Explore the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

Opened on the weekends and holidays, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive makes for a great outing. Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is a nature preserve located in Orange County. It’s home to a variety of species of animals, reptiles, and birds. Enjoy the beautiful nature drive from the safe and air-conditioned coolness of your car.

This scenic drive-through trail offers a few hours of nature-rific entertainment, all from the comforts of your vehicle with a few optional stops along the way. If you have not checked out the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in Apopka, head over this weekend or next to enjoy all the serenity and beauty this Wildlife Drive offers.

St. John’s Water District Management

Run by St John’s Water District Management, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive offers an incredible view of nature. While the Drive and optional walking trails are all free, donations are happily accepted to maintain the property. You can donate online and view information about their trail maps and free audio tour to go with your visit.

The audio tour helps to give you an overview of the area, enhanced wildlife habitat information, and insight into the work they have done to restore both the wetlands and lake on the Lake Apopka North Shore. Find the audio tour and other information about Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive here: https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/lake-apopka/wildlife-drive/.

Online you will also find a birding and butterfly checklist to help you discover these majestic creatures a bit more in-depth.

Lake Apopka North Shore

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive sits upon the Lake Apopka North Shore. This North Shore area is what they call “a true diamond in the rough.” This area was home to former muck farms and has literally been transformed into a wildlife haven and enjoyment for the community. The site that Lake Apopka North Shore makes up was once a part of the actual lake itself.

In 1942, these very wetlands were separated from the lake by a large levee. Lake Apopka, which was once more than 50,000 acres, became just over 30,000 acres. The 20,000 acres of mucky wetland was restored to become what we now know as Lake Apopka North Shore and Wildlife Drive.

The public can now drive through the 20,000 acres on an 11-mile drive known as the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Park hours are Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays for motorized vehicles from 7 am to 3 pm. Vehicles must exit the park by 5 pm. Federal Holidays include:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents’ Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas

Top Birding Areas in Florida

Did you know the Lake Apopka North Shore, located within the nature park, is home to one of the top three birding areas in the state of Florida? Considered one of the most renowned birding destinations in the state of Florida. The list also includes the Everglades National Park and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. At Lake Apopka Wildlife on the North Shore, there have been recordings of 369 different bird species! It is not uncommon to regularly see over 150 different bird species in the winter months, including egrets, herons, flycatchers, and tiny warblers, to name just a few.

More than Birds

If you are looking for animals other than birds, have no fear! Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive offers many a view on different animals as well. These animals can all be seen routinely throughout the park, from bobcats, otters, bears to alligators, raccoons, coyotes, and armadillos.

Driving Experience

This drive typically can take anywhere from one to three hours based upon the cars making stops in front of you. There are limited pull-off areas, so timewise, you are at the mercy of the motorists in front of you. The speed limit is just ten mph making it a slow and enjoyable pace for visitors and the safety of the animals and only goes one way. There are restrooms on the property and picnic areas available if you choose to make a day of it. Make sure to bring drinking water as there is none available on the property.

A fun note: dogs are allowed on the drive, but they do need to be on a leash should you want to bring fido on the ride with you.

More than a Drive

Besides the 11 miles drive-through park, visitors can also enjoy one of the many trails the park offers. You can bicycle, horseback ride, and view more wildlife within the Lake Apopka Loop Trail and two blazed hiking trails. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail takes you along the property line on the lake’s edge. This provides over 20 miles of shoreline to enjoy hiking and more.

You may enter and ride with your horse at the North Shore and Clay Island Trailheads as well. If visiting the Green Mountain or Magnolia Park Trailheads, which are county parks, know that horses are not permitted on those. Check out the trail map here for an in-depth look at the park and trail options itself for finer details about the parks. https://www.sjrwmd.com/static/lands/trailguides/Lake_Apopka_trail_map.pdf

If you are someone who loves visiting the great outdoors and the beautiful scenery that nature has to offer, this place is for you. What is excellent about the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is that for those who cannot get out, perhaps to hike or do the nature paths, or just want to enjoy a beautiful scenic drive, they do not have to go far.

A Unique Central Florida Adventure

Located just in Apopka, those in Central Florida and beyond can come and enjoy this incredible drive with live animals and birds all year round. The animals are just outside of the car window. The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive makes for an excellent outing, especially with kids, so you are close to the action without any of the dangers! This makes for a much safer time to explore the wild and all that lives there. The Wildlife Drive of Lake Apopka is an underrated gem and one that all ages can enjoy year-round.

Here is a list of access points related to the park to enjoy the beautiful St John’s Lake currently available as not all of them convene at the same spot you enter for the Lake Apopka Wildlife drive:

Erica Diaz Team – Explore the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

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