Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of several miles of established, multi-use trails for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Some are wet, so be prepared. Trail use is best during the drier, winter months.

In addition, the canal levees provide great hiking, bicycling and horseback riding opportunities. The area is great for observing wildlife. Alligators, otters, bobcats, deer, hogs, and several species of wading birds and hawks are commonly seen.

The Taylor Creek Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) is located east of Taylor Creek on a portion of publicly held land previously known as the Grassy Island Ranch in Okeechobee County. The area features a stand of ancient cypress trees. Native wildlife species and a variety of birds can also be seen here.

This STA removes phosphorus from water headed to Lake Okeechobee.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Hatchineha, this area offers many recreational opportunities and beautiful vistas.

Catfish Creek is a popular landing for airboats. When the water level is high, you can enjoy a canoe or kayak ride along the cypress strand. Paddle between marshy vegetation on the lakeside and cypress on the land side, or explore the property by foot along grassy trails. Watch for wildlife, including wading birds, deer, turkey, alligators, bald eagles and turtles.

The area surrounding Lake Hatchineha offers many recreational opportunities and beautiful vistas.

Catfish Creek is a popular landing for airboats. When the water level is high, you can enjoy a canoe or kayak ride along the cypress strand. Paddle between marshy vegetation on the lakeside and cypress on the land side, or explore the property by foot along grassy trails. Watch for wildlife, including wading birds, deer, turkey, alligators, bald eagles and turtles.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Hatchineha, this area offers many recreational opportunities and beautiful vistas.

Catfish Creek is a popular landing for airboats. When the water level is high, you can enjoy a canoe or kayak ride along the cypress strand. Paddle between marshy vegetation on the lakeside and cypress on the land side, or explore the property by foot along grassy trails. Watch for wildlife, including wading birds, deer, turkey, alligators, bald eagles and turtles.

The Gardner-Cobb Marsh is located in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes watershed between Cypress Lake, Lake Hatchineha and Lake Kissimmee. Accessible only by boat or airboat, Gardner-Cobb Marsh is the largest District property in the Upper Chain of Lakes region.

Take in the pine flatwoods, swamps and wet prairie, where you can view wildflowers in the fall and spring. Rest in a shady oak hammock, explore the vast marsh on your airboat, or set up camp at a primitive campsite after you park your boat along the sandy shoreline. Hiking is best during the dry season.

The Rocky Glades area provide access to the L-31 Canal levees. From the levee, you can access flow ways available for small game and duck hunting managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The 100-acre, FWC-managed, Frog Pond Dove Field is the only one of its kind in southeastern Florida and is available for seasonal quota hunting. A boat ramp located on the north side of Ingraham Highway can be used for kayak/canoe access into the L-31 Canal.

Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands extends from Culter Bay to the North Homestead area and provides access to five recreation sites. This includes new facilities opening in 2025/2026 along the constructed Cutler Bay flow way and the C-102 Canal. Starting on the north end of this expansive region, the locally coined ‘Coastal Ridge Preserve’ is a hidden gem. Stroll along a short shell path and admire the restored uplands. Moving south, an overlook at the Cutler Bay flow way will provide opportunity to observe local birds in the adjacent wetland areas.

Located in Collier County, Green Heart of the Everglades offers some of the most unique landscapes in South Florida. The upland habitat is home to the endangered Florida panther and the Big Cypress Fox Squirrel.

Travel south and you will transition to coastal marshes and a maze of mangrove swamps rich with Gladesman culture and diverse wildlife.

Find your tranquility by paddling among the mangroves or hiking through the cypress forests. Recreational opportunities also include world-renowned fishing and seasonal hunting.

This area located just south of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge provides opportunities for hikers and bicyclists to view wildlife along miles of trails. Recreational freshwater fishing for bass, gar, catfish, and exotic species like clown knifefish in man-made lakes and canals attracts anglers to this area.

You may see deer, bobcats, alligators, native butterflies and snakes across the upland and wetland habitat. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy watching a variety of wading birds foraging in wetlands and raptors hunting over the marshes.