Kayaks and Canoes

Everglades National Park spans more than 1.5 million acres with multiple entrances and visitor centers.  The main entrance is located in the city of Homestead in Miami-Dade county.  The park was created in 1947 in an effort to protect the area from further damage to this extremely important environmental area.  The Everglades, or "River of Grass",  consists of wetlands and forests fed by water flowing out of Lake Okeechobee  located to the north of the park.

Oleta River State Park is located in North Miami on eastern 163rd street.  This area was once inhabited by the ancient Tequesta people almost 3,000 years ago.  Today, this protected area is home to a large preserve of mangrove forest, native wildlife and plants.  This state park consists of about 1,000 acres and is the largest state park in Florida located in an urban area.  

Greynolds Park is located in northeast Miami-Dade county is west of Dixie Highway just south of Miami Gardens Drive (NE 185th St).  The park was formerly the site of a rock quarry and was donated to the county by the Ojus Rock Company back in 1936.  This 249-acre park is home to a variety of plants and animals that make their homes in the hammock and the protected mangrove habitats.

Crandon Park has long been a favorite recreational spot for natives and visitors alike.  Crandon is located just south of the Miami Seaquarium and north of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.  This beautiful beachfront park on Key Biscayne in Miami-Dade County is comprised of various ecosystems of the Key including mangroves, seagrass beds, coastal hammock and dunes.

Deerfield Island Park is located in northern Broward County adjacent to Sullivan Park in the city of Deerfield Beach.  The island can only be accessed by boat.  A free ferry can trasnport you to the island.  The ferry operates only on weekends and runs on the hour from 10am to 3pm.  The shuttle may not run if the weather or water becomes questionable so be sure to call ahead to check on conditions.

Fort Lauderdale Beach is a world famous award-winning beach that stretches from the Port Everglades Inlet & John U. Lloyd State Park in the south to the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in the north.

Anne Kolb Nature Center and West Lake Park are located in southern Broward in the town of Hollywood on the north and south side of Sheridan Street. This popular nature center features trails, amphitheater, exhibits and a 68-foot observation tower. The exhibit hall has an entrance fee but the trails around the nature center are free. The trails include a fishing trail (catch & release is encouraged and a permit required), the Mudflat Trail, the South Trail (gravel) and the Lake Trail.

Take a break from the city and enjoy a day in a quiet natural oasis.  Hugh Taylor Birch State Park lies between the intracoastal and the Atlantic Ocean off Sunrise Blvd.  This small state park allows you to wander among the tropical hammocks, paddle your canoe or kayak into the moat within the park, and go for a swim at the guarded beach.  The park's access to the beach is via a pedestrian tunnel under A1A.  If you prefer a quieter more natural experience over the busier Ft.

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, formerly, John U. Lloyd is a Florida state park open 365 days a year located in Dania Beach.  The park offers access to a beautiful beach front with over 2-miles of shoreline.  You can spend the day swimming, snorkeling, surf fishing, or doing shore dives in your scuba gear.  There are about 300 picnic areas for free use if they are available.

Markham Park is located in western Broward in the area of Sunrise near the intersection of the Sawgrass Expressway and the Everglades Parkway.  This park has a per person entrance fee.