Fern Forest Nature Center image

Fern Forest Nature Center

Tourist attraction Park Nature preserve Amphitheatre

One of the Best Places To Visits in Coconut Creek


Address

201 S Lyons Rd, Coconut Creek, FL 33063

Website

www.broward.org

Contact

(954) 357-5198

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (1.7K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Monday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Tuesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: trails (47) nature (43) park (25) walk (22) time (16) trail (15) nice (14) boardwalk (13) beautiful (13) great (12)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Raymia P. 3 years ago on Google
    Relaxing, easy to zonk out, if you a nature lover this is the place for you. Don’t hesitate try it you won’t regret it . Have a blast every time I visit.
    15 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lanie 2 months ago on Google • 15 reviews New
    Love this park! I’ve seen bunnies, raccoons, tortoises, snakes, butterflies, a fox, and lots of other wildlife here. It is free and a good way to enjoy nature or even take pictures. It has a wooden boardwalk trail and a footpath. For the footpath, I recommend wearing shoes that you can get dirty. I also recommend bringing bug spray just in case!
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 elvis j. 1 month ago on Google • 521 reviews New
    This is genuinely my new favorite hidden gem. Everything is so peaceful and serene excellent outdoor experience. That's a great option for people who aren't heavy into nature yeah, it's still offers an excellent fall out to her nature trail experience
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elizabeth H. 6 months ago on Google • 653 reviews
    Beautiful park with a few different options for exploring. The boardwalks allow for viewing of many different landscape types including drier and more wetland areas. There are also different trails of varying intensities that can also be enjoyed, though some are very muddy during rainy season. There’s an educational indoor area that seems perfect for kids and signs throughout the park to learn more about the flora and fauna.

  • 5/5 Leah D. 1 year ago on Google
    My favorite local place to go for a walk. The forest is beautiful in its natural elegance and diversity. A well established canopy with old growth trees provide ample shade on hot Florida days. There is always a mix of some dry and some wetlands to walk through. Elevated boardwalks keep you separated from the wild animals that roam the forest floor and let you enjoy the wetter parts of the park from above. There are usually beautiful birds and animals around and a great staff to help with any questions.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 A K. 2 years ago on Google
    Well maintained, fantastic trails smack in the center of Broward County. You can do as short as a 1-2 mile hike or stretch it into as many miles as you like. Trails: The pathways fork into multiple trails you can choose from. All of them have a slightly different feel to it, and it’s definitely well worth exploring each and every one of them. We went in the middle of a weekday between Christmas and New Year and they were plenty of people around! There is a big rest area with a vending machine for water and soda and also water fountains and well maintained toilets. Closer to the trails you have a hose for cleaning up your boots as well. We also spotted County provided bug and pest repellent but we strongly recommend you bringing your own. A small backpack with some trail mix, snacks, energy bars and water won’t go amiss for those longer stays. Clothes and shoes - We spotted plenty of people ambling around in shorts, t shirt and running shoes and I suppose it works for a muggy day or if you’re simply slow walking or bird watching. I’d recommend running pants, tall socks and a full sleeved running shirt to keep the ticks and mosquitoes away. We also ran into some large spider webs along the way. Trail running shoes will really come in handy if you’re into trail running. The trails are true trails - you have stones, deeply embedded roots, over growth, wet mud and other usual suspects if you’re into trail running. Bonus: We spotted a bird that seemed to be sleeping as in it wasn’t budging an inch for about ten minutes. One of the bird watchers asked us to download an app called Seek by inaturalist. You open the app, point the in-app camera at the bird (or tree or mushroom or any other nature object) and voila! You get a detailed description of the thing you’re looking at! This was probably the coolest part of the trip!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Saurabha D. 1 year ago on Google
    Awesome place situated in the middle of the city. It's lush green and so soothing. It has multiple trails, the cypress one is easier one while the nature trail might get your shoes dirty and has more bugs but you feel so close to nature. It's pretty awesome. They do have information center which is very decent. There are more than 100 parking spots so that should not be a problem. Would definitely recommend for kids(especially cypress trail) as it has side rails all along. Be prepared for the bugs/mosquitos and it's a swamp so pls expect them and don't crib about it.lol
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kendra W. 1 year ago on Google
    Great spot just off of Lyons Road. Parking is easy, and free. Plenty of trails of varying length and potential mud levels. Many paths are elevated with great views. The nature center has a cool snake for viewing and information about the natural habitat. I would love to see it updated. Fern Forest does also provide event space, and is worth a look!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 NISRINE A. 5 months ago on Google • 64 reviews
    I really enjoyed our walk in this great park. Lots of trails and different kind of trees all the way.Its well maintained and easy to navigate. Would definitely recommend if you are into outdoor activities specially in winter time where you will enjoy the beauty of this gem to the max!!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Steve P. 3 years ago on Google
    Whether you're looking for shorter or longer trails, or even trails that are on a boarded path (wheelchair accessible) or dirt, Fern Forest was the perfect visit for fresh air amidst the great weather. Upon arrival, we were glad to see that parking was plentiful and led to a direct path to the (beautifully designed) central nature center which had bathrooms, vending, and other needs available before heading into the trails. From that point, we enjoyed the boardwalk trail that took us through mangroves - this was a much shorter trail versus the dirt-trailed options. The staff onsite was more than happy to help us determine which paths would fit what we were looking for. Highly recommend bringing water and snacks to enjoy in the rest areas as it can get pretty hot and some paths aren't covered with trees. Best of all, the experience was free and the park is in excellent condition.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joe G. 2 months ago on Google • 288 reviews New
    Great place to escape the present day reality of Broward's concrete and glass to the natural habitat the way Broward used to be before all the the massive development. The experience can be a stress reliever, an education, or just a little peace and quiet from the crazy rat race outside. As a proud native of Florida, I'm quite thankful places like Fern Forest have been preserved.

  • 5/5 Mona M. 2 years ago on Google
    Some areas are muddy and wet but it makes the walk more adventurous. We enjoyed spotting all the different species of fern. Best to come on a cool breezy day! Lots of bugs out when the breeze isn’t
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Greg R. 3 years ago on Google
    I enjoyed exploring the trails in Fern Forest. This place is so close to my house, yet this is my first time visiting. I'll definitely revisit soon. I did 3.5 miles but did not do all the trails. Next time I want to have a map with me so I can try to cover the whole preserve.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ryan C. 2 years ago on Google
    This was my first time ever checking this place out. Overall, I think it was very nice. The boardwalks were quite nice and the walking trails were also interesting, although there was still a little bit of mud in certain places. Definitely nice that most of the walk is under a canopy of trees so there is lots of shade, except for a couple portions that are out in an open area. Nice place for a walk through nature if you need to escape the craziness of Broward County.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jenny D. 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome Trails !! It’s a total hike! - one of the trails was seasonally too wet to trek, but the rest was perfect ! Several different trails with totally different vibes. A good whole morning spent outside. & we Met some gopher turtles! Hi Buddy!!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Keith V. 3 years ago on Google
    This place REALLY IS a Fern Forest. I fully expect fairies and hobbits to appear!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ari E. 1 month ago on Google • 225 reviews New
    This is the best 2-mile nature walk in Coconut Creek by far. Half is a meandering boardwalk, which makes the hike totally accessible to wheelchairs, strollers, and slightly infirm. The other half (when not muddy) is a lush trek through a canopy of trees and ferns. It took us 50 minutes to briskly walk through most of the trails. That was perfect for us on a Sunday afternoon. The Nature Center is closed on weekends, so that saved time. Sadly, when we left, the police were in the parking lot. Apparently, someone broke a car window for a "smash & grab" of someone's purse left on the front seat of the car.

  • 5/5 Taisha C. 10 months ago on Google
    Amazing gem! There's two type of trails, a wooden boardwalk and dirt trails. Both very nice! Be sure to put bug repellent. They have a shoe cleaning station when you get out of the dirt trails.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justin S. 7 months ago on Google
    This is a wonderful place. They have several trails . One trail will get quite swampy ,especially during the rainy season. There's a small creek/ ditch you can walk along. Boardwalk trail. You can bring your kids here for a walk . They can see the ducks and turtles
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sofía Martínez R. 6 months ago on Google
    I fell in love with this place, if you like the nature, you will definitely enjoy this place, very nice to clear your mind. The staff does an excellent job since they have that place well taken care of. I will definitely return to this place soon 🩷
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marina O. 3 years ago on Google
    Fern Forest is one of my favorite hidden gems in South Florida. It is a very peaceful, tranquil park. Staff is always very nice and helpful, and they are always happy to ask my questions about the plants in the park. Bathrooms are nice and clean, they kind of look like the bathrooms you'd expect to see in a spa or a nice hotel. 1 trail is fully suspended from the ground and is fully wheelchair accessible. Other trails are primitive, but we had no trouble getting a stroller onto most of them (except Maple walk, that one i only entered during very dry season). Some trails become pretty much swampy when it rains a lot, so if you feel like wandering there in the rain, i recommend wearing rainboots. Mosquito spray is always a plus; they used to have it available in the park, but not after covid-19 hit (at least in my experience). Plenty of beautiful spots to take pictures at, lots of birds, squirrels, turtles, tortoises, iguanas and other wildlife. If you go in mid-October through late November, trees (staff told me they are marlberries) are in bloom. Not only the trees look like veiled brides, it smells heavenly. Fern Forest is the place that gives me peace and full feeling like I'm in the actual forest while still being in the city.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Krysten D. 3 years ago on Google
    Fern Forest Nature center is a beautiful and large nature centure. This is my third visit and every time I've been here its been a completely different experience because of the parks different plant communities and walking areas. The first time ive been here was many years ago for an event. They have space for a small event which may not be available due to COVID at the time of this review but i would call to find out when it is safer. The second time I went for a family nature walk throughthe trail that didnt have the boardwalk. The third time, and with my camera this time, we went on the boardwalk and learned some of the history of the park as well. Valuable knowlege if you are a local naturalist, nature love, etc. I will be visiting more often.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Danny B. 1 year ago on Google
    It's a nice little place. The paths are plenty wide, it's evident there's a lot of foot traffic through. The trails on Prarie were kinda plain and nothing too amazing, especially once you get out of the woods. The Prarie overlook site was overrated in my opinion. I took two paths today that ended in a total dead end, I thought that was a little strange. Parking was a complete nightmare today, up to 1 hr before close. I saw there was maybe an event so I truly hope that's the reason.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Debbie E. 1 year ago on Google
    It's a beautiful park with ample parking. We didn't go into the nature center itself, but walked the trails.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Winkley B. 10 months ago on Google
    Great place when you are in the area and you simply want quiet and peace in your day. Just ten minutes here is sufficient to relax but I stay the whole day. It's perfect.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nikki D. 3 years ago on Google
    I love this park, they have trails. Bridge walkways. Very lush, and beautiful nature walkways. You can have a picnic, or just connect with the universe and nature alike. Also if your lucky on some occasion you’ll see, turtles and all kinds of birds.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dawn S. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to get in touch with nature. Wood boardwalks if you don’t want the real live walk in the woods, or there’s another path that gets you in good with nature.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rachel S. 3 years ago on Google
    Lovely nature center and boardwalk. My girlfriends and I took advantage of the gorgeous weather this weekend and spent a few hours here walking the Cypress Creek Loop, Wetlands Wander and Prairie Overlook. Huge variety of plants and trees and the occasional wildlife. We looked for Gopher Tortoise but no luck. A peaceful, quiet way to pass the time and connect with nature.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Mark S. 11 months ago on Google
    Very nice quiet place to take a scenic walk and enjoy some nature. The walkways are comfortable and easy to navigate.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Emmanuel D. 3 years ago on Google
    This is my first time at this place. If you enjoy couple or family walk in the nature even alone you're welcome. You are a new comer like me go to the nature center at the office and get map of the trails and choose whatever you like and start your journey, you'll feel like in the wild and don't forget your face mask. My kids and I had fun walking in the mud, lol, don't worry they have a shoe washing station to help you with the mud.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sendy B. 2 months ago on Google • 66 reviews New
    Very beautiful boardwalk trail, with a nature information Center in the middle. My children really enjoyed the trails and then loved the center where they ended their experience working on a puzzle together.

  • 5/5 Marcel R. 8 months ago on Google
    Love hiking the trails here. Great place to kearn about animals in the air conditioned nature center. Delightful and knowledgeable staff. Chris with a constant smile helped us with all our questions 😁 They also have a calendar of great upcoming events that fill up quickly so go online and plan ahead if you are interested in any upcoming tours, etc.

  • 5/5 Aqua A. 1 year ago on Google
    Been a local for years, been here before, first time back since COVID. It's always a treat. BCPnR always have it so well maintained. The residents are too cute!

  • 5/5 Levente B. 3 years ago on Google
    Hidden gem in the urban world!..

  • 5/5 César Augusto García G. 3 years ago on Google
    Great for walking and have contact with the nature

  • 5/5 Malina G. 3 years ago on Google
    Great experience

  • 5/5 Patrick K. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful but small

  • 5/5 Sean M. 11 months ago on Google
    Park ranger was super kind and informative, despite our arrival via Uber 45min prior to closing on a rainy Wednesday. We walked one of the quick loops, a raised boardwalk, that could be done in 20-30 minutes. Very pleasant stroll through a protected bubble of nature.

  • 5/5 Maria S. 1 year ago on Google
    First time here and was amazing! Park very clean, not a lot of people, relaxing with beautiful trees and nature the park is big if you really like to walk this is a good place to come

  • 5/5 Sobeida A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Quiet and pretty (Original) Trankilo y bonito

  • 5/5 john d. 10 months ago on Google
    Beautiful place to walk and see native Florida wildlife and plants bring rain boots hiking shoes or shoes you don't mind getting mud on they have wash stations

  • 5/5 Marilyn L. 1 year ago on Google
    If you like hiking, then this is the place for you! A lot of trails, both on boardwalks and on the ground. Lots of nature to see!

  • 5/5 Maibritt C. 3 years ago on Google
    Wonderful experience with a lot of kids and step kids. We took almost every trail. Good thing to do to get back to nature

  • 5/5 candace // w. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice walk, calm environment. Feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, yet still in the city. Fern Forest was a fun, relaxing place for walk in nature, whether solitary, as a couple or a family.

  • 5/5 T P. 3 years ago on Google
    Absolutely beautiful park it is a hidden gem

  • 4/5 Pablo R. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Excellent place (Original) Excelente lugar

  • 5/5 Carmela G. 3 years ago on Google
    Great trails. Well maintained. Good signage. Lovely hammock. Folks there all wearing masks. Enjoyable and highly recommended

  • 5/5 STACYANN E. 6 months ago on Google
    Lovely place; has different terrains for different activities and exploration...quite big...

  • 4/5 Ken O. 3 years ago on Google
    I've always loved this park. I can remember back in the 70's when much of the surrounding g area looked like this. So glad it's being preserved for future generations .

  • 5/5 Maggie E. 3 years ago on Google
    This is our go to park. We go once a week. During normal times 5 stars all the way. It is the park closest to our house and it is a very easy park to walk thanks to it's raised boardwalks. There's even a great place to get married there, with a banquet hall upstairs and a covered ampitheater surrounded by trees beneath. The wholeplace is beautiful, almost magical. My son refers to the park as "the jungle". Right now during COVID the boardwalks are a bit tight for 2 people passing one another to socially distance which usually leads to an awkward grab for masks as you pass each other. My son is a toddler and masks aren't happening so I try to only bring him places where we can keep enough distance between ourselves and others as much as possible. There are trails in the back of the park that don't use their elevated boardwalk system, but unless you use the restricted employee access road you still need to initially use the boardwalk to get to those trails. The trails generally have a lot of mud if it has rained at all and there is a shoe wash station to clean off. High mosquito activity on the back trails too.

  • 4/5 Mriam B. 3 years ago on Google
    There were signs of all the animals that reside but only saw these 4 turtles, one 🦋 and the tail of a black snake going back into the woods thank God lol. It's a cool breezy place to get your 🚶‍♂️

  • 5/5 Tim L. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful day. Mosquito activity very low. Saw a tortoise and a snake on a lily pad

  • 5/5 Bethzaida C. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful park! Very nice trails. Very nicely kept. Great opportunity to enjoy nature up-close.

  • 4/5 a b. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very relaxing (Original) Muy relajante

  • 5/5 Amber T. 3 years ago on Google
    Loved it!! Water is so clear the trails are so pretty highly recommend

  • 5/5 Laura M. 3 years ago on Google
    Magnificent place to get lost

  • 5/5 C. C. 3 years ago on Google
    Very clean and safe to visit up until 5pm

  • 4/5 Nick The One Minute Property M. 3 years ago on Google
    Its great the bridge looks bigger online

  • 5/5 Linda S. 3 years ago on Google
    This nature preserve has everything a walker could want ... an elevated boardwalk through swampy areas wth ferns and cypress + lots of shade, ground level trails through a thick primordial forest, and an open prairie perimeter sandy road. Brilliant and not overly crowded even on weekends. Unfortunately despite the many hours I spent there, no birds or animals were observed.

  • 5/5 Neal M. 3 years ago on Google
    A beautiful place to walk or hike. The nature center is currently closed due to COVID but all the trails are open. Highly recommended!!

  • 5/5 N H. 3 years ago on Google
    I needed a tree fix.. I love being in a forest calms me down and today was a bad day and this place made me feel great they have walking trails I only did one but what I saw made me feel great it's right off the Florida turnpike and west on Atlantic in Margate

  • 5/5 Golda K. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful and peaceful. Perfect place for nice nature outing with young kids

  • 5/5 Jill L. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful!!

  • 5/5 Sonciearay E. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice atmosphere, lots of unique flora.

  • 5/5 Kim R. 3 years ago on Google
    This is something my family does with the kids. Its beautiful and has benches for pic nic long board walks..sight seeing especially for those of us who enjoy nature and animals. Mask and social distancing in place. During this pandemic it can be difficult trying to find a safe enough place where children can have a little freedom and to also get out of the house. I highly suggest this park. My family's weekly outings are Sundays. We cook at home..sandwiches, and take our little coolers, pre baked food from a deli and we make it a day of bonding and fun..

  • 5/5 David H. 3 years ago on Google
    It's a great place to get your kids out of the house and enjoy nature but be prepared some of the trails are on the ground and you may get your shoes a little dirty but it's worth it

  • 5/5 Rosslyn A. 3 years ago on Google
    I love this park ....I got to see the Gopher Tortoises and the staff is amazing !!

  • 5/5 Beatrice M. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place to go and enjoy nature,quiet and nice trails.

  • 3/5 John 3 years ago on Google
    expected more wildlife but everything was quiet. Enjoyed the raised boardwalk.

  • 5/5 Lanae R. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful

  • 5/5 Addin R. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place

  • 5/5 Alexie p. 3 years ago on Google
    Clean, beautiful and well taken care of ✨

  • 5/5 Lourdes C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I love it 🌳🌲🌴🌵 (Original) Me encanta 🌳🌲🌴🌵

  • 5/5 Kathleen G. 3 years ago on Google
    Well marked trails. Interesting ferns and ponds.

  • 5/5 D'Artagnan P. 2 years ago on Google
    Some of the trails can muddy at times, but great place to walk amongst nature. Check out the tours and events they offer

  • 5/5 Joseph F. 2 months ago on Google • 2 reviews New
    Large nature park with a good variety of trails and environments. Boardwalks are well maintained along with the nature center. The Prairie Overlook and Dry Prairie trails on the south side of the park are a nice change in scenery compared to the wetlands along the boardwalks.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍


Call (954) 357-5198 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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