This is a hidden gem within driving distance of the Orlando area. First of all, it's FREE! Yes, I said free with no hidden charges. A park ranger meets you at the entrance, gives you a map, and explains the audio self guided tour( via QR code on phone). That was very helpful in knowing where you are on the property and what habitat is there. They have over 300 species of birds, alligators, bobcats, turtles, rabbits, fish, frogs, etc... The herons were my favorite bird to see because they stood so still, they almost looked fake. I also wanted to see alligators from a safe distance, and we got to see 10 along the drive! The views along the drive were breathtaking! They have plenty of pullover spots for taking pics. They also had plenty of bathrooms & extremely clean port a potties along the drive. So very suitable for bringing the children. We loved this place and rank it as one of our top favorite things to do while visiting the Disney area.

Beautiful and scenic drive! We saw many birds, alligators, and dragonflies. Also saw a few fish and turtles. It took us about 2 hours to drive through everything. It’s the perfect place if you love nature photography. No entry fee. I highly recommend going!

Beautiful wildlife drive not far from Orlando! This is a self-guided drive for your personal vehicle and is well worth the trip if you are looking to get out of the house/hotel but not necessarily trying to be exposed to the heat or spend a lot of money. The drive took us about an hour and we did get out at the pump house to walk around. You will typically know if there are interesting animals coming up because you will see cars stop ahead of you and people taking pictures out the windows.

I've been here before and it was amazing. We've done it by car, walking and by bicycle. Saw a TON of gators. All up close n personal. Some a little TOO up close haha. Just make sure you check the website for hours. This last time we went, i didn't... and it was closed when we got there. In my opinion the best time to see gators is over the winter months. They come out of the cooler water to bask in the sun. Definitely a must-do if you're looking to see some of our Florida gators!! There's also a bunch of other wildlife, mostly birds. But we did get lucky one day and came upon a family of raccoons. Try to stay for the sunset if possible...it's a sight to see as well!!

For those who are visiting central FL (or even locals) a fun way to go see some wildlife and be out in the nature. This is mostly a drive (you are in your car) but there are a few spots when you can stop / park and walk around. This area is also bike friendly if you got bikes. Amazing amount of birds, alligators and other animals. Every time o go I get to see something new. Feels a little like National Geographic 😀 Bring a camera with a nice zoom and always have it ready. You never know what you get to see next. This is part of the water management area so only open for visitors on Fri-Sun and federal holidays. You can call ahead for hours. Also on their website there is a free audio tours with stations and numbers you can listen to as you drive along the route. Highly recommended, especially if you want to see some alligators 🐊

Florida Nature at its finest! This driving tour was absolutely amazing! It was beyond relaxing. We saw birds of all kinds, a ton of gators, and even some giant turtles long the way. We will definitely be back for another tour! This is a Florida off the beaten path perfect find!

If you don't have 2.5-3 hours to spend driving through then skip it. If you want a relaxing drive with a ton of wildlife and stunning views then this is your place to be! We saw about 60 gators and dozens of turtles, heron, moorhens, and more. Plus 2 bald eagles! Definitely want to do this again and plan to bike it in the future. Also the audio tour was neat to learn about the management and history of the north shore.

This is an amazing place to just slowly drive through and enjoy nature. We went on a sunny afternoon, and saw numerous kinds of birds, several turtles, and close to 40 alligators. There were lots of other cars, but no one was in a rush. All of the roads are one way, so you drive east to west through the park. It took our family an hour to go through, and we stopped to observe close alligators from time to time. I would highly recommend making this detour if you are in the area.

A highly recommended FREE weekend gateway for people of all ages in Central Florida that takes about 2hrs or more on a one-way wildlife drive-through safari. We got to view many gators, different species of birds, and turtles along the drive. An audio tour is available on their website or find the QR code on a brochure at the entrance, it is very informative. You can step out of your vehicle at a few spots, however, please be respectful and vigilant of your surroundings.

This is a beautiful place to come enjoy nature very close to home. I love the birds most but you are guaranteed to see plenty of gators as well. Be aware that you’ll share the road with cyclists. Also, once you are in you have to go through and there can be a backup in some spots so don’t come if you are in a rush. Great getaway for an hour or as long as you’d like. There is an audio tour available that gives a nice history and education about the area and some of the species found here.

Absolutely positively without a doubt a most beautiful place. Great for bird watching and viewing wildlife especially gators. Saw some big ones too. You can ride your bikes here as well. Hard pack gravel makes for good riding.. views are stunning.

This wildlife drive is a MUST !!! what a great ride to be in real contact with Nature !!! Absolutely Gorgeous!!! Highly recommended! .. bring your own water and snacks because there are no rest stops or stores with food. Just Enjoy !

Great place to drive through and see wildlife. We spent 2 to 3 hours and we all enjoyed every second. I suggest using an app to identify the birds you hear. We will be back.

Yesterday we saw 2 gator fights and at least 30 gators- today not so much- but is nice to get out and experience what I feel like Florida is supposed to be lol. Best birthday!!

Wonderful place to drive and look at nature. You can also park at the pump house and take a walk however please be ready to encounter large alligators along the path. There is a spot to park your car outside of the gates and ride your bicycle as well. Leave yourself plenty of time, the trails are long especially if you are stopping to take photographs along the way. You need to enter before 3PM. When you leave, just pull up to the electric gate and it will open.

A hidden gem! Fascinating view of crazy-abundant bird life. A slow drive on the levees brings wild Florida up close. It would be fun to bike here (I'm assuming I can bike faster than the alligators can chase me!) Be sure to listen to the audio tour, very short commentary on the history and biology of Lake Apopka and the work on restoring the ecosystem. It's worth using a day away from Mickey Mouse to see the lake country of Central Florida

Beautiful scenic drive located in central Florida! The north shore trail is an amazing place to take some time and visit - the amount of wildlife (specifically alligators) - is truly mindblowing. Osprey, eagles, heron, ducks, and of course alligators are everywhere. Try to come on a less busy time too - I’ve never experienced a wait but have heard people who wait in long lines to enter! Be aware that this drive will take at LEAST 1 hour, likely 2 or more, so allow for some time and make sure to drive slow as animals cross the road constantly!

This is a great way to enjoy Florida (on weekends and holidays only) during the week this is actually a water pumping/cleaning area. It's 11 miles of 10mph (or under) bird spotting/gator finding fun. Load up some snacks and roll the windows down. Bring the pups (keep em close...there are gators here) and enjoy one of the many stopping spots for a quick leg stretch, or Porta John visit (better than nothing) and continue on. Dial into a few info panes along the way. Please don't be those type of people to get out and bother the wildlife. That was probably the only downside. Enjoy our parks ...responsibly.

A hidden gem! Absolutely beautiful, free, and relaxing nature driving trail. Took us about 1.5 hours to go through with lots of wildlife including turtles, alligators, and many species of birds. Along the way, there is matching audio recordings that provide history about the trail and landmarks within. Definitely recommend for nature lovers and it’s an exceptional place for nature photographers as well.

One of Apopka's best kept secrets. I grew up in Apopka and have been visiting this wildlife drive for years. My wife loves it and we always see a plethora of gators. Went this past Sunday and counted close to 40 different gators. We make a game out of it each time we go, and she's getting good at sighting them. Definitely recommend for the whole family. Sort of like Jurassic Park, but for free.

Thoroughly enjoyed our leisurely drive through this wildlife area. Restrooms available at various points too. Easy to stop and take pictures with several pull-over areas along the (one way) 11 mile trail. Entirely free (unusual in itself) and highly recommended if you want a slower paced break away from the usual tourist areas/activities.

No worries about the hours on the sing if your goal is biking or going for a run. Is a small gate always open. I was able to get in as earlier as 6am amd is open.

Great free weekend activity! We had so much fun watching the gators and all of the birds. The place is very beautiful and peaceful. There wasnt a lot of traffic in the drive and everyone was very nice getting out of to the side when they need to stop. We were greeted by a very nice lady who explained it to us how it works and gave us a map. They have portable bathrooms for people to use which I thought was a nice touch.

Really enjoyed our visit here. Plenty of wildlife to see. The last part of the loop after Roach road didn't have too much to see (in April) but I'm sure it picks up different times of the year. It's free to get in, has many places to pull over and look at everything, and nice people to chat with along the way.

Cost: $0 Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is an absolute nature haven! 🌿🦆 The scenic drive is a total mood, with wildlife sightings around every bend. From gators chillin' in the sun to an orchestra of bird calls, it's a wildlife symphony. 🐊🦩🎶 The serenity of the lake is unmatched. Pro tip: bring binoculars! Perfect for a peaceful escape into nature. Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is all about the slow roll, with no turning back vibes – it's basically a one-way street through nature's party! 🚗🌳 Plan for a minimum of 1.5 hours of chill exploration 🐊 We counted at least 35 gators on our journey – talk about a wild gator meet-up! Just keep it steady, enjoy the views, and soak in the nature vibes. heads up: the gate at the end throws some 'keep out' vibes – like, 'wrong way, do not enter' vibes. 😅 But, fear not! Just keep the wheels turning, and magically, it opens up. 🚧✨ It's like a secret passage out

Great little drive, a must do if you enjoy the wild side of Florida. Kids enjoyed spotting the crocks and a plethora of birds. It takes a good hour if you take your time.