Recreation

Hiking, fishing, camping, bird-watching, horseback riding, nature study, cycling, hunting, geocaching, stargazing – what's your pleasure?

The South Florida Water Management District is the steward for more than 1 million acres of public land. Over the years, we've taken great strides to expand public recreational opportunities on land purchased with public dollars – and it keeps getting better.

Each year we take steps to enhance and expand recreational use of all District-owned property throughout our 16-county region. Activities at each location are compatible with natural resources protection and intended land use priorities.

We invite you to explore recreational opportunities on your public lands. Our colorful, 88-page recreation guide is packed with information. You'll find a comprehensive listing of lands available for public use and access – as well as maps, descriptions, suggested outings, driving directions and contact information for each location.

SFWMD Recreational Public Forum

The SFWMD Recreational Public Forum is held three times a year. Meetings are open to the public. Visit SFWMD.gov/Meetings for the most up-to-date information.

Special Use Licenses - Camping

Special Use Licenses can be obtained at no cost. A Special Use License or ‘SUL’ allows the public to engage in various recreational activities including camping, equestrian camping, camping with a RV or Travel Trailer and more on South Florida Water Management District property.

Special Use Licenses for June 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 are now open.

The District will issue Special Use Licenses on a first-come, first-served basis when the area and facilities can accommodate the requested use and such use is consistent with the protection of natural resources.

Click Here To Get Started!

Prescribed Burn Notification

Hunting and Fishing Licenses

Most recreational activities on District lands are managed by agencies such as the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission or other state, federal, county or city governments in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District. Most licenses for hunting or fishing must be obtained from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

To obtain hunting and fishing licenses, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Information on Hunting in the STAs

Closures and Notices

Posted July 9, 2025: The Allapattah Fox Brown Road parking area and equestrian access point will be temporarily closed from July 17 to July 24 for annual livestock management activities.
Posted July 9, 2025: CREW Marsh Trails and CREW Cypress Dome Campsites are temporarily closed due to wet conditions and protection of the natural resources.
Posted July 9, 2025: Taylor Creek STA is scheduled for maintenance on Monday, July 14 and will be closed for the entire day.
Posted July 8, 2025: Public access points to the Florida National Scenic Trail will temporarily close starting Monday, July 14, 2025. The access points are located directly east and west of the S-65A boat lock and will close due to a maintenance project. They are expected to re-open in the fall of 2025. Public areas within a one-mile radius of the project will not be available for use as maintenance takes place. The S-65A boat lock on the Kissimmee River is located in Polk County near the Osceola County border and Okeechobee County line. To view a map of the area, click here.
Posted July 1, 2025: The pedestrian access bridge to STA-1W is closed to the public due to construction activities.
Posted June 9, 2025: The levee next to G396 A, B and C is closed until further notice. Please see the map and please seek an alternate route.
Posted May 13, 2025: All pedestrian access points and parking areas near the S-63A structure on the C-34 Canal/Canoe Creek on both sides of North Canoe Creek Road/County Road 523 will be closed to the public due to a maintenance project. For more information click here.
Posted May 1, 2025: The Central Everglades Planning Project North L-5 Remnant Canal Improvements project has started. The entire L-5 remnant canal will be closed due to construction including the staging areas shown on the map here, which are adjacent to Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 Harold A. Campbell. Public access to Stormwater Treatment Area ¾ Harold A. Campbell and along the L-5 North Levee will be maintained throughout the project.
Ongoing: The SFWMD (with support of DB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.) is conducting a pilot study through July 2025, to assess the efficacy of installing temporary turbidity controls to improve water clarity at two study areas along the northwest shoreline of Lake Okeechobee. In coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, navigational warnings (e.g., caution buoys, temporary signs) were installed. For more information, click here.
Ongoing: The public access gate and bridge along US 27 to STA 2 and the L-6 Levee (Sportsman's Crossover Boat Ramp) is open Saturdays and Sundays and closed Monday thru Friday due to construction activities.
Ongoing: The SW levee and the NW levee at the A1 FEB in Palm Beach County are currently closed. The SW levee will be closed until end of 2025. Visitors can view this map of A-1 FEB to avoid areas with construction activities. Please check back for updates.

Recreation Sites
Explore your public lands

Discover Wild Florida
Discover Florida's natural wonders

Navigation Information
Stay updated on lock operations