Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub image

Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub

Tourist attraction Hiking area Nature preserve

This 24-acre sand-pine-scrub area features wildlife, a covered shelter, trails & interpretive signs. People often mention trail, nature, area, nice, walk, trails, Nice, natural, people,


Address

3299 NE 3rd Ave, Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Website

www.broward.org

Contact

(954) 357-8109

Rating on Google Maps

4.10 (116 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 8 AM to 6 PM
  • Sunday: (Easter), 8 AM to 6 PM, Hours might differ
  • Monday: 8 AM to 6 PM
  • Tuesday: 8 AM to 6 PM
  • Wednesday: 8 AM to 6 PM
  • Thursday: 8 AM to 6 PM
  • Friday: 8 AM to 6 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: trail (12) nature (11) area (11) nice (10) walk (9) trails (9) Nice (9) natural (8) people (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Lanash Lath (. 1 year ago on Google
    Short but beautiful nature trail in pompano Beach. Couple of benches along the way for you to take a break. We did not see any wildlife on this walk, there are informational posters along the way describing the plants and animals you may encounter along the way. Good place to walk with your kids and get some fresh air.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ismo H. 6 years ago on Google
    A beautiful and cozy natural area in an easy to access location with good parking. Lots of wildlife to observe, for example birds, butterflies, and lizards and I was fortunate enough to meet a gorgeous grey fox during my visit.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Esmeralda B. 8 years ago on Google
    This nature area is an excellent source for discovering the native ecosystems of south Florida. While walking along the mostly cemented trail I encountered many native species of plants and animals. The trails are quite small and can be quickly walked within 12-20 minutes. The only downside to this nature area is that pets are not allowed (despite all of the trails being cement) and it's very apparent that homeless people have been using the area as a hiding place (litter, pee smell, beer cans, trails off the path). I would definitely recommend visiting this place with a buddy and if you are going alone to bring pepper spray.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gracie F. 2 years ago on Google
    Loved it! Lots of information about nature/scrubs throughout the trail, and recently updated. Def answers diverse questions regarding preservation and even why dogs aren't allowed; topics to comtemplate. Now, for those who complain about maintenance, first: it's a SCRUB and supposed to look as natural as possible, not usually a super manicured site, think of butterfly gardens. Second, I believe you should ask your government to pay Park Rangers better and increase allocation of funds destined to Parks; this Scrub is doing the best it can. Please support by visiting, appreciate the beauty of nature and see how beneficial it is for wildlife <3
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Travis LaMARR S. 5 years ago on Google
    It's a nice, almost quiet, nature park to relax and learn sone nature facts.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 DatMallu C. 4 years ago on Google
    I feel this place needs to be better maintained. My fiancé and I left after a few minutes because it was desolate and gave off an eery vibe.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Linda Downing (. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice hike on paved trails. Sorry pets not allowed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Daniel 1 year ago on Google
    Nice to see one of the last few pockets of natural scrub land left. Love the information boards, nice short paved trail. Glad to see conservation exists still in south Florida. While for many it may not seem like much to the eye, this is a living remnant of what was here before the development, one of the last few pockets. it's alive and well, and while you may not see much initially, it is very much alive.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jennifer A. 4 years ago on Google
    A really nice paved and winding trail with an unpaved loop offshoot. Pleasant path has benches and a pavilion. There is parking but no toilet.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ariel W. 5 years ago on Google
    Out looking for a little exercise tonight I found this nice natural area that was first opened to the public in 2002. Located almost directly across from Crystal Lake Middle School I was familiar with this area and never even knew a natural area for hiking was here. I will say upfront there is no crystal lake awaiting you. What you have instead is two trails, the unpaved Sand Pine Trail and the paved Gray Fox Trail, that wind through 24.2 acres of ecologically sensitive scrub pine. Vegetation in this area includes sand pine, scrub oak, saw palmetto, prickly pear cactus, gopher apple, and spike moss. Wildlife that has been spotted in this area include gray fox, five-lined skink, zebra swallowtail butterflies, and protected gopher tortoises. Amenities include a covered shelter, water fountain, signs, benches, and a bike rack. October through May volunteers meet on the fourth Saturday of the month from 9 until 12 to remove invasive species. Other events held her can be found on the board at the start of the trails. Even though I didn't know about this area the parking lot was full when I left on a Sunday evening. It is very rare that I see people at natural areas and this place was an exception. When I turned one corner on the Sand Pine Trail I came upon a large group of people on the benches. I like seeing people who enjoy nature like I do. if you are looking to get out and get moving this place has some great trails to do so.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Paul G. 3 years ago on Google
    Another very nice Florida Stub. This one seems a bit smaller than the others, and less dramatic views. I would say that the one characteristic that sets this one apart are the many curves you encounter, providing almost endless views. There also seem to be many more unpaved trails than the others. A nice respite for a couple of hours if you can break away.

  • 4/5 Tim L. 5 years ago on Google
    Nice walk. Looks like a controlled burn here recently.

  • 5/5 Jorge Luis Montes De O. 7 years ago on Google
    Good

  • 4/5 Andrea F. 7 years ago on Google
    Fun natural area

  • 4/5 Raymond B. 7 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) ALSO (Original) TB

  • 3/5 Rob P. 6 years ago on Google
    Decent place to walk

  • 1/5 HASIBA H. 6 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Pure mountain .... with unpleasant people around him .... and what is scary is that they will steal you .... by mistake I entered that place thanks to God nothing happened (Original) Puro monte .... con personas poco agradables a su alrededor .... y lo que da es miedo que te roben .... entre con mis hijos por error a ese lugar gracias a Dios no pasó nada

  • 4/5 Cheryl H. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice trail, well-paved, with benches, trash cans, and a water fountain. There’s a pavilion at the entrance. It was empty except for a homeless dude chilling at the front. There’s informational signs throughout the trail. It’s a cool look into the scrub nature areas that are apparently super rare in Florida now. Saw lots of lizards and birds.

  • 4/5 Terry D. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice easy walk through some untouched land

  • 1/5 Tamara S. 2 years ago on Google
    Very short trail. Absolutely nothing to see. Pick an alternate option.

  • 1/5 kevinson t. 6 years ago on Google
    Fighting fighting fighting

  • 4/5 Steve B. 1 year ago on Google
    Great little park, for when you only want a short walk.

  • 5/5 Sharon “Ms. Adventurous” J. 1 year ago on Google
    Like walking this trail while I wait on my son to get out of school!

  • 5/5 Terrence Michael S. 1 year ago on Google
    Really nice little trail/park! As the title says it's scrubs but it's clean and smells good in there! Check it out!

  • 3/5 Rebecca Myers G. 10 months ago on Google
    Nice place to stop in for a little walk in nature!

  • 1/5 Nathan W. 7 months ago on Google
    Filled with trash due to the indifferent homeless population that seems to chill here regularly, and indifferent/disgusting neighbors who literally throw their trash over the fence into the preserve. Disgusting. Broward needs to come clean it up and start laying out some fines

  • 2/5 Kate W. 4 years ago on Google
    Very dirty lots of trash Paved trails were bland but the unpaved part was gorgeous. Found a beautiful spot with a bunch of different butterflies.

  • 1/5 laura s. 6 years ago on Google
    This nature trail is in the middle of the city. It has a concrete walkway but the plants are not maintained around it. There was nothing but half dead plants to look at. Could be nice if it was maintained at all. Very short walk!

  • 5/5 Katherine H. 5 years ago on Google
    I loved it I just wished the animals would of came out.

  • 5/5 Asaff B. 5 years ago on Google
    I feel it's a good place to take a walk.

  • 5/5 Rebecca G. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice hidden gem

  • 3/5 Ivan P. 5 years ago on Google
    very nice!!

  • 5/5 Jasper H. 6 years ago on Google
    I'm glad a small part of Florida is preserved in it's natural state.

  • 5/5 C M. 3 years ago on Google
    Liked it

  • 5/5 Carlos G. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place for bird watching

  • 4/5 Jason J. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice small park.

  • 2/5 Connor K. 4 years ago on Google
    This community needs to take care of their neighborhood.

  • 5/5 Samuel D. 6 years ago on Google
    Very nice place

  • 5/5 Juan B. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place

  • 5/5 Ariel F. 4 years ago on Google
    Relaxing place.

  • 5/5 John M. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome, hidden gem!

  • 3/5 Emanuel H. 4 years ago on Google
    Not many people go here but it's a great bike trail

  • 3/5 phylisettinger 5 years ago on Google
    Nice rest stop

  • 5/5 Jeremy M. 5 years ago on Google
    Beautiful little spot to relax in.

  • 3/5 Eduardo Ruiz M. 5 years ago on Google
    Ok

  • 2/5 Varis V. 5 years ago on Google
    The path is overgrown they need to trim it.

  • 5/5 The U. 6 years ago on Google
    Good

  • 5/5 Roshawn S. 6 years ago on Google
    Yea


Call (954) 357-8109 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Tourist attractions nearby

Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier image
1
Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier
Fishing pier
Public fishing pier popular for dawn & sunset strolls, with resident pelicans & ocean views.
4.70 (3.5K reviews)
Sky Zone Trampoline Park image
2
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Amusement center
Chain of indoor trampoline parks featuring freestyle bouncing, dodgeball, fitness programs & more.
4.30 (2.4K reviews)
Pompano Community Park image
3
Pompano Community Park
Park
City park with sports fields, an outdoor pool, an open-air amphitheater, a playground & BBQ grills.
4.60 (2K reviews)
Alsdorf Park Public Boat Launch image
4
Alsdorf Park Public Boat Launch
Park
👍👍 Great spot to launch your boat ! Safe ( B.S.O. Keep a good eye on this location) I noticed they have a few boats there makes it a great choice in my opinion. Also close to my home and business. * weekends it gets packed, keep in mind. I believe all ramps are very similar in that regard. So I would...
4.50 (886 reviews)
Mitchell Moore Park image
5
Mitchell Moore Park
Park
🫤 My daughter and I did a mother test for the virus here and we did by the mouth since we heard it was less painful then by the nose but still when the lady came to us to do the test by mouth, she was still aggressive with test. Made me and my daughter choke along with a little girl before us. Other...
4.40 (489 reviews)
Last updated:
()