to see beyond the next turn. Getting turned around is easier than going straight towards the trails end. I assumed that the 15 I saw, then the 7 I saw then the 3&4 means I'd be on a cylindrical circumnavigation - looping back to the pavement that takes you in and separated the two very different sides of the park. We came up on Dude Lake and here in this primitive shallow shored lake - along with birds, turtles are sounds unique to my ears, movements in the brush that have the dogs diving into and thrashing within - only to pop out from the other side dumbfounded and disappointed. There are things that are unseen underneath - human penetration is virtually impossible without damaging the plants, vines and thick green entanglements. I believe these are small creatures, whatever they are but emit the most beautiful sounds, whatever they are.