The Best Nature Trails for Kids in South Florida

Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale

One of our favorite family-friendly nature trails in Fort Lauderdale has to be the Secret Woods Nature Center. The name alone evokes a sense of wonder for children, who will have plenty of sites and space to get their imaginations going. In addition to the two hiking trails featured at the park, Secret Woods is also home to a 3,800 square foot walking butterfly garden and the Monarch Interpretive Center, where children can learn all about the local flora and fauna, including reptiles, plants, marine life, and even bees.

The first trail - dubbed the Laurel Oak Trail - is 1200 feet of winding, mulched trail providing an interesting stroll through a tidal marsh, where you and your young ones can view oak trees, palms, and many other types of marshland trees, as well as wildlife in the form of birds, crabs, and several varieties of reptiles.

The second offering is the New River Trail, which weighs in at 3200 feet and comes boardwalk-style. You start the journey in a hardwood hammock and end it in another tidal marsh. The main theme of this trail is scenery, scenery, scenery, and offers many great photo opportunities.