Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Reviews

Although the admission fee is a little high, it's valid for two successive days, which we took advantage of. The wildlife you can see varies with the time of day/year as well as the weather. We saw a variety of creatures including baby alligators, swamp pandas (raccoons), heron, ibis, anhingas and otters. Guides along the boardwalk were very helpful in pointing out interesting plants, animals and helped in identifying bird calls. The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible. I would suggest bringing water. It's a bit of a drive out of Naples or Fort Myers, but the roads are good.

What a beautiful place to explore the natural world and wildlife in Florida.
Let’s hope the State of Florida can learn preserving such beauty adds to the value of Florida.....people don’t want to visit just malls and stores.

This was our first outing after arriving at Marco Island. It's not the best place for people in a hurry. We saw the most when we took the time to be quiet and watchful. We marveled at the plants, lizards, the texture of the trees' bark, the sounds, the peacefulness. There were birds we'd never seen before that other people missed because they were rushing through. The boardwalk was an easy walk -- not too short or too long. Visitors of all ages were there - grandparents and babies. We were there in February and no bug spray was needed. Bring a hat or visor because the sun is bright.

This was a very nice place to visit. Saw Giant Egret hunting as well as Great Blue Heron hunting. 2 Pilated woodpeckers and then saw this strange colorful patterned "thing" in. the water.

Every time we go we see new things and learn more. This time is was tons of warblers, red shouldered hawks, so many woodpeckers and spectacular scenery

$14 entry fee but you get a 2 day pass. Me and my adult son spent 4 hours here. The gift shop is very nice. We bought a couple of Audobaun books and a souvenir when we first arrived and the cashier volunteered to hold our purchases until We were done touring. We did the free guided walk at 930a, I highly recommend doing this (lots of info). We didnt rent the binoculars, they would have been useful but the guide volunteered his when birds were spotted. We saw several birds but none of the plumes birds but probably due to the time of year. We saw a small alligator and several raccoons. In the grasslands area we saw HUGE grasshoppers. We saw the illusive ghost orchids and some swamp lilies. The Cabbage Lakes nice. Lots of benches along the way. During this time of year flies and mosquitos are not a problem.

This was an amazing experience, walking on that walkway through the swamp, we saw a hawk, woodpeckers and many other birds. It is so quiet and relaxing!

A disappointing and expensive day at this over-hyped tourist attraction. Other than a very long walk, there was really nothing to see on this particular day..... except some interesting trees and wetlands. Not many birds or other animals to keep our interest up for the two hour walk. Would not recommend this place to anyone, considering the entrance fee.

It was a nice 2 hour stroll along the boardwalk. We went early morning and the weather was nice so it felt good to be outdoors. They are limiting the number of people to enter at certain times so it wasn’t too crowded. Unfortunately, we didn’t see too many animals: just a raccoon and baby raccoon, and one alligator. There were many birds. We could hear a woodpecker most of the 2 hours we were there. Educational placards were all along the trails so you could learn quite a bit about the animals and area.

This is without a doubt one of our favourite locations near Naples. The best time to visit is during a 'hot', sunny day. That way, the animals are out, especially the gators. On cooler, windy days, the animals hide, trying to stay warm. A partly cloudy day is more 'forgiving' when you're out of the shade. Some of the birds are quite used to humans, if you just stand quietly and stay back with your camera. If you have long lenses, I recommend at least 300mm, as you'll likely need that to capture gators that choose to stay in the background. As well, you'll see owls, woodpeckers and Anhingas that keep their distance.

A great way to spend 2-3 hours...if not more. That's why it is best to arrive early morning to avoid the usual mid-day crowds.

Beautiful boardwalk and great bird watching. We came in the afternoon, but I am guessing the morning is the best for seeing a multitude of birds. Loved the trees, marshes and wetlands, as well. You can take a free tour or head out on your own. We prefered to go at our own pace, so did not do a tour.

We had an incredible experience at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples, Florida! Rosa and I visited on Friday morning, and it was a true highlight of our trip. The sanctuary is a nature lover's paradise, with a 2.5-mile boardwalk winding through a stunning cypress forest.

We spotted an alligator basking in the sun, woodpeckers flitting through the trees, raccoons scurrying about, and even an armadillo making a rare appearance! The sheer variety of wildlife and vegetation is breathtaking. The massive cypress trees, some over 500 years old, are a sight to behold.

The sanctuary is well-maintained, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. We left with a deeper appreciation for the beauty and importance of preserving our natural world.

If you're in the area, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a must-visit. We can't wait to return and explore more of its secrets!

Beautiful boardwalk through nature. It was very quiet when we were there. We didn't meet any other people and therefore we had the feeling of being immersed in nature. Great experience. The sound of crickets and other animals that you don't always see. Bring plenty of water and bug spray! It was very hot when we were there. You can make plenty of stops along the way. It took us two hours and we walked at our leisure.

Our first time here and we enjoyed the boardwalk thru the swamp which is totally different than on the airboat rides. The signage is very good and we learned alot. We do recommend bug repellent too. We hoped to see more animals but there were only a few out. It was still a good hike.

We visited Corkscrew Swamp Audubon Sanctuary Dec 9th 2019. It's wintertime, so many birds are keeping warm and hiding but we saw lots of birds, 1 alligator and 1 Fresh Water Otter. Heard lots of birds that were deeper in the swamp. Staff there was very warm and helpful. My husband and I were taking the trip for our anniversary. I'm handicapped, so we used my wheelchair as it has boardwalks with different ways to go but the total walking length is 2.25 miles of boardwalk. The wooden walk is well maintained with lots of benches along the way to stop and rest or take in the scenery. You can spend a lot or a little time there. This place is the home of the famous Ghost Orchid that only blooms from the end of June through the end of September, so we didn't get to see it. Great trip!!

I’ve been in Florida most of my life but hadn’t had a chance to experience this place until now. I obviously wanted to schedule it in the winter/spring time. I highly doubt it would be as enjoyable during the summer heat.

The boardwalk is impeccable. I’ve seen other reviews saying otherwise. I’m not sure what people are expecting. It was sturdy and very safe.

We arrived at 11am - I would recommend arriving when they open. Likely much more to see and less people. It wasn’t crowded by any means but some guests did not respect the peace of it all and spoke loudly. They scared away the wildlife. That was a bit frustrating for me. There was a sign at the beginning of the trail that noted how voices travel and to be respectful. They should have them placed often through the trail. You want to hear all the sounds.

$17 a person was more than reasonable when you think about everything that goes into preserving and maintaining this beautiful Sanctuary.

There is so much to see in this beautiful state so I’d likely not return but would highly recommend it to everyone.

Love this place and try to be patient with the stompers, cell phone talkers, people dragged along seemingly against their will with no interest in wildlife.... Have been multiple times and each time we make at least two loops with a snack break in between at the beginning. Each walk is different and we have seen a multitude of birds, reptiles, amphibians and some mammals. Helpful hints- walk with quiet footsteps, listen (more important than talking), stop and look. If you want to walk from exhibit to exhibit, this may or may not “disappoint” you - depending on the time of year and your behavior.

The walk is nice and long enough; but for people who take their birding seriously, the experience overall is disappointing.

We saw 8 or 9 species today, about the same number we have seen on other visits; but nothing at all unusual. On other walks; we have seen Barred Owls as well as Painted Buntings at the feeders. But the feeders have been taken down and the owls must have been sleeping.

In a 2 hour period; 8 or 9 species of common birds does not compel us to return any time soon.

There are half a dozen other walks in this area that offer better sightings with no charge or a very minimal one. $34 for this experience just was not worth it.

Lovely walk on elevated wooden walkway throughout the swamp sanctuary. We were able to see two alligators and all kinds of birds.
You can choose a short walk or the one that is about two miles long.
There is a lovely gift shop on the premises as well.

We paid a significant entry fee to access the sanctuary, and an additional fee for a map of the trail. We saw 2 birds (that we see along the roads all the time) and a lizard. Many people we spoke to, who had been there before, said they had never seen so few creatures during previous visits. It could be climate change, or it could just be bad luck, but our review of this facility is that it was a complete waste of money.

Miles of boardwalk that wind through a cypress swamp. We saw woodpeckers, turtles, a small alligator and a pair of raccoons. A great way to connect with nature that is accessible to all.

Arrived at the facility in the early morning. Enjoyed a leisurely two and a half hour walk. Lots to see. Many birds, varied landscapes, and interesting sittings. Took some great photos! Important to use binoculars, available to rent for a $3 fee or bring your own. A relaxing nature walk. Loved the gift shop.

Took the boardwallk trail in late April, right before the rainy season. As a result, we were able to see gators staying cool in close proximity to a number of wading birds and the occasional racoon (non-rabid - normal for these to be out in the day). Trail is well maintained, and because the sanctuary was not overly-crowded, my wife and I enjoyed true peacefulness while observing nature.

This park is simply beautiful and amazing. Most of the walk it’s just shady beautiful trees until you come to the water where all the life of the swamp comes alive . It’s a beautiful place of nature at its finest . So many birds , fish and wildlife it’s hard to encompass it all at once .

Favourite place for an easy stroll through the swamp without getting wet! Arrive early to avoid heat and crowds and still the boardwalk enjoying the quiet and forest sounds.

Incredible place, peaceful and beautiful. The boardwalk trail goes through grasslands, a pine stand, swampland and the untouched Cypress forest with trees unlike anywhere else on the planet, literally. We took a leisurely walk and that’s how to do it. Go slow and enjoy.

workers gave us a hard time. they raise prices while they have everything but the boardwalk shut down. no cafe. no tours. no bird feeders, no film. just higher prices and mean staff. you can see the same wildlife at the bird rookery for free with no rude people.

Timed entry meant there were fewer people, no worries. A beautiful walk with great sounds and sights. Bring your walking shoes. A few people told us they went around twice. There were enthusiastic bird watchers with their cameras out!

I remember this place 20 years ago. ("Woodstorks galore")It is different now. Today Feb 3rd - we saw a few warblers; 10 raccoons; 3 pleated woodpeckers, 1 limpkin, 1 ibus; 1 red shouldered hawk, 3 anhingas. I could have seen this same choice of birds at any lake/pond in Florida. The roads leading up to the Sanctuary are all subdivision/golf courses/ strip malls. The few farms that were left are being sold and housing is going in. The cost of $17.00 a person is obviously needed for the upkeep of boardwalk. This was just a big disappointment. When I voiced this to a volunteer, he said well it is the time of year. After a short discussion he admits it "used" to be a great birding location. I won't be back here again. We came here as part of our birding the coast of Florida (East and West) and this just doesn't have anything to offer. We left here drove down the road to Crew-Bird Rookery Swamp - (free); in the parking lot was a Great Blue Heron; Snowy and Anhinga. Saw several birds on the drive to get there also. This is a walk able, ride able location that you don't need any reservations for.
For your information: Corkscrew has a cafe that opens at 10:00 with very limited snack items. The gift shop was well organized and had nice items. The bathrooms are clean, there was drinking water.

I suspect this place is hit or miss when it comes to seeing wildlife. We visited in the early afternoon. We walked the long boardwalk and saw two birds. I was told it gets very busy in April. It definitely wasn’t worth $17 per person on the day we visited. Again, to be fair, it might have just been a bad day (or time of day) for birding.

On our way to the sanctuary I researched & found admission was $17 each AND had to be purchased prior to our arrival. Binoculars are available to rent once you enter the building for $3. Wheelchairs also available but saw no sign about the cost. We arrived at 9:30, binoculars around our neck along with a sling to carry our ice cold water bottle. Temp expected to reach 88 degrees. Clean/well maintained restrooms are outside the main entrance. By the time we left, after going into the shop to buy water for our 90minute ride home, we’d walked 2.6 miles. The shop sells jewelry, T-shirts, metal figures, etc. Being avid birdwatchers we strolled along slowly. Randomly along the handicapped accessible wood boardwalk there are sections of shade & wood benches to rest, some with a roof overhead. The boardwalk closes at 3pm. We saw countless birds, singing, flying & perched in trees and in the water & heard many more. Butterflies, lizards, dragonflies, turtles, a raccoon & a few gators. Was a pleasurable day outdoors!

I really loved this place, and more than I'd expected to. It takes about 2ish hours to do the full walk, and the boardwalk goes through lovely swampland and grass areas - diverse and beautiful and atmospheric. I saw baby crocs and some lovely birds too. A wonderful way to see some Florida nature up close.

Got soaked but loved the boardwalk very much.
Saw snakes, birds, little gators and beautiful lizzards 🍀

This is well worth a visit . Easy boardwalk around with a helpful guide to help naming birds and plants . Lots of viewing spots around the walk and plenty of places to sit and watch. We saw lots of different plants and birds , raccoon , snake , alligator and turtles .

The sanctuary is a beautiful nature preserve with a winding boardwalk so that visitors never damage this fragile environment. It's difficult to describe in words how much a visitor can experience. It's up to you. We took about 2 and a half hours but we stopped frequently. There are signs describing what to see in the different areas but I would recommend purchasing the small pamphlet at the visitors' entrance. I didn’t purchase it but I wish I had. It contains pictures and descriptions of the birds and other wildlife that the guides along the trail didn’t cover.
The cost is $17 per adult and less for children. No senior rates. But since all of the fees go to caring for the sanctuary, it's worth the price. I brought bug spray thinking I would need some but according to the information posted, mosquitos are not a problem. If you are visiting Florida and need a day out of the sun, you'll find that the walk is mostly shady with sunlight coming through the trees. It's absolutely beautiful! Please visit and support this beautiful place!
Here’s a brainteaser for you: what do you think the purpose is for the cypress knees? Scientists don’t seem to know.

Loved feeling immersed in a Florida swamp today from the safety of an intricate boardwalk! The trail allows visitors to move at their own pace with plenty of options to rest and observe along the way. We made use of a couple of the many rain shelters as infamous Florida showers dropped on us. Honestly sitting in the rainy breeze watching the tropical foliage sway was a highlight. As a Florida local, I found this to be one of the better preserves we’ve visited.

Kudos for the water offering a water bottle filling station and stocking canned water to limit single use plastic.

I will definitely be back with guests. Next time I’ll pack a lunch so I can pause longer along the journey.

Although we had come to the Sanctuary a few years back; this recent visit totally changed our opinion.

It is a large and beautiful property with a fairly long boardwalk. But on our first visit; we were walking quickly and saw very few birds.

The most recent exploration was an entirely different experience. We deliberated on the walk, stopping frequently and allowing sufficient time to do the whole walk.

We saw and were able to get decent photographs of a wide variety of birds fairly close up. We were so happy with the outing that we became members. Despite our living an hour away; our intention is to return here with great regularity.

This place is gorgeous. The boardwalk is in great shape. There is a lot of shade so we were comfortable despite the Florida sun and heat. If you really want to take your time, you could easily spend about 3 hours at this place. We didn't see as much wildlife as we had hoped for but then we were on a tight time schedule. Even so just the relaxing nature of the place and the beauty made it worthwhile. If I had anything negative to say, I feel the $17 per person is a bit much for a place like this.

We have been to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary a few times over the years and it is a great place to watch wildlife in the wild. However there has been a slow decline in the maintenance of the park. While they suffered a big hit from Hurricane Irma in 2017, it has not fully recovered. Parts of the boardwalk remain closed for repairs. Combine the portion of the boardwalk damaged, the portion of the boardwalk closed for nesting and the increased admission prices, it makes it less of a value for locals. It is still a nice place, but I hope they can get back to where they were a few years ago

We were out for a sight seeing tour. Got to see lots of birds, lizards, snakes, and alligators. The naturalists along the boardwalk were very friendly and informative!

Always a nice walk. Currently, open to Members only. Be sure to make a reservation. We have been told the Sanctuary will be open to the public in a few weeks.

Memberships are available online.

We booked online which was very easy to do and showed up a few minutes before. The entire sanctuary is a 2.25 mile (3.5 km) loop along a boardwalk. We had elderly parents with us in wheelchairs (available for free but first come, first served) but thanks to the level boardwalk, pushing them was a breeze. You can take a shorter 1 mile loop that brings you right to the swamp which is where you’ll see the most wildlife. We took the longer route and enjoyed the foliage, but the swamp,alone would be worth the price of admission. Many gators, including 6-8 babies, along with pelicans, cranes and other birds.

I was pretty disappointed. We seen a snake in the beginning but not much else until the very end. We walked for 30 minutes without even a bird chirping. We did see a croc with babies but like I mentioned not until the end of the hike. To be honest I would not waste my time.

Really worth coming out here to visit the swamp. I almost didn’t bother because it seemed a little out of the way but I’m so glad I made it! I love the educational boards dotted all over the place. Really accessible too (from a pram perspective), stepfree access.

Oh my gosh! The highlight of our trip so far. We always seek the nature experiences and are novice birders, so this was treat.
Closes at 3 pm so go early
You can regester online for entry. There is a charge, 17.00 for adults. I feel like the timed entry is to control the flow. Birds, birds, birds & gators in the pools. We were here in the dry season so wildlife congregated where ther was water. Its 2+ mile board walk. Gift shop, snack bar and restrooms at visitor center. It was such a good experience for us we canceled a air boat trip to return at the 8 am opening.

Great raised boardwalk through the swamp.Good bird viewing is in several diverse environments. We liked seeing the giant bald cypress trees!

Forget about Everglades National Park because Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is Florida's premier nature experience. Actually, don't really forget about the Everglades, I was just trying to build up some drama in my writing. Moreover, Corkscrew Swamp and the Everglades are both pretty much the same biotope. Upon entering, I thought the $14 entrance fee was very steep for what would only be a 1.6-mile boardwalked loop. Honestly, about 2 hours later (and that's really how long it will take you to immerse yourself in this natural wonderland), I would have gladly paid more. Thanks to a boardwalk, pretty much anyone can enjoy this swamp environment (you don't even need hiking boots for it) and contemplate about how Florida must have looked before settlers started moving in. Corkscrew protects stands of old-growth bald cypresses, as a matter of fact some of the oldest in the entire country. The preserve also has the illustrious ghost orchid (they have a telescope up so you can spot it from a distance). It's just a magical swampland. Unfortunately, July is not a good time for watching wildlife. We saw some woodpeckers, brown and green anoles, anhinga and a cardinal, but I can image this place is buzzing during migrating season. Corkscrew, which is run by the Audubon Society, should be on anyone's "Florida to-do list". It's an immersion in the Sunshine State's sheer natural beauty, which is under constant pressure and which, I feel, should be preserved for the future.

It is a unique walk, just like in the park, but it’s jungle. It’s short, easy walk. Anybody can do it!!

This is really nice place to walk and see nature, seeing aligators in their homes while you are safe is a lifetime experience, saw many other birds like herons, hawks, owls ...etc.
Its almost 2 hours and it is shady, would recommend bug spray though.
I think it was $17 a person which is reasonable, it is for sure worth the visit.

Loved this place! About 10am all the gators started bellowing to each other. One even popped up bellowing under the boardwalk where I was standing. It was such a neat experience. I really appreciate the history and the multi-layered ecosystem. I can’t wait to come back again!

Visited here yesterday and had a wonderful time. Got chance to speak to Phil brenda and dick the volunteers who were very informative.
We spent over 2 hours getting back to nature and experiencing some wonderful walking areas. We saw raccoon pig frog snakes woodpeckers lizards. Alas no alligators.
All in all good value and would recommend. Take your time don't rush!!!!

Easy route in the shade, quiet and with a view of the habitat of local wildlife. We encountered raccoons, herons, alligators and woodypecker and many other birds

Always a changing environment, and that is what is so fascinating about Corkscrew. Third visit, never the same time of day or month. Since my last visit, the Sanctuary has weathered a hurricane. It culled the dying and dead trees. Quite a clean up job. But in this part of Florida, regrowth is rampant and volunteerism is in plentiful supply. Do not miss this opportunity to see old Florida!

Liked this place so much we went three times. Twice by day on our own and once for an evening guided walk. The boardwalk is a little over two miles, but you can go at your own pace so if it takes you five hours, so be it (other than for the guided tour, when you need to keep up). Alligators, herons, snakes, ibises.

One of the best natural areas we have ever visited. It's a 2+ mile boardwalk where you stroll through varied ecosystems representative of SW Florida. It includes the largest old growth Bald Cypress forest in North America. After a slow start due to unusually cold weather, the wildlife exploded into view with multitudes of Ibis, egrets, several types of herons, woodpeckers, anhinga, warblers, etc. There were raptors in the air and even a Barred Owl calling in the distance. We also saw an alligator as well as a wide variety of water based and epiphytic plants. Our photos won't do it justice - you have to visit. Preregistration is required online and entry closes at 1 pm. Pick a warm day (not hard for FL) and plan on spending 2-4 hours if you love nature. And bring your binoculars.

Enjoy a part of preserved Florida. Walk on a 2.5 mile boardwalk and marvel at a 500 year old cypress tree or see an alligator resting on a lettuce lake. With luck, you may spot a red shouldered hawk up close, a swallow-tail kite or a great blue heron. I am sure each time you visit you will be awed by what nature has to offer. A great way to support the Audubon Society and a big reminder to conserve water and natural resources.

Unique place to visit where you can see a variety of wildlife. Best to walk slowly and quietly to see it all. At a moderate pace it takes 2-2.5 hours. I was a bit hesitant knowing there are gators there but the boardwalk is perfectly safe.

I have to agree with many of the reviewers here - wildlife was scarce on our walk through the sanctuary. Perhaps it was the time of year. Regardless, we spent an enjoyable couple of hours walking the boardwalk, admiring the trees and the incredible environment. Being observant really pays off, and she will catch a lot of little details as you walk by.

We did get to see a rather large gator sunning himself on a log in the distance, but that was about it. No birds, no critters, it was very quiet. However it was two hours well spent.

We visited in January 2020 and our goal was to see a Painted Bunting. We saw them right off the bat at the bird feeder outside of the visitor's center, which has a beautiful gift shop, a wonderful cafe, and informative displays. The Painted Buntings seen and appreciated, we could then enjoy the most beautiful walk on a pristine boardwalk through an actual swamp full of birds! Among the many birds we saw, the most exotic were the Pileated Woodpeckers, a Scarlet Tanager, and Anhingas. Your $15 admission is good for two days, and this place is pristine, beautiful, magical and was the highlight of our trip! We stayed in Bonita Springs and it was about a 45 minute drive. We did go two days in a row and the second day was when the nighttime temps got down into the 30s. We did not see the Painted Buntings the second day. But simply walking along this 2.5 mile boardwalk through the beautiful habitats is a magical experience. The light, the sounds, the vegetation, the birds, a mother alligator, a raccoon. This place is a delight in every way!

Beautiful natural setting. Boardwalk hike is a little over 2 miles. Gators and birds abound. This is what real Florida used to look like.

There is an admission fee, but no maps were given. The boardwalk is long, but there is a shortcut which was a big help. We have problems walking and standing, so benches were always welcome, but could have used more. We saw few birds, but had good views of some and were able to see some baby alligators and learn more about them. We didn’t have time to look around the visitor center.

A beautiful facility, a lot of time, education, and work went into its creation. I thought it was very petty to charge for simple map of boardwalk. More park rangers on site to conduct tours would be a excellent way to educate visitors
... Every day.

Beautiful trail that was worth the drive out of naples. I came in hopes of seeing gators and let with much more, I saw many birds, an owl, a raccoon, and even baby gators.

At first it felt quiet and peaceful with birdsong. Then I was eager to see some movement, enjoy wildlife as I walked… and walked. Nothing. And I was there first thing in the morning too, with my camera, hoping for best viewing. I saw a squirrel, a frog, a grasshopper and the biggest thing was an anhinga. I had hoped for more. I have a good eye for spotting things too. Just nothing around the boardwalk in sight. I enjoyed the foliage. And the informational signs were helpful. I thought the other signs were preachy. Nature loving people know that nature needs us not to abuse it. Not worth the drive out and time spent. I enjoyed the Naples Botanical Garden far more.

The Corkscrew sanctuary is a well run and is easily accessible by road. However, signage to find the property is not readily available, until very near, so research of your route is more than just an advisory.
Once there, their is plentiful parking. Entrance is charged currently at $14 each as a non member, and for our visit, a guided tour by one of the very knowledgeable volunteers was given.
The property is essentially a boardwalk around the Cypress trees that used to abound in the area, and is home to a variety of birds and other wildlife. Our guide was very informative, and gave an excellent walk and talk about the history and wildlife that we came across. This lasted for about an hour, after which we were left to complete the circuit at our own pace. Of note, the power of Hurricane Irma is still evident to see form up rooted and damaged trees. A salutary reminder of the power of nature.
To get the best, you certainly have to be alert, and look all around, but the key is not to be noisy. Obviously, the number and variety of things you may see will be dependent on season, weather, and time of day, hence the value of a guide to start.
Overall, a great place to visit to see things an an unspoilt environment.

Because of the time of year I didn’t expect the sanctuary to be teeming with life. I was pleasantly surprised to see alligators, a variety of birds, salamanders, and interesting plants. NO BUGS! Friendly staff. My husband and I very much enjoyed the 2.25mi walk through the sanctuary. Time well spent.

Always a beautiful walk! Love seeing the many birds and wildlife. It’s one of my favorite places to visit. Make sure to stay hydrated in summer, it’s HOT.

While this a unique habitat to walk through, we saw very little wildlife. We got there at 1 pm. Saw 2 alligators and only a handful of birds. Perhaps it would be worth a phone call to ask what time of day the wildlife is most active...

There is about a 2 1/2 mile boardwalk with swamp, Cypress trees, alligators, birds, floating lettuce.... Had a great day here. There are volunteers along the way to answer questions. One of the volunteers had binoculars to share and we saw baby alligators. $14 entrance fee. Lots of parking.

My wife and I spent a few hours there February 27, 2020 during our trip to March Island. It is a phenomenal place for birdwatching. We arrived around 8 am and walked on the boardwalk. The boardwalk goes through several ecosystems so there is a good variety of birds there.. Our time was limited to a few hours so we couldn't do the entire birdwalk but saw several birds. There were good birders there as well as employees (?volunteers) who were very helpful. By the time we left around 10 am the parking lot was getting crowded so coming early seemed to be the way to spend time there.

We definitely will return and spend more time there our on our next trip to Marco Island.

We came here because my son’s classmate’s family was visiting their family. It has beautiful scenery and we loved it here. We took a tour at 10:30 am with Brenda (a volunteer) and she was very informative and educational. We saw three alligators, an anhinga drying itself and lots of other wildlife. We think others should come too!

Great way to see the different views of the swamp. Walking boardwalk that is handicapped accessible. Tickets are required so it is best to do it ahead of time online. Tickets are for a specific time entry but stay as long as you want. Just stroll around and see the many different views of a swamp.

We had four adults for our trip and spent a leisurely 2.5 hrs meandering the path and enjoying the scenery. We enjoyed seeing many birds from several types of hawks, buntings, herons etc. we enjoyed seeing 3 small alligators enjoying the sun as wel. All in all we all thought it was an enjoyable venue for a day trip.

Nice stroll on raised walkway thru the swamps. Very few bugs. They have a 1 mile loop and a 2 mile loop. Saw no gators (didn't expect to) and only a few birds, White Ibis, Grey Catbird, (they do sound like a cat) Red Shouldered Hawk,Eastern Phoebe, Pileated Woodpecker but none closer than 150 feet. Oh and one Racoon.

A self guided, educational 2 mile boardwalk over swamps and wetlands with plenty of places to stop, watch and listen. We walked around in 75 minutes but it was really quiet, I can imagine it gets busy.
We saw herons, gator, raccoon, turtles, and lizards galore. Anyone with a serious camera would be in their element here and would probably take longer than we did.

There’s a cafe on site, it looked fairly basic so we didn’t stay. The shop has some lovely books and gifts.

A very enjoyable 3 hour slow hike on a board walk through Florida's authentic swamp wilderness. We saw many bird species, plants and 2 alligators. Well maintained board walks with maps.

We spent a few hours in the parc on a cloudy morning. We saw tons of animals - alligators, snakes, raccoons, lots of birds. Very helpful and informative volunteers

A 2.5 mile boardwalk and an 18 inch elevation decent through three distinct types of if habitat. Long leaf pine forest to wet prairie, to ancient cypress swamp. The largest remaining undeveloped track of ancient cypress trees in the world.

They also have special activities such as treks for small groups off the boardwalk and through the swamp with a guide. Both beginner and advanced. Prepare to get wet and dirty! These aren’t regularly scheduled, though. Check the website for special events.

Price of admission gets you two days access. For an additional fee we also did the small-group night walk, with a guide, after close when everybody else had left the preserve and our group was the only people on the boardwalk.

While It was interesting to go out in the swamp at night, with no artificial light allowe, it was so dark that you really couldn’t see anything. The guides had red flashlights, but it would have been better if each person in the tour were given their own light to look around, as other night tours we’ve done have provided them. We wanted to look for Cottonmouth snakes and other nocturnal reptile swamp life, but couldn’t see what was three feet below us.

Overall, for nature lovers it was a worthwhile way to kill a couple hours and see natural Florida. Guides weren’t very knowledgeable about Florida snakes, though when u asked a question. Also, When somebody spotted a harmless rat snake on the boardwalk, the Audubon guide couldn’t even identify it, or even be able to quickly determine it was non-venomous. I had to tell them, and they still were hesitant to take my word that it wasn’t a Pygmy Rattlesnake!

This is an amazing wildlife and nature experience The boardwalk is 2+ miles long but don't let that deter you. It's full of scenic views, flora and fauna and some special treats. There is a shorter walk if you are so inclined also. The entire walk is flat but slightly raised off the ground. You'll pass through woods, marsh, grassland, a small marsh lake and some streams. Lots of greenery and a wonderful selection of birds. You'll also undoubtedly see a few gators on your walk too. Very nice way to spend a few hours.

great way to relax and spend an afternoon. lots of wildlife to see - even a gator! easy walk not too long to do the entire loop.

This place is very special & offers an opportunity to see wildlife up close in their natural habitat. You can walk the entire boardwalk or take short cuts to make it shorter if you wish. Nice facilities with a gift/souvenir shop. I visited at the end of the dry season and still saw Great Egrets, Little Blue Herons, a Barred Owl, Alligators, and other interesting birds & animals. A great way to spend a half day of your vacation.

This is a rain water-filled swamp. So, what you see depends on if you visit during the wet or dry season. We are at the height of the dry season, so we saw rivers of grass, lots of ground plants, 'gators, but not many birds as the marshland is dry or just muddy. Bugs were limited except near the water.
Nice walk with plenty of signage and rest areas. Masks were worn when near people. The boardwalk is not too narrow. It is proper to blend into the environment and not dominate. made from Brazilian hardwood so it will last for ages and not rot, thus creating a safe walk with not weak spots like a pine boardwalk.
Pick up the field guide for $3. It will help identify the plants and some of the birds.
This is the last place to see any remaining 500-year-old bald cypress trees. Each of the Giants is named and noted for what makes it unique.

A great place to see lots of birds and other wildlife! The boardwalk makes it easy to traverse the swamp. I’d plan at least two hours for the entire walk, however we spent more than three hours there because we saw so many neat things, including an American Bittern, painted buntings, a Florida banded water snake and a young gator. There are volunteer guides along the boardwalk to answer questions and help identify the things you are seeing. A do not miss gem very close to Naples!

We got our timed reservations for the boardwalk for 2pm, and they let us start at 1.30. The staff led us back to the visitor center for 5.00 closing. It was great!
The old cypress trees - some over 500 years old - are impressive. The first 3/4 of the trail are nice but not too much wildlife. I wish we had taken the 1-mile shortcut loop right to Lettuce Lake where there are more birds & reptiles than on the first 3/4 of the big trail loop

Enjoyed the walk, the wildlife, and the quiet surroundings. Worth going during the week when its less crowded

It was a little pricey for our family of 8 but the kids enjoyed looking for wildlife. It was very hot in July but that is to be expected and there was plenty of shade. I got up close and personal with a gator by accident that was sleeping right under the boardwalk. It couldn't get to me through the boardwalk but that didn't stop me from jumping back clutching my chest and giving my family a good laugh. Please follow the rules and be very quiet while on this walk. It is important in order to see and not disturb the wildlife and let everyone have the best experience possible. There was a family there with less than half the kids we had that you could hear coming a mile away and the adults were the loudest! Don't be that guy. Also there was this very friendly bird with a long beak that has been there since it was a hatchling and if you are lucky he will come say hello. He even tried nibbling the kids shoe laces and bowed down feathers out wanting to be petted. We will never forget this trip.

This beautiful wildlife sanctuary is the complete opposite of John Milton's Paradise lost. Strolling the 2.25 mile boardwalk you encounter a world of long ago, before rampant development. A primeval swamp and bald cypress trees perhaps 500 years old. Explore different habitats such as pine flatwoods, wet prairie, bald cypress and the famous lettuce lakes, teeming with life. This is a photographer's paradise with raccoons following you for handouts on the boardwalk (strictly forbidden) to wading birds such as herons, ibis and the fascinating limpkin. There is always something fascinating to observe and photograph. When I was there with my family the water level was too high for alligators and wading birds, except for limpkins searching for apple snails. Very easy to photograph. Another highlight was the ghost orchid seen from the boardwalk. Audubon carefully manages the sanctuary so all visitors must leave by 3pm. The entrance fee for most visitors is $17 and worth every dime. Don't miss the incredible nature inspired giftshop where you should purchase the ghost orchid t-shirt. Best shirt in the store. If I lived in Florida I would go to Corkscrew every week if I could. Memberships are available and it goes to a good cause to ptotect this magical place.

Super Cool! Great walk with our kids through this preserve! We saw a few gators, and a lot of great wildlife!

We visited here approximately two years ago. This is a fabulous place. We can’t say enough about it. It is clean, well kept, and accessible. they offer ranger guided tours which are fantastic. We didn’t take one this time around. You just don’t know where to look. We were thrilled to see several painted buntings. First time for us and they were a delight. We say alligators, anahimgas, storks, hawks, i is, blue herons, etc. could spend hours here just walking the beautiful 2-1/4 mile boardwalk and taking in the nature. A must see.

This was one of the most special nature walks my family has ever done. We were all impressed with the pristine beauty. My sons enjoyed looking for anoles, frogs, & alligators.

Amazing walk through nature. Bring a camera and take your time. You will see and hear a lot of amazing animals!

We travelled here while staying in Fort Myers.This is my 3rd visit and it just gets better. We saw an alligator, racoons that crossed the boardwalk & played in the swamp, baby alligators plus various lizards & birds. It was not crowded & took us 3 1/2 hours to stroll around. Dont rush or you could miss something of interest. The wardens are helpful. The café was limited & expensive for a small muffin at $4.95. The gift shop is well stocked & the staff friendly & helpful. Facilites are clean. Plenty of parking

Spectacular nature site!! Our group was so fortunate as to come across Kari who graciously conducted us on an outstanding tour. Kari is an absolute treasure! The sanctuary is exceedingly fortunate to have someone as passionate and knowledgeable about nature as Kari in its employ.

This year was the first time that we visited. I wished that we would have discovered it sooner. It is an over 2 mile long boardwalk through the Corkscrew Swamp. The plants are beautiful and the wildlife is abundant.

Well maintained with very helpful staff. We saw baby alligators and many birds during our walk. Most visitors were respectful by keeping their voices low and enjoying the sights.

Be prepared to spend some time with nature. Walk the boardwalk through the swamp and stands of bald cypress--massive trees, some of which are 500 years old! very peaceful and quiet. Check out the birds and see if you can find a gator in the swamp. Lots of opportunities for photos.

I love going during the winter months to see those birds that have migrated south as well as those that are native. The Painted Bunting is always my favorite.
For those people that want a short walk or a long walk it is all doable and on the walkway is quite wheelchair accessible.
The swamp is also home to native Cypress Trees which are over 100 years old.
Although the swamp has seen some damage with several hurricanes in recent years, that shouldn't put anyone off to a great day in the FL woods/swamp.

A lush conservatory of foliage and habitat for a variety of local species. All accessible by decking that winds through miles of quiet nature. You don’t always see much, but you can take it as slow or fast as you want. There are some benches or special lookout points. We found it was a fun way to exercise to start our morning.

We decided to stop here on our way from Marco island to Tampa and were super glad we did. It was quite an enjoyable walk despite the heat! It was about 30c when we visited in the afternoon which isn’t the best time to see wildlife but it was still worth the experience. Unfortunately one of the paths was closed for maintenance but we were still able to do the big loop which was nice. We didn’t see much except some really huge grasshoppers and some birds but I’m sure if you went here in the mornings it would be a completely different story. The visitor centre is quite nice and has a little café with gift shop which was nice to relax in the air conditioning for a bit after our walk. There are washrooms inside the visitor centre and also outside right next to the parking lot. We didn’t encounter any stairs anywhere so the whole place seems to be quite wheelchair friendly.

Lovely and well worth the entrance fee. Great wildlife viewing. Unique experience. No bugs which was a pleasant surprise.

I love Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary to get away from the rat race and recharge my spirit every few months.

Brilliant hidden gem that takes you into the swamp on a 2-mile boardwalk. The raccoon families were a fan favorite, as were the many birds and a really large alligator

Boardwalk for 2.5 miles through old and new growth bald cypress trees. Saw painted buntings, other birds and anoles. Huge alligator with two babies. Then a nice picnic lunch.

This a nice boardwalk in a nature area with a beautiful cypress growth ,aprox 2.5 miles long.There is a cafe and store at the entry as well.The entry fee is 14 $ which i thought was bit steep compared to other similar natural area in Florida.

We toured on a Saturday and did not encounter a big crowd so it was very quiet and serene. Nature lovers like us were able to capture photos of alligator, raccoon, snakes and many birds. The markers on the historic trees were appreciated. The walkway is long with no bathrooms but there is one short cut back.

It is hard to describe the quiet peacefulness we experienced in our 2+ mile tour through the sanctuary. The further learning about the history of our area and the sight seeing of the animals, birds, and the plant life was appreciated fully. Visit if you want to fully relax and enjoy the surroundings and to learn about the history of the area in which you live or are visiting.

This is a rare opportunity to experience a the last of the cypress swamps that were once southern Florida. Don’t miss it.

This was a beautiful walk and although we didn’t manage to see as much wildlife as we had hoped, it was still very worthwhile.
Our kids got a little freaked out to big in with as they thought it was too similar to Jurassic Park!
They soon settled in to it and enjoyed hunting for birds and beasties.

Take plenty of water with you as it gets incredibly hot and muggy.

There are not enough characters allowed in this review to capture all of the adjectives and superlitives I have for this place. It is quiet, peaceful and wonderful for photography. The boardwalk through this area is well maintained. I suggest purchasing the $2 guide I didn't and ended up buying it afterwards to see what all of those neat or unusual plants were. Go with family, with friends or by yourself. If I lived in the area, I would buy a season pass. Use bug spray before you enter trail and bring water. Although the trail is not long, you will find yourself lingering to watch the wildlife. The reflections of the trees and sky in the swamp look like they are High Def. Amazing!

We've been birding in lots of different places, but this has to be one of the best experiences we've had with the exception of trips we've done with a personal birding guide. This amazing sanctuary has miles of boardwalk to preserve and protect the ecosystem, while giving you a way to see birds and alligators up close. It was not crowded because you get tickets online at a specific time, to keep it from getting too busy. We stopped at the information desk to ask about specific birds and where we'd have the best chance to locate them, which was super helpful. We ended up finding a barred owl, American bittern, limpkin, painted bunting, and many more but those were a few of the highlights.

Take a stroll through this 2.5 mile long swamp full of wildlife. There are snakes, egrets, herons, birds of all types and so much more. Didn't see any gators though. Lots of Cypress trees and many different species of plantings, grasses, and wild flowers. There is a nice gift shop as well and friendly people from the Audobon Society to help you along your journey.

Had a great time learning about the flowers and fauna in the verus regions of Florida. Tons of great walking paths on boardwalks. So much fun. Bring water as it is hot and humid. Great animal sightings.

Way off the beaten path (nice to get away from the traffic). Absolutely stunning easy to see the old growth cypress. The walk is easy and plenty to take in. We saw so many birds along with 1 good size gator.

We went there in November and saw butterflies, turtles, alligators, an alligator with babies, raccoons, ibis and herons. The volunteer rangers were friendly, knowledgeable and happy to point things out. They had a scope on the baby alligators. They have some of the only old growth cypress trees, which are quite impressive.

On the downside- bring your own lunch! We assumed that you could get a decent lunch there but the cheese steak sandwich I had was some odd thing in a plastic wrapper that was microwaved for 3 minutes. Inedible- for $7.50. They had some pre-made sandwiches.

A very cool, easy 2-mile walk. I'd recommend paying the extra couple bucks to get the field guide, it was very helpful. The day I visited most of the wildlife was clustered around the lakes, towards the 2nd half of the walk. Be aware this is on the edge of Naples; I took a ride-share car there and had a hard time getting one for the return trip. If you're using ride-sharing, consider pre-scheduling a return trip via the app.

We read the reviews, and thought of this as a must-see.
I guess if you have excellent binoculars or a really powerful camera and are willing to sit for 15-30 min to spot a bird, this will be your nirvana. My eyes, my camera, and my patience were not up to the task.
For us lesser mortals who wanted a stroll and to see some animals, this was not as impressive. We have seen more birds in any city park or even walking the shoreline.
We were very impressed by the work needed to build the boardwalk, though!

This is a really beautiful place to visit. We spent 3/4 hours there and we took the guided tour with Gary who was really knowledgeable and informative. Would really recommend!

It's quiet and peaceful. A place where you can be very mindful of your surroundings and experience the wonders of what SW Florida once looked like. We are not experienced birders, but we were able to spot a red-shouldered hawk, woodpeckers, an anhinga, ibises and others we could not name. The trees and plant life are also amazing. Social distancing was maintained. We didn't notice until we were leaving, but apparently you can borrow binoculars. We were there for about two plus morning hours. Make a reservation and go. We would return for repeat visits.

We visited the sanctuary while staying at the Seminole Casino for three days, We spend three hours here around 10 am and only went half way through the sanctuary. Cost was $14 per adult, no discounts, $3 for rental binoculars and $3 for a map. There is a 2.5 mile meandering boardwalk you must stay on. Walk at your own pace. We joined a guided group for about half of the walk -free. So many birds, turtles, racoons, snakes, alligators of all sizes, at a safe distance thanks to the elevated boardwalk. Several trees had the signs of panther scratches on the bark! Many plaques throughout the park provides a lot of information. In December, we had NO insects of any sort. There is a notice about yellow flies during many warm months. Inside the visitors center is a snack area with foods for purchase and tables, Clean restrooms and nice gift shop as well. There are a few picnic tabes in the front, so bring your own lunch.

If you have any interest in birds, everglades, swamp ecology...this place is outstanding. A little over 2 miles of boardwalk through several types of wetlands, each with their own birds and plant life. Very cool.

This is one place I send anybody spending a weeks vacation in SW FL. Quiet, cool (even in summer), and great place for photography.

The 2.25 mile boardwalk yielded various birds, spiders, racoons, river otters and a mama alligator with her babies. Although we missed the guided tours there were plenty of volunteers/guides out on the boardwalk to answer questions about plants and animals. They clearly love what they do! People were great about pointing things out a we approached areas of interest.

This was fabulous! We went at the beginning of our trip and then returned at the end and we were so glad we did! The second trip gave us the opportunity to see a Bobcat just "hanging out" in a tree, a pair of nesting Pileated Woodpeckers, Painted Buntings, and so many other beautiful birds! We will most definitely go back next year!

We really enjoy this place and would visit a lot more often if it were more reasonably priced. But, we understand that we are donating towards the maintenance of this beautiful place

Our walk started out slowly but by 1/2 way through there were many birds & waterfowl
We saw purple bunting, the golden crown herring, of course the great blue herring, ibis, and a hawk, and several Ahinga and of course the raccoon and a big alligator as well as 2 or 3 various sizes of young gators, not to mention all of the beautiful plants and flowers.
Overall a most enjoyable walk!

Beautiful, large preserve with a variety of habitats. My wife is the true birder in the family and she enjoyed it. We recommend booking the earliest reservation possible as it naturally gets more crowded as the day passes.

My husband and I really enjoyed the boardwalk; stopping to read the signs and watch the wildlife it took us about three hours. Some of it was in full sun so wear sunscreen and bring water. We did not purchase the $3 guide but with the signage and guides along the way we did fine without it. We saw raccoons, many birds , an adult alligator and several babies. The majestic trees were awe inspiring. There are good rest rooms, a cafe and a gift shop. I would definitely come back if I were back in this area. All the visitors were very quiet and respectful of this awesome area.

I came here from Seattle to take pictures of birds and boy was I not disappointed!! Egrets, Herons, Spoonbills, Cardinals, Woodpeckers, Anhingas and more. Raccoons, snakes, turtles, alligators, and so much more. The land, the boardwalk, the atmosphere.

A great outdoor experience. Fours goes by fast.

Happy I came.

This sanctuary is a bit of a drive from the central Naples area, but worth the drive. The boardwark is a wonderful way to access a 2 mile (or a shorter 1-mile) route through the sanctuary. Oodles of wildlife to check out here. There are naturalists along the route, who are available to answer questions and share information.

We spent two weeks in Florida and went to several places to see birds. This place did not disappoint. The boardwalk was very nice and you felt safe from gators! I saw a huge variety of birds; purple gallinule, painted bunting, woodpeckers, little blue heron, cattle egret and so much more. As a bonus I got a picture of a bobcat in a tree! The only gators I saw were safely hiding in the water. Beautiful grounds. A small gift shop. Worth the $$ to visit there. I can't wait to go back and spend a day.

The Sanctuary is an amazing place to see wildlife. Full boardwalk so it’s easy to enjoy. Great for families. Cafe was good.

Our family group did a "wet" swamp walk at Fakahatchee State Preserve which was a lot of fun. For more timid visitors, or in addition to The Fak, this is a beautiful experience on boardwalks. There is an abundance of birds, animals and plants.

This 2.25 mile boardwalk takes you right into the heart of the swamp. There is excitement around every corner because you never know what you are going to see. We saw 2 baby alligators, a family of raccoons, lizards, and many different species of birds. The swamp was a little flooded which is why we didnt see any large gators, but it was still an awesome experience. So peaceful and tranquil in the middle of the swamp. I highly recommend visiting the Corkscrew Sanctuary.

Lovely walk and beach was wonderful as the path wound through to the Gulf. I Loved the shell picking and enjoying the peace & quiet.

What a beautiful board walk for about 2 miles. We saw 2 alligators cool birds and amazing plants! This is definitely a place you want to go during different season! They also have a really nice gift shop and I picked up super cool jewelry for my granddaughter! Highly recommend for everybody .

This was our favorite part of our entire trip. We drove an hour to come because we remember loving its peace and beauty 25 years ago, and it was just as good if not better than we remembered. Tickets are timed so it’s not crowded and you can look at trees and plants up close for as long as you want. We also saw otters playing, turtles swimming, a bunch of gators, birds, and a water snake. Guides are on the trails with high powered binoculars to look at nests and other sights. I’m so grateful this place exists to preserve the natural beauty of the area.

Beautiful walk for nature lovers young and old or any energy level. Walk takes 2-3 hours depending on your pace. Be sure to make a **reservation ** they kindly let us in even though I didn’t make a reservation. Boardwalk is well maintained.

The swamp has a raised boardwalk on which the swamp can be viewed. Wildlife are relatively used to visitors - so compfortable having nests, etc right next to the board walk. Many nesting birds, aligators, amazing spider webs, and other creatures. Will go again

We went here twice as you pay for a two day pass. One afternoon and the other in the morning and took the tour at 10:30. we saw different birds , animals andlearned alot bout the habitat. We say many different birds - tri color Heron, Blue heron, Egret, Limpet, Ibis, anhinga, woodpecker, Pilated woodpecker, and alligators mother with her babies. You can spend several hours here and sit in different location. The guide we had saw a bob cat in an other ares.

Don’t waste your time and money. Paid $34 to see 5 birds I could spot on the side of the road while driving around Ft Myers. Maybe it’s better in spring. Worst part was there is nothing else out there, so they charge $3.50 for a bottle of water. Buggy too.

Beautiful natural preserve of Florida’s cypress swamp filled with native flora and fauna. A shutterbugs delight.

We arrived at the sanctuary nearer to closing time then we knew. The highlight of this trip was the wonderful people who work there! Volunteers have spent untold hours here over many years and our hats are off to them. We enjoyed celebrating my Mom's 87th there and yes, she DID walk very nearly the entire walk (12,439 steps for that day), however we saw only wildlife we can see in our backyard at home. The greatest part of that day was the amazing cyprus trees!! couldn't get enough of them.
Husband and I returned the next AM for another great walk and some more wildlife sightings. We spent quite a bit of time in gift shop and came away with great, reasonably priced items for the grandchild and hostess we were staying with!

Weather was perfect. We saw alligators and lots of birds. The docents were very knowledgeable and pointed out lots of interesting things.

The 2.5 mile-long boardwalk was great on the feet. Lots of shade, and the staff told us to watch out for vultures feeding on an alligator corpse. There were more than ten vultures in the trees near the corpse. The only live alligator we saw was a teeny one. The hike took us 2 hours. Good restrooms.

Loved this walk through what is a piece of Florida’s prehistory, before the draining, flattening, over-developing and building of endless “exclusive “ 55+ neighborhoods and shopping malls on what once was vital forest and wetlands. It is not a zoo, so don’t come expecting to be entertained. It takes patience and a keen eye to spot these inhabitants. Peaceful and well worth the minimal entrance fee to keep this important place thriving.

Interesting although we went mid afternoon and the wildlife were pretty sedentary, likely from the heat, so I’d suggest getting an early start. The most interesting part was near the wetlands. Saw alligators although not moving much. However the birds were active. Even got a close-up of a barred owl and a hawk. The volunteers tell us that later in April before rainy season the birding picks up because the water levels decrease and feeding becomes easier. Worth the trip.

It takes quite a while to traverse the whole boardwalk, especially if you head into all the side paths. I didn’t get to see any alligators, but saw birds and some small lizards, and it was a beautiful, sunny, not-too-hot day for a walk through this edge of the Everglades. Reserve in advance- it sells out!

Even with the restricted hours and one way path this place is still amazing. We’ve never been during “wet” season so it was wild to be over water 99% of the time where all of our previous visits it was dry land! Saw many animals and had a nice time. The earlier in the day the better.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Nice way to spend an afternoon when it’s hot out. Great shade. We’ll marked and good info along the path.

Nice walk. Did not see alligators. We spotted several birds, like an owl. Also large crickets. Beautiful vegitation and nice to wander about. Admission was $14 for adults and $4 for <18yrs.

Looking for things to do in Naples and decided to stop off here. I know there’s been some complaints about price, $14 is a lot especially if you’re in a group. I thought it was well worth it. Parking is free, you walk into the center and pay at the store. They do take credit cards. There’s two loops. Contrary to another review, the short cut loop is actually a mile long, not a half mile. There’s benches through the path and the breeze was quite nice.

Walking on board walk above cypress swam we saw many wonderful sites. Painted bunting pairs. Little blue heron walking on water plants to find dinner. And look closely in the oval picture and you’ll see a clutch of baby alligators. Friendly staff wonderfully quiet surroundings and informative signage. Would do it again and again.

Fabulous boardwalk (truly wheelchair accessible - all 2 1/4 miles) and great opportunity to see wildlife in natural habitat as well as trees and foliage.

As swamps go, this was great. A wonderful diversity of plants, trees and crocodiles. Beautiful setting and thanks to the Audubon Society for preserving this ecosystem. Best of all, we lucked out having a knowledgeable, friendly, energetic guide, Kari, point out things we would never have seen on our own as well as answering our barrage of questions. If you’re anywhere near Naples, check it out.

Worth the visit!! Unusual access to swamp flora and fauna!! Best for wildlife early in the day or late, but walk well worth it nonetheless.

This site was rescued from clear cutting loggers in the early 1950s and it contains some of the few remaining ancient cypress trees in Florida. In addition, the entire property is on various birds' migratory flyways as well as being the home to an astounding number of local birds. I'm not a bird watcher, but I am quite proud of having seen my first ever painted bunting and indigo bunting eating at the same feeder, up close and personal. The very best feature of this site for me was a very well maintained 2.25 mile Boardwalk that loops thru the site and provides wildly different views of swamps, grasslands, ponds and "jungle" at every turn. We saw a huge female alligator with seven young ones sunning nearby the boardwalk and more birds than I could count every few feet. Because this site is located 40 minutes east of US 41 on Immokolee Road, it probably is a hidden gem. That's good, because it would be a shame to spoil the true wilderness of this location with too many unappreciative tourists. Noisy and uncontrollable children are definitely not encouraged to visit, so as not to spoil the wilderness experience for others.

We walked the whole path, maybe 2mls, spotted a lot of wildlife, and my cranky 3yo managed to walk most of it and skip his nap. Cause it was Entertaining! Something great I only noticed at the end: I could have borrowed an umbrella or a stroller! They sell bug repellant.

This is the perfect place to escape the sprawling, seemingly out-of-control SW Florida urban development. Online reservations required, although we were never checked for this at the property and could have simply walked in without making a reservation. (The money goes to a worthy cause, however.) The boardwalks meander mostly through cypress swamps, but also through some open, wet fields and pine flats. Many birds and butterflies spotted including anhinga - the "snake bird". We saw one alligator basking near the boardwalk, and a Florida Racer snake. Easy to spend several hours here. Total immersion into natural Florida. Lots of informative signs along the boardwalk. I'd definitely return here on my next SW Florida visit. Sadly, we didn't hire a guide. I will make sure to do this on my next visit.

This is a very nice place for a walk. We saw some delightful raccoons, a snake, several birds. I believe we may have been able to see more wildlife except for the very noisy patrons all over. It seems a few more ‘Please be quiet signs’ would be welcome. Just so many noisy adults and children. It was also quite crowded, which was surprising since reservations are needed.

We have been to many other nature areas and none were as noisy as this one. Perhaps an off day, but visitors here certainly don’t take the nature viewing too seriously.

Beautiful everglades sanctuary with raised walkways through the many different ecosystems of a Florida swamp - ferns, cypress, birds, lizards and gators.

I’m a photographer and have made the trek to Corkscrew yearly over the last 8 years. I usually try to visit during the week as it can get busy on the weekends. This year I popped in on a Saturday. I have no issues with visitors as that is what the place was built for. What can be a problem is some people who apparently think they are now bird watchers but are not aware of their surroundings. When I hear someone yell (yes yell) “ LOOK HONEY, A YELLOW BELLIED SAPSUCKER”, and I’m 100 yards away, that’s an issue for me. I also ran into a group of retirees that were almost as loud, talking about their dinner the night before. Enjoy this place but, please, be respectful and keep the noise down.
It’s still a great place, but it’s much quieter during the week.

Looking for things to occupy us for a few ours while visiting Grandma in Fort Myers during Easter break, I found this place online. When I told my 13 and 11 year olds we were going to visit a boardwalk for the day’s adventure, the Northeastern-raised middle schoolers were excited for rides and games like they experience in the summer at the Jersey Shore boardwalks. They were initially disappointed that this was just a nearly 3-mile nature walk through a swamp in Florida. However, once we began the adventure at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary their attitudes quickly changed and both enjoyed the adventure.

We were there at the end of March (dry season) on a very warm day (about 92F), so I’m sure that impacted what we saw. The Super Ghost Orchid that the location is famous for was not in bloom, but I’m not sure I’d want to trade the crowds it likely draws for a sight - you can easily find the large Cypress tree it grows in and spot the non-blooming plant. The crowds were moderate and we never felt overwhelmed. Timed tickets helped.

The boardwalk was well-maintained and wandered through diverse landscape. It was mainly shady which was a nice reprieve from the heat. We walked the entire 2.8 mile loop, but there is a short-cut for those that only want to do a portion (and get to the lake where the alligators are - always a highlight of a Florida visit).

We saw snakes, an otter, a turtle, a number of water birds, and alligators.

NOTE: COVID restrictions require prepaid tickets. No walk-ins allowed. You must buy timed tickets at least one day before you visit. Also, face masks are required. You can remove out on the boardwalk when you’re not near other people, but must wear around others.

We went to see the old stand of bald and pond cypress, but came away amazed at how much more we saw. We saw endangered orchids, baby gators, turtles, snakes, an owl, lizards, fish, frogs, a giant grasshopper, and dung beetles (we think). Plus the majestic trees. If we lived down there we would get a annual pass.

Walk amongst the trees, plants, and over the water in this swamp sanctuary. Saw many amazing species of birds and reptiles while on the walk through the sanctuary.

My wife and I were so looking forward to visiting the sanctuary especially because it is run by the Audubon Society but were disappointed with our visit. The boardwalk was in, at best, fair condition. There were several areas of the sanctuary that were intentionally burned for what I assume was done to keep the fire risk down. We did see a few birds, 2 adult alligators and a baby, as well as a raccoon and 2 small snakes. When we walked out to a viewing stand, we saw nothing but overgrown vegetation. We paid a $34 entry fee for two of us plus an $4 for a map of the trail.

As an alternative I would suggest visiting the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers. The boardwalk and facilities are in excellent condition and the volunteers are terrific. The boardwalk is a little over a mile long. We saw otters, raccoons, and all kinds of birds including Anhingas, Great Egrets, a Great Blue Heron and an Osprey. Best of all, its free to enter.

Great location, good services, great trail guides, OK food, good gift shop. Plan to arrive early enough to take the 10:30 AM guided tour. We returned the next day with free admission. Bring binoculars and a sun hat. We were not bothered by bugs.

We took the casual walk in the Corkscrew Sanctuary on our last few days in Naples recently. I went with my wife to see the pristine area and the wildlife that exist there. We were able to finally see some residents after walking quietly along the meandering boardwalk about a mile or so. Many egrets an occasional unidentifiable bird flying overhead then we had a big treat seeing a very large alligator patrolling the area daring any others to trek in the waters. I was very impressed with cypress trees. So large up close wish we were able to see them farther back to realize how big they actually are. Some are over 500 years old wow! Only downer were a few people talking way too loudly that disturbs the wildlife. Anyways it was fun.

Thank goodness there are still a few birds in Corkscrew! Dense forest but our Merlin app identified 26 different species in late February; several birds came close enough for photos, including the painted bunting (female & male). Excellent staff knowledge, adequate signage.

In years past, we have always been year round members/ supporters of Corkscrew Swamp. This past year, understandably we were unable to visit due to the pandemic as they were closed.

Prior to the pandemic, my son received guest passes after a field trip. They expired in October; however, as we all know many places were shut down for the majority of 2020 understandably, so of course we were unable to use them. Fast forward to current day, many facilities (for example state parks) honor passes for the extra number of months they were closed beyond a passes expiration date.

Prior to making a reservation, I called today to confirm this was the case, because we were looking forward to using our free passes and renewing our membership as well. I was put on hold because the lady answering the phone did not have an answer (sounds like this would be a common question) - surprisingly another lady picked up and said that they were NOT only not going to honor expired guest passes even though they couldn't have been used when they were active AND they are not taking ANY guest passes what so ever.

That is very poor public relations and customer service. We look forward to spending our money on a membership at the Botanical Gardens this year instead.

We visited during the dry season and late morning so did not see much during 3/4's of the walking tour. We did come along a wet area and saw a variety of birds, a few gators, and racoon. If had taken the short walk we would have missed the swampy area. We checked the website before driving to the sanctuary. They did not take walk-ups,

Required a mask inside the center. Lots of parking available.

Delightful, beautiful, educational. I was so impressed. I will go again and again. River otters, pilieated woodpeckers, Painted Buntings. 2 mile well maintained boardwalk.

Arrived during a tour of South Florida with puppy along. Other attractions with old growth forest walks all closed (damaged in Ian), so was hoping to actually see some habitat and not just development. Arrived to see a sign “Pets must stay on leash” so no problem, but inside I was told pet could neither be there on a leash nor stay in car even though it was morning, shady sites to park, we can open sunroof and all doors and the pup has been fine plenty in such conditions. Told they would come smash our car window if we left pet in car. Pointed out the sign about leashes and they still said no. So extremely rude. We drove hours in traffic and have seen absolutely no decent habitat or wildlife despite much looking.

This is an easy walk that feels like a hike in the swampy wild but it n comfort. The birds are the highlight.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is always worth the trip! The wonderful boardwalks make it easy to traverse the various habitats. Volunteers wander around & are helpful at answering questions & pointing out birds, alligators, flora...

We have been to Corkscrew about 10 years ago but this outing was definitely the best! Right now reservations are required. We made reservations and paid online two days before. You don't have to bring printed tickets with you because the person we checked in with just looked up our last name. The visitor's center was closed so we did not get to see any of the displays. The boardwalk trail was AMAZING! Many of the birds were really close to the boardwalk. We saw a red shouldered hawk and two barred owls up close and personal right next to the boardwalk. Our kids 12 and 14 enjoyed it. The boardwalk is somewhat narrow. Corkscrew asks that people wear masks when they pass you but only about 1/2 the people we encountered did that. We entered the sanctuary at 8 am so we did not encounter many people along the boardwalk. My suggestion is to get there early for the best birding.

The price is reasonable. The bathrooms are clean. The walkway is kept up nicely. We did not see the Ghost Orchid, but we saw many other plants. We saw and heard different animals. Go early in the mornings before it gets too hot. Apply bug spray. Wear walking shoes.

This was not our first trip to this nature preserve and we are still exploring. Each time the experience is a little different. Due to safe and easy 2.5 mile boardwalk trail it is a safe place to visit with little kids. There is fascinating plant life all around including some heirloom cypresses, alligator flags, mature pines. Parts of the preserve will remind you of a primeval forest. This time of the year elderberries were heavy with their medicinal fruits. Almost each time one can count on spotting alligators including an impressive 12 foot individual in one section, apparently his territory. The variety of birds makes this place perfect for birdwatchers, especially woodpeckers lovers . This time there were especially many raccoons. You get to walk through a few distinct habitats observing seasonal changes .
The visitors center is very friendly and completes the educational experience.
We ended up getting family membership hoping to visit this beautiful nature sanctuary many , many more times.

A superb walk where you discover a rich and wild flora, the fauna is also well present, but you must be observant, patient and have a little luck. The route is easy, within reach of all.

So 5 out of 5 for a warm, 2-mile hike through the Everglades? Well you may get to see many floral species, bird species, turtles, gators, gator babies, snakes, poisonous caterpillars and other varmints that hang out in swamp. You will definitely get a great history/geology/hydrology lesson from one of the knowledgable Audubon guides. And don't forget the exercise factor!

Our first time here and it did not disappoint! Recommend walking slowly to look for wildlife. Bring a long sleeve shirt as some areas in the sun are very hot and then chilly in the shade. Certain times of the year you can see more animals so do your research. We saw many birds, anole lizard, and a raccoon. Really enjoyed ourselves!

We go to Corkscrew at least once a year. Although the water was lower than we'd ever seen it this time, the alligators put on a good fishing show for us, complete with lurching forward and doing the death roll! There is always a surprise that makes the visit so worthwhile!

This was a real treat for my wife and me. The path is a boardwalk all the way through the swamp. We were surprised how busy the place was during a week day but that did not take away from our experience.

Have traveled extensively in Fl and other areas with similar settings and unfortunately we were disappointed. There is a raised boardwalk through swampland and some open field areas. Saw a few wading birds and baby alligators at the end of a 2 mile+ trek. Otherwise, the ecology was similar to what can be seen in many areas at minimal to no cost. The $14. Admission fee is obviously to fund the Audubon Society and is the highest we have come across. A map with descriptions of the terrain can be bought for additional $3.00. Bring water and bug spray as it gets very humid. There are a few benches along the way. Winter is their dry time so even the swamps were fairly dry. Maybe it is the time of year but we have been to so many areas during this time frame with a much larger volume and diversity of wildlife. Would not return.

This is a long boardwalk (over 2 miles) through a swamp. Many types of trees, grass, birds, and animals can be seen. There are many educational signs along the way, making it very interesting and informative.

This was a nice, relaxing 2.2 mile walk on an elevated boardwalk. There is a visitor center and a nice gift shop as well (masks are required inside but not on the boardwalk). We were there 10am -12pm and saw baby raccoons, 2 gators (pointed out by the staff as I would totally miss them) and some birds. The plants were really interesting. There are good signs everywhere with lots of explanations.

This is a nice break from the beach and shopping. Wooden walkway through the park, lots of alligators and birds to see. Only takes 1-2 hours to complete depending on how fast or slow you go.

If you are looking for a self guided nature experience you can't beat this. 2.5 mile board walk in open and wooded environments.

This preserve is owned by the National Audubon Society. Very nice 2.5 mile walk through a southern Florida swamp. Beautiful cypress trees. We saw an alleigator!

If you enjoy nature, the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a must. We saw insects, lizards, various birds, frogs, an alligator, and a variety of plants. Initially, we thought it would only take about one hour, but we ended up spending several hours enjoying the various ecologies of swamp and animals.

A range of habitats beautifully laid out from swamp, to dry prairie to forest. Lots of different potential animal sightings, reptiles and birds and great natural fauna too. A great way to get close to the local habitat via a boardwalk. Nice shop and cafe also.

Always an enjoyable place to go for a walk. WE didn't see much in the way of animals this time ... just a few woodpeckers, and raccoons. But the peace and quiet and well maintained boardwalk is always worth the visit.

Reasonable price for a great walk through the swamp area. Could be the time of the year but didn't encounter a whole lot of wild life. We did get to see some 'gators, several babies and one fairly large one too!!
Overall, a nice afternoon walk through some typical Everglades type environment!! Well worth hte price.

Hard to believe it took nearly two decades of traveling to SW Florida to finally discover this gem. Be prepared for a lot of walking and make sure to load up on bug spray, but also be prepared for an amazing walk through a stunning environment with towering cypresses and an abundance of wildlife.

Note: Pandemic-based restrictions mean tickets are extremely limited (I was told about 80 people per day) so it pays to reserve far ahead of time.

Absolute gem! Nice long boardwalk with many different views. Lots of different birds. Volunteers along the boardwalk for questions.

I had a fantastic day hiking/walking along the boardwalk today (it is all boardwalk). Took me about an hour to get around once.

The first quarter-mile or so goes through grasslands, so no shade, but the rest of it, except for the very end where it goes through grasslands again, is mostly shaded by the very tall trees.

Sunday afternoon it was pretty crowded, but that was good because there were other eyes picking out the alligators, turtles, etc.

Don't forget to look up, so you can find the owls and other birds, flowers, lichen, raccoons, and of course, look down so you can see the alligators, lizards, turtles, etc.

Keep your ears open for the multitude of birds, which I could never actually find because my eyes are not trained for that, and for the various bullfrogs, who were quite vocal today.

Nice visitor center and restrooms, lots of parking. There is a $17 charge to get in, but it's really worth it - plus it's for the Audubon Society.

The loop is about 2 miles, and since I had time, I ended up walking the trail twice and saw different things each time.

Some people were commenting on not seeing wildlife, but you really need to look hard for it sometimes and don't go in there with the expectations of seeing dozens of alligators. I saw three. Four raccoons. One owl. A dozen lizards, one turtle, etc. but it was all very nice.

Enjoyed a guided night time walk on the boardwalk. Sally was our guide and she was knowledgeable and provided much information about the swamp and its habitat. As we started the walk it was still daylight and we got to see the sunset and many birds as we passed the first pond. It being the dry season, there was not an abundance of water.

As it grew darker, we utilized night vision flashlight to spot inhabitants of the swamp. We heard a few owls but did not see them. We saw many Night Herons, a plethora of alligators, a racoon, a possum, several tree frogs and a multitude of spiders and spiderwebs.

Learn about the importance of this ecosystem and the valuable information the guide has to offer and share.

It was a nice walk through a diverse area. We didn't see any alligators but saw numerous birds, snakes, anoles and a very large racoon.

Our family has been here a few times before and enjoyed it. We are glad this place exists. We have even recommended it to others.

Although the nature spectacular and the visitor center is well done, this place has issues -- and after reading some of the reviews here, I know I'm not the only one who thinks so.

Since our last visit, Corkscrew has changed the way they allow visitors. When they say the last admission is at 1 pm, what they *don't* tell you is that sometime before 1:30, someone will start walking the boardwalk and close off portions of it so you can't go that way.

We arrived at 1 and gathered our gear in the parking lot, then checked in at 1:15 after having purchased tickets online. The woman who greeted us mentioned that a man walking past would be going behind us to close the boardwalk down. We had to wait for her to retrieve a field guide that we'd purchased online with our tickets. But as we walked outside, we saw that the boardwalk route she recommended was already closed. We walked back inside to verify that's what she had said, and she told us the "closer" must have already started his rounds and that we could catch up with him at one of the sections of the boardwalk that connect one side to the other.

No such luck.

Without stopping much because we wanted to catch up to him as the visitor center woman said, we finally did encounter the closer about halfway around. He wouldn't let us go beyond that point (it was only 2:08 pm) because he has to make sure no one is left on the boardwalk. I get that this is necessary, but you can see that our family was misled from the beginning, with the woman first telling us the man would be walking behind us and then finding out he already left while we were waiting for her to give us our field guide so we could catch up to him. Like why didn't she call or radio him to tell him we were on our way? Why didn't she tell us it was too late and give us a refund? Because after we found the closer at 2:08, we just turned around and went back the way we came, not stopping. What a waste.

AND we drove a couple hours to get there, AND we were marking our son's birthday. Finding out later that the ghost orchid was blooming at the time was just a bonus, but we didn't even get to see that because the closer wouldn't let us.

When they say 1 pm, they mean you really need to have your feet on that boardwalk at 1 pm! Don't wait for a field guide! Don't stop to use the restroom or get water or fiddle with your optics!

They are very unforgiving, and they don't care.

Nothing on the site, nor the email confirmation when you purchase tickets, tells you that you will be "swept" by the closer before 1:30, so when you read that they close at 3 pm, it's misleading.

I used to like the Audubon Society, but I'm unsubscribing from everything after our treatment there.

Saw lots of birds, lizards and even two gators fighting. Started the walk at 10am. I wish we had come a bit earlier because I expect that the number of animals is higher earlier in the morning. That said, it was a fun experience.

Friendly travelers and bird watchers walking along a board walk through the sanctuary. Individuals pointed out their sightings, allowed you to look through their binoculars and encourage discussion. Very positive and upbeat. Many birds, a river beaver, raccoon and crocodile were among our finds! Have fun!

They charge $17 and then ask you to pay 4 for a booklet. We have been to many other places where you see similar surroundings with much more wildlife with minimal fees. They should have a winter rate at much less the cost. The boardwalk is over 2 miles and is very well maintained. They gave a free guided tour.

This is a roughly 2 1/2 mile boardwalk walking tour of a swamp. It is really interesting to see the large, ancient trees along with the marsh grass areas. We were there on a beautiful day and expected to see lots of wildlife. Unfortunately, either we were too inexperienced to spot much of it or it was off it other parts of the nature area. It was really helpful when a volunteer was standing by something that they had spotted as they could point things out to us. (We would never have spotted the alligator or her young without the volunteer telling us where to look.) The volunteers explain about the animal or bird, its natural habitat, any eating habits, etc. Unfortunately, there were not that many volunteers out. I would definitely have given this attraction a higher rating if there had been more volunteers out stationed by things they had seen to help point them out to us. It was a little pricey but would have been a great value if we could have had a little more guidance. At least the money all goes to the Audobon Society.
Another really nice feature was that they provide wheelchairs and strollers free of charge while you are in the sanctuary.

Approximately 2.5 mile easy nature walk on an elevated platform allows you to experience Florida’s natural ecosystem from many years ago. Toss in a variety of interesting wildlife including birds, snakes and alligators and you have the perfect activity for the family.

So we spent several weeks on Marco Island and choose a lot of different activities from Airboats to driving to Key West. Our visit to Corkscrew was the best of all we did. It took us about 2.5 hours to complete the walk but we took a lot of time to take in all that there was too see. Seen a lot of birds and a Raccoon climb onto board walk in front of us for a stare down. Would highly recommend this activity.

Dale and Naomi

Our interest was mostly bird photography so we went with very high expectations. The boardwalk is nice, and there are plenty of small birds around. Bigger birds were difficult to find at the time we went. We took our time to walk and it got over 3 hours.

At the end of the 1800's plume hunters had almost wiped out the wild wading bird population in the Everglades in Florida. Birds were killed so their feathers could adorn women's hats. Hunters would kill and skin the birds leaving the hatchlings to die in the nest. An entire rookery of several hundred birds could be wiped out in two to three days. More than 5 million birds were killed every year leading up to the 1900's. That is the reason why you can no longer see flamingos wild in Florida anymore, they were hunted out of existence. In 1896 a Boston society matron named Harriet Hemenway and her cousin Minna Hall took up the plight of the birds. The women started a campaign to boycott the hats and pass legislation to protect the birds. The fledgling Audubon Society partnered with the women in order to pass laws that saved the birds from extinction. This action spawned efforts that led to the protection of the land making up the Corkscrew Swamp. Birds were protected here starting in 1905.

In 1954 the Corkscrew Cypress Rookery Association formed to protect the last largest remaining strands of Bald Cypress Trees. The trees were being decimated due to excessive logging in the area in the 1940's and 50's. 17 miles of land was donated or purchased mainly from Lee Tidewater Cypress Center and Collier Enterprises. The National Audubon Society took over management of the land and built the first boardwalks in 1955. Today when you walk along the boardwalk you can see a number of trees that they list as landmarks that would have otherwise been lost to logging.

When you visit this sanctuary you can see the wading birds so many people fought so hard to protect. Admission to Corkscrew is $14. The entry price is higher than other parks and natural areas I have visited. It's on par with going to a National Park but after visiting Corkscrew I think it is worth it to maintain the boardwalks and protect the wildlife. The entry price gains you access to the visitors center which shows a movie and has tanks containing baby alligators, art, a small cafe, and a gift shop. In the visitors center you can purchase a $3 guide book and see the different times when naturalists lead walks. I would have loved to sign up for one of those guided walks since they know where to find the wildlife but I was on a tight time schedule. If you can I recommend coming early and taking advantage of the ability to tour with a guide.

Behind the visitors center is a 2 mile long boardwalk that takes you through pine flat woods, wet prairie, pond and bald cypress trees, and marsh ecosystems. Some portions of the boardwalk were damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and parts of it remain closed.

The sanctuary is part of the Great American Birding Trail. It serves as a breeding area for the endangered Woodstock and other Florida wetland birds. Wading bird species that can be found here include tricolor herons, great and snowy egrets, and Great Blue Herons. Other birds found here include limpkins, barred owls, and swallow tailed kites. A highlight of my visit was when a Red Shoulder Hawk landed close to me on the boardwalk. Alligators and cottonmouth snakes are also found here.

I loved my visit here. My only wish was that I had more time. It's a bit of a drive to get here but I love the feeling of being in the real Florida. It is well worth making the trip to this historic sanctuary where the wildlife know they are safe and protected and can live freely the way they were meant to.

Anyone visiting South West Florida should visit the real natural Florida....to see and understand the land. Parks have educational tours and I would highly recommend the one at Corkscrew Audubon Park. The boardwalk is beautiful, but see life below and above it is even more amazing. Go early in the morning. Tours are at 10 am. Enjoy!

Love the boardwalk and was lucky to see alligators, raccoons, snakes, various birds (egrets, herons, anhingas, roseate spoonbills, a red shouldered hawk, warblers etc.), butterflies, and even a tiny green leaf frog. Enjoyed the experience which I would recommend 2 hours in order to enjoy.

This is a great place to learn bout the natural habitat of the planters and animals thats inhabit the Everglades. We saw several alligators and many species of birds. Other visitors had observed other wildlife.There is en explanatory museum that is not to be missed ads well as the requisite cafe and gift shop. Since the Sanctify is a non-profit, contributions are welcome as are volunteers. Plenty of free parking. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes to walk the 2 mile boardwalk and carry a water bottle. Bug spray is also a help during certain seasons. A hat is also recommended. The is definitely a place for children and is an excellent learning experience. Check the website to learn of special programs and docent led tours.

We spent hours here, walking along the boardwalk, viewing alligators, turtles, birds, orchids, and many other native Florida plants and animals. There were friendly, well-informed volunteers all along the way. The information they provided greatly enriched our visit. I would recommend this sanctuary to anyone.

At first I was put off by the $14.00 per person entry fee, but then became pleasantly surprised by how nice this place was. The boardwalk meanders through forest and swamp, with plenty of benches to sit on and watch the wildlife. And there was a lot of wildlife to watch: Baby alligators, adult alligators, a variety of birds and fish. It was great. We spent the better part of a day here. I never thought I would say this, but it was worth the $14.00 per person entry fee.

An excellent 4 or 5 km walk through a well preserved part of old Florida. This is not palms and beach, this is birds, other animals, and a beautiful swamp. Of course, one is always on a dry boardwalk, but you get to see real Florida and a surprising array of native plants and trees. If you are in Southwest Florida, this is definitely a good family event.

Beautiful nature preserve which is easy to visit. The swamp and wet prerie habitat is easily accessible to exploration due to over two mile long boardwalk. Very interesting and lush nature.
Run by the Audubon Society this preserve requires an entrance fee. Interesting to persons of all ages.

Great place to go for a walk, best time to go is early in the morning when all the animals are out and ready to eat. Lots of activity.

An unspoiled cypress swamp, I love the scenery, the vegetation; the birders love the many birds and the varity. The Sanctury has a remarkable 2.25 mile boardwalk.

Gotta ❤️ nature. Member of an arboretum at home so wanted to check this out. Glad I did. First thing in the morning it was quiet, but for the wildlife. People were around but almost silent in their quest to find ‘nature’ 🪶. It was nice.

I have visited Corkscrew Swamp now dozens of times. I am now a member and love to bring my friends and family to experience Florida’s amazing ecosystems and wildlife. We’ve heard bobcats snarl and pounce into the water to catch prey, alligators grunt, and so, so many songbirds. It’s part of the Florida bird trail and it does not disappoint during the dry season. Wood storks, roseate spoonbills, herons, cranes, and hummingbirds all gather at the swamp for respite and to feed. I never thought myself a bird nerd until coming here a few times and spending almost an hour at one point with so many other bird enthusiasts watching these beautiful creatures search for food and strut around. Of course, there are alligators and during mating season they come out in full force to be seen. You can spot them year round as well!! If you come in August you get the real treat of seeing the ghost orchid bloom! A rare, endangered flower that’s a showstopper through a scope the volunteer guides set up so you can see it clearly. The volunteer guides are amazing. They talk to you on your walk, answer questions, take you to see interesting things they’ve seen on their walks that day, and they keep a list of what they’ve spotted and it’s cool to play the game of who’s seen the coolest thing today!! Please come visit! They need the funds to rebuild the part of the walkway they used to fix the main boardwalk after Irma. There’s a half mile to a mile of nature we can’t see because the boardwalk needs to be fixed and visitors can help by coming! It’s so worth the 30-40 minute drive into Florida wildlife to visit and see what beauty lies beyond our beaches.

An enjoyable and scenic walk to experience especially during the winter months. I added over 10 new birds to my life list and also saw an alligator up close. It was 2 1/2 hours well spent.

Great place for nature park fans. Saw many types of birds, alligators, bald cypress, and lots of unique plants on the 2.5 mile boardwalk

We are not bird watchers but this was a great way to pass a beautiful day in Naples and get in some walking excercise. The entire 2.25 mile is a boardwalk in a bird sanctuary..

My husband surprised me with a visit to this sanctuary and Audubon Center. You need to make reservations in advance as they are limiting the number of people in the sanctuary. There is an entrance fee and masks are required in the Center or if you are near others.

We had an 8 a.m. reservation (when they open) and we were there a few minutes early, so we were able to use the restrooms (none along the boardwalk) and talk to a volunteer about the sanctuary. The association to start this sanctuary began in 1954 with the formation of the Corkscrew Cypress Rookery Association. They acquired acreage from commercial interests and were able to set aside a large tract of bald cypress, with some trees estimated at 500 years old. The National Audubon Society had been protecting the birds in this area since 1912, and accepted the responsibility to manage this site. The extensive boardwalk was begun in 1955, and allows visitors to hike safely through the 6,080 acre site.

This sanctuary has birds, reptiles, mammals, and interesting plant life. Its famous Ghost Orchid was featured in National Geographic. I read that issue a few years ago but had no idea I would actually see the plant myself. Of course it wasn't blooming, it blooms in the late summer.

As far as mammals go, we only saw Gray Squirrels. But, we did get to watch a Red-Shouldered Hawk hunting from a dead Slash Pine tree. We also saw Pileated Woodpeckers flying to and from two different large nests high up in the Bald Cypress Trees. We saw Blue Jays and Gray Catbirds on the edge of the marsh area, as well as Pine Warblers and a Zebra Longwing Butterfly. We saw Swallow-tailed Kites and think we heard an American Bittern booming. We saw numerous Air Plants, Spanish Moss, pink Lichen, Strangler Figs, and blooming Swamp Lillies. Finally, we had Green Anoles zip in front of us on the boardwalk.

At the end of our boardwalk hike, we stopped in the Center and admired the Ghost Orchid photos on the walls. We also stopped at the Gift Shop and bought a field guide to the plants and birds/reptiles/mammals as well as two large and artistic photos we will frame and hang. I definitely recommend a visit early in the morning for a nice long hike.

(Sadly, many of the photos I took with my iPhone 12 Pro are of a higher resolution than what TripAdvisor's uploader will take.)

We came here after the CREW Bird Rookery Swamp. There was a $14 entry fee but it was well worth it. The entire walk was in a well maintained boardwalk. We did not arrive in time for a guided walk - I would recommend that if possible.

We spent several hours here and enjoyed spotting several different varieties of birds as well as a few gators. We enjoy learning about the environment. We did purchase a little guidebook with wildlife and plants and I would recommend that. It was very helpful for a beginner birder.

This is definitely a great place to come to view nature. Couple it with the Bird Rookery Swamp and bring your lunch to enjoy the day.

Every time we come and visit Naples, Florida, we make a point on going to the corkscrew swamp sanctuary. No visit is the same but it a must do and see.

It took 2 1/2 hours to do the 4 1/2 mile stroll. A very pleasant walk for $14. Saw some
wildlife, mostly birds. Was lucky to see an alligator plus a baby ones head and a snake. Flies not bad. Plenty of benches. Bring binoculars or rent for $3. Bring water and camera.

This sanctuary is a hidden gem that will be savored by true nature lovers.

As the website says, tickets must be purchased online in advance. Have the QR code ready on your phone when you walk in, as well as a mask. The cell reception is spotty there, which is why you should not wait to purchase when you arrive. There was plenty of parking. The cost is high, but it is worth it, and may help keep the crowds away.

The boardwalk is about 2 miles long and well maintained. Taking my time I walked the full walk with stops at all observation decks in 1:45 min. Most of it is shaded (though not all). There is a restroom before the entrance and place to refill your water (though the water tasted a little off).

For those of you who truly appreciate communing with Nature, you may want to try to get there close to opening time at 8 am. I went at 10, and while I enjoyed it, there were enough people present (and LOUD) that I knew we weren't going to see much wildlife. Seriously, I heard people talking loudly about why they couldn't find more wildlife. The place is like a church but ruined by people in strong cologne who don't understand that animals flee the instant they hear/sell us. This ruins the experience for the animals and people who came all of that way to see them.

If you have binoculars bring them and consider silence for an hour or two, so you can hear the woodpeckers pecking, herons chatting, squirrels rustling in leaves, and the wind. Due to declining numbers of Florida panthers (a ranger told me the number has gone from 120 to 101 in the last year thanks to cars hitting them), you should not expect to see one.

The last comment I'll make is that there was a disturbing number of animals killed on the roads leading up to the sanctuary, esp from the south heading north, thanks to careless drivers. I saw 2 killed river otters within a mile, and countless birds. It would be wonderful if the Sanctuary could advocate for signage that protects wildlife/discourages speeding in the area. I saw such signs for bears and panthers through the Panther NWR, so it is possible. It was sad to see so many killed in the area, including hawks and a wood stork.

Corkscrew Sanctuary has been preserved as a sanctuary since the early 1950’s for everyone to enjoy. Lots of species of migratory birds at this time of year (winter). The boardwalk (short and longer routes) are easily accessible for people in wheelchairs. Volunteers/Naturalists on the boardwalk help to identify birds, mammals, reptiles and fauna. Memberships of several levels are available.

This is a beautiful park filled with wildlife. Purchase the guide book because it gives you an idea of what to look for and what you are looking at along your walk. Walk slowly and look all around you at all times. You will be amazed. Bring water, camera and binoculars. You can rent those if you like. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We heard the best way is to go in the am and join the guided tour.

This was a beautiful walk. The 5 year old's loved seeing deer, birds, and even a raccoon. I highly recommend a visit here.

I was furious that the man at the door attempted to force a mask onto my 5 year old face. He should be ashamed of himself.

Spent a wonderful morning in the Sanctuary. A pleasant place for a leisurely stroll and meditation. We ran across a docent there and followed her around quite a bit. She was extremely informative and friendly, open to questions with thoughtful answers. I highly recommend this for folks of all ages. The children will appreciate all the Sanctuary has to offer.

My husband and I spent almost three hours touring this vital natural system of marsh, wetlands, old and new bald cypress forest! The signage explaining the habitats & plants and animals who reside there, as well as the information on humans negative impact were enlightening and also hopeful. This is a must see for anyone who is in the Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Naples area!

A wonderful place to visit. Although we didn't spot much in the way of wildlife (compared to my previous visits) - one Limpkin and two 'gators. I brought my parents along for the first time and they loved it - this place is so scenic and tranquil, they enjoyed the walk for this. As always, the rangers are super friendly and the place is immaculately maintained - even despite exceptionally heavy downpours for the preceding nights of our visit. Highly recommended and great value too.

Internationally known, this sanctuary is a true treasure, untouched by time. It is a glimpse of nature as it was hundreds of years ago. Each season offers new experiences in viewing flora & fauna unspoiled & uninhibited by human intervention.

We enjoyed the sanctuary immensely. We saw way more wildlife than anticipated and enjoyed the boardwalk. There were decent amounts of shade, a lovely gift shop, and interesting Audubon informational placards as well. Definitely get the field guide they offer. It was wonderful here and also used during our continued trip in the Big Cypress and Everglade areas. I should have brought my camera with zoom lenses because there were great wildlife sightings that a phone didn’t do complete justice. Highly recommend.

I am confused by the other reviews of this place. It is a nice enough walk but quite short, which is fortunate as it was also boring. I saw nearly one wildlife creature and it was a squirrel. Was not expecting a zoo but this was not worth the drive.

So beautiful. So peaceful. Great boardwalk. Educational signage along the way.
Arrived 10 AM. I think we were there 2 hours. We saw so many birds...highlight was barred owls. Saw alligators.
Bring binoculars. Pay attention to those ahead of you...if you see people stopping they are most likely looking at a bird and will share the sighting with you.
Audubon members get a discount so be sure to bring your card.
I would suggest going before Noon. I think that's the best chance of seeing activity.
This was our first time. We really enjoyed our experience. We would return.

The Audubon Sanctuary is a huge disappointment. Masks are not required; the boardwalk is narrow; and the director is clueless.

A wonderful place to spend a few hours! We chose an entry which was good as it wasn’t too hot.
The entrance is full of information and the price of $17 each was fine - definitely on par with similar attractions in the UK.
We ambled along the boardwalk- it’s never a guarantee that you will see anything but we did see lots!
The red shouldered Hawk was first - it was feeding on crayfish and perched on the boardwalk whilst enjoying the food!
We saw a young southeastern lubber grasshopper and a green anole all within a few feet.
The swallow - tailed kite was enjoying the thermals.
But to see the Alligator slowly making its was through the water was magnificent.
We saw lots of Ibis , Heron , cardinals and woodpeckers as well.
But even if you don’t see or hear any of the wildlife take time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The sanctuary is fabulous and we all need to ensure areas like this remain in place for a long long time and we have to support this or it will be gone before we know it.
We loved it and would have no matter what we saw.

A place to experience the real Florida. A 2.5 mile nature boardwalk loop trail through different Florida habitats also part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. There is a shorter loop trail, although the lookout tower is only accessible via the long loop.

You never know what wildlife will appear on your walk: alligators, anhingas, barred owls, red-shouldered hawks, egrets, herons, spoonbills, limpkins, raccoons, bobcats, turtles, anoles, otters, painted buntings, Carolina wren, warblers and more. The highly endangered Florida Panther has been seen by a few very lucky people. During the second half of summer and fall, the water levels in the swamp are high, thus wildlife is able to spread out over miles across the backcountry, thus wildlife near the boardwalk may be scarce. Winter months are a good time to visit, however, the best time to visit is during April and May, when wildlife amass at Lettuce Lake due to “the great dry out”. Yes, Florida had a dry season.

While mosquitos aren’t usually an issue in the swamp due to fish that eat their larva, yellow biting flies are an issue during April and May. Wear lightweight long sleeves shirts and long pants, because those flies are relentless.

In July or August, the rare Ghost Orchid blooms. You need strong binoculars or a super zoom telephoto lens to get a good look at the orchid because it grows high up a tree. The area were the orchid blooms is marked.

Currently, the sanctuary requires reservations be made via their website. Reservation times are every quarter hour from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Admission: $17 for adults. $6 for kids ages 6-14. 5 and under are free. I believe there are college and military discounts available. Wheelchairs and strollers are allowed on the boardwalk.

Guided educational small group tours are available for a higher price. I highly suggest the sunset tour or night walk tour. I have taken both. You will see birds, birds and more birds flying into the trees at lettuce lake to roost. Watch sunset from the tower. Look for alligators and frogs in the dark with a red flashlight.

Also, once you get onto sanctuary road, be on the look out for Wild Turkeys, Sandhill Cranes, and White-tailed Deer after passing the farm.

Forget the negative reviews. This wonder of nature is fabulous. Those expecting to see a myriad of animals should go to the zoo, as that is not the point here. The 2.5 mile walk is relaxing and fascinating and should be approached as such.
Suggestions are to try and go on a weekday if possible and bring binoculars ( or rent them there for $3).

Nice raised boardwalk thru many different types of swamp. Not a short walk. Couple miles long. Nice up close up look at wetlands. Many different birds to see and you might see snakes and alligators too. Been there severall times now. Still like it.

What an amazing place to visit. The stroll around the boardwalk is so peaceful and beautiful. Make sure to use the restroom before your walk as there are no restrooms along the way. Welcome center and gift shop are very nice. Ample parking around facilities. Definitely a must visit!

A wonderful nature walk of about 2 1/2 miles on a boardwalk trail. Well worth the visit to see various flora and fauna of a swamp. Many places along the trail to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the swamp.

It is an amazing place. The board walk meanders through different terrains full of variety of plants, trees and teeming with bird life...and of course the alligators!

Although this is a drive out of Naples or Bonita Beach, it is well worth the effort. It's a little pricey, since there is no senior's rate.

The only bathrooms are at the front. The entire walk is on a raised boardwalk which winds thru the swamp giving close up views of many different trees, air plants, birds, turtles, alligators - we even saw an owl.

If you are interested in birds this could be the highlight of your trip.

This is a wonderful place. We saw alligators, raccoons, blue heron, snow egrets and lots of woodpeckers. We took about 2 hours to gently walk around it. Entrance fee is $14 per person which is excellent value, and free parking. Staff and volunteers all clearly care about this sanctuary. Loved it.

This was a great experience, although we missed the larger alligators, we did see babies in the water. Watched a bird eat a fish. It was a bit hot and muggy but it was worth it.

Very nice boardwalk with ability to observe many different bird species and animals. The Cypress forest was awesome.
My only disappointment which has nothing to do with the sanctuary was that some visitors were more interested in talking to each other than observing the wildlife quietly as suggested

This is a gem. If you are into birding, photography or just want to spend a few hours enjoying nature, this should be near the top of your list. Easy walking on about 2.5 miles of boardwalk, going through different types of habitats. And you will undoubtedly find people with similar taste with whom to share the walk and enjoy the magnificent birds.

Very interesting and well maintained Sanctuary. It is really important to note that you need a car to get here. We could not get any car service to pick us and return us to Naples. Thank goodness for a very kind staff member

Take the tour with a guide! We did and saw lots of cool stuff that other people without guides walked right past. There was a hawk perched 20 feet above the boardwalk and people walked under it without ever looking up. Same with an alligator sitting in the swamp just off the boardwalk. If you didn't know where to look, you would not see it. Really enjoyed the tour.

This place represents an amazing piece of protected property in south Florida and is a peaceful natural environment to see what the land used to look like before all the development here. Lots of wildlife including gators, migratory birds and owls.

Our experience was mediocre . We went at the last entrance of the day at 1 pm which I think is too late in the day to see the animals . You have to be off the boardwalk at 3pm so they will hurry you along to make sure you’re staying on time . Also we had little kids with us who were impatient and pry would have been better to take them to the zoo as we would have seen way more animals . We ended up seeing like 6 gators towards the end of the walk and some bugs . Nothing else . If you go you should pry go early and take your time , grab binoculars . If you’re debating doing this or the zoo with young kids , do the zoo .

Great day at Corkscrew Swamp! We arrived at 11:30AM and were there til about 2:15 PM. Nice boardwalk 2.25 miles long , through, marsh, swamp & woods.
We saw, 4 Pileated Woodpeckers, a Little Blue Heron, Black & White Warbler, Painted Bunting, Northern Cardinal, Red Shouldered Hawk, Anhinga, Carolina Wren, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Northern Waterthrush, White Ibis, Several shaded areas as well as sunny areas. Bring water with you! We saved $3 each tickey by showing our (Rhod Island) Audubon Membership Card. Cost $14 each after discount, well worth it! Lots of parking. Probably would've been better if we got there earlier. They open at 8AM !

What a GREAT trip!! We've lived in Southwest Florida for almost 12 years and finally got here!! We very much regret not coming sooner. The boardwalk is very nice. There are a few spots you might wish you had a hat, but most of the walk is in the shade. Please take your time and really enjoy the true Florida people don't normally see. There are no bathrooms or water on the trail, but they are available before you strike out. Plenty of parking is easily available. The website recommends purchasing your tickets online before going, but we purchased ours when we got there. When it gets a bit cooler, I can see it getting busier. A word of advice, if you're quite on the path, you might see more!

Nice moderate walk. Fee charged which was a bit steep but it is a nice walk. Staff friendly. Interesting place.

Such a lovely walk through the swamp via boardwalk. It’s not too long, but you will take much more time than you think. Great birdwatching, haters, flowers, etc. Oeaceful and tranquil. Fun to go at different times of year to see the changes in the swamp.

We were recommended the corkscrew swamp by one of the tram drivers at the Naples Grande hotel and really enjoyed our visit so much that we went back the following day (ticket price is for 2 consecutive days)

During our visits we saw 600 year old cypress trees, woodpeckers, alligators, herons, anhingas and even a snake, towards the end of our 2nd visit we had the lovely sight of 3 raccoons running along the boardwalk right in front of us. Staff are knowledgeable and very welcoming and it is a worthwhile visit if wildlife is of interest

Go here! Its calling all nature lovers. A conglomerate of the ecosystems of Southern Florida. There are a plethora of species inhabiting the sanctuary, something new along every board of the walkway. There are restrooms out front when you first arrive and some more inside. Go into the gift shop to pay and get a map. You head out either to the right or left, but its circular, so you'll see it all. I recommend comfortable walking shoes. If its summer - it will be HOT AND HUMID - anytime after mid morning there are bugs! If it is winter spring or fall, you may want a light jacket as much of the walk is under tree canopies. I would bring your cell phone or camera for pics. Remember to look all around - there are animals and plants and insects everywhere. If there are rangers out walking, be sure to stop and ask what what they've seen! If you're not the first one there, check out the chalk board for sightings! (If you see SKUNKAPE on the list, you know you're in the presence of true SW Floridians.) Take your time, I would say 2 hours minimum. Respect all other patrons, be quiet, dont run, respect those taking photos. If you're going in search of the infamous ghost orchid, let me tell you. It is about 35 feet away from the walkway where you stand to observe it. You cannot get a pic with your cell, unless you have a zoom attachment. Best seen with binocs. I thought it would be the highlight if my day, nah. I loved looking for gators in the lilipads we saw a baby gator about 15-16" sitting atop some pads. And the males were ominously roaring in the distance. The squirrels were tossing nuts at our noggins. I loved the wide array of ferns, vines and the spectacular cypress. Remember to wear sunscreen and bug spray. It is a different experience each visit depending on time of day, time of year no visit will be the same. It is quite a bit if walking, a few optional stairs, but overall an easy relatively level walk. Of course the walkway is planked, so it is mildly uneven terrain. There are handrails throughout the entire boardwalk, but small children could be in danger if not closely watched. There are no restrooms once out on the boardwalk. Enjoy this spectacular nature variety show!

So grateful I took the time to see this last preservation of ancient cypress trees within the swamp. Important to understand why protected undeveloped wet lands/dry sustain the ecological balance. Takes about 2-3 hours to walk thru on the boardwalk.

We were staying in Fort Myers Beach for several days, so we decided to drive nearly an hour to visit Corkscrew Sanctuary.

It was absolutely worth the drive. The boardwalk, which is over 2 miles long if you walk all of it, goes over a variety of landscapes: everything from scrub grass to forest to the swamp (unarguably the best part). Most of it is over swamp, so it was a real treat for us Midwesterners!

We were fortunate enough to see several alligators: a large adult and several babies. All were right by the boardwalk, and easy to spot. Of course, with it being wildlife there’s no guarantee that you will see anything. We also saw an owl, a few anhinga, white ibis, and other types of birds.

There are a few benches along the trail, and one observation tower. The boardwalk is in excellent condition. It was very peaceful and quiet while we were there. I enjoyed just listening to the sounds of nature. The boardwalk is long enough that even with lots of people there (we visited Christmas week) , you can still have times when you are the only person around, especially on the 2 mile walk.

The visitor’s center has restrooms, a small interpretive center, a gift shop, and a cafe with items like microwaveable burgers and potato chips.

Walk was nice and staff were very nice but not for me. I don’t really have much else to say other this

We went today after the heavy rains, so there was not much wildlife out-- but by the end of the day, the sun came out and numerous different birds were seen. It was a relaxing and nice walk through the sanctuary. Would recommend.

The park is gorgeous and worth the trip. Cafe horrible. Bought small bag of STALE key lime for $15. cookies. Walked 2 feet away from table told them it was stale we didnt want our money back just wanted something different. No one else in cafe and they said we need receipt but we didnt get receipt. A JOKE not even free refills for coffee. TERRIBLE! DO NOT GO IN THERE!

This is the second time my wife and I have visited the Sanctuary. Each time is a unique experience. This time we were surrounded by Woodpeckers and several Red-Tail Hawks. We heard the owls but never saw them. On this visit we saw several types of Egrets , Anhinga and other small birds that flew by so fast we couldn’t identify them. We also saw two alligators and the baby alligators in the lettuce pond. Our visit was in the middle of June and we did not experience any problems with bugs. My hobby is nature photography and this Sanctuary always gives me an opportunity to get some great shots. Walk slowly and listen to the sounds of nature around you. Can’t wait to go back again.

Loved the boardwalk and surroundings. We didn’t get a guide but thoroughly enjoyed the scenery. The movie in the visitor center was good also.

We were hoping to see some of the animals listed on the preserve webpage, but we mostly struck out. We did see 1 alligator, 1 red shouldered hawk, and two woodpeckers. (An employee told us that the water table was too high right now for wading birds.) What we did see plenty of were gorgeous trees, wildflowers, lichen, mushrooms, water lilies, strangler figs, ferns, and bromeliads. Beautiful easy boardwalk stroll.

The Sanctuary itself is amazing. Customer experience and customer service, however, is very lacking. It is not cheap to go here.

(1) In the Covid era, you now have to make reservations, and they close earlier. Last time to come in is 1:15. If you're even 5 minutes late you're turned away, and Kathy isn't particularly nice about it.

(2) They are pressure washing the boardwalk during visitation hours. This completely destroys the peacefulness of the experience, and deters birds. I understand that it needs to be done - but do it in non-visitation hours, particularly now that you're closing so early!

This is nature preserve operated by the Audobon Society. The main attraction is the boardwalk through the Corkscrew Swamp. The boardwalk is roughly 2-1/2 miles longs through large areas of old growth Bald Cypress swamp. It takes 2-3 hours to walk the entire distance assuming you make as many stops as we did to take pictures and look at the wildlife. The boardwalk affords you an up-close view of preserved Bald Cypress trees, swamp lands, and the other kinds of diverse landscapes. You will see many kinds of of birds and aquatic animals (yes, even alligators). The scenery is truly spectacular especially considering how close it is to Naples.

Lifetime Floridian but have never been deep into cypress dome because they are impenetrable. Magnificent experience and loved the primeval beauty of the old growth aged cypress trees. Went in November and was frankly disappointed at the volume of birds, but did see some unique ones e.g. white eyed vireo, to me. Was also shocked how much development and growth there is heading in that direction and cherish those with the foresight to preserve this area

Take water if it’s warm. Much of the board walk is sunny. We saw heron, snakes, alligators, turtles and pileated wood pecker

This was a very nice walk through a sanctuary. About 2 1/2 miles on a wooden boardwalk. Lots of wildlife, very informative.

During this covid time we required to booked online. The number of visitors are limited by entrance time.
Our experience of checking in and entering the sanctuary was quick and easy.
Once in the sanctuary we spent over 2 hours exploring the boardwalks seeing all kinds of birds, turtles and baby racoons. We were lucky to see some orchids in blooms.
It was a wonderful visit with the plus of in the winter there were no flying insects. I would recommend visiting the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and would visit again.

Don’t be late!!! We have been wanting to visit this park for a long time. We live in Sarasota (almost 2 hours away) and purchased 3 tickets on Friday morning for the 1:00 pm tour. We drove down, hit slow traffic and the trip took longer then expected. There is a notice that says the latest you can arrive is 1:30. Because of the delay in traffic that was out of our control - we did not arrive until 1:35. There was a gentleman at the entrance closing the gate to the parking lot (who was polite) but he wouldn’t even let us in the parking lot. He said the gate to the boardwalk closes at 1:30. I tried to explain what happened and he was firm that we couldn’t go on the boardwalk. I asked if we could go to the front office and get a refund & he told us we should call the office to get a refund. He wouldn’t even let us turn around in the parking lot, we had to back down the driveway. I waited until Monday, called the office to get a refund or credit since we couldn’t use the tickets. I explained what happened and the woman in the office said I could only get a refund the day before our appt (which made NO sense since I bought the tickets the same day). I explained the situation again & asked if I could have a credit and try to visit another day. She told me she would look into it and Never called me back. I feel that this was very unfair - I understand we were late & couldn’t go in but please don’t just take our money and ignore us. The right thing to do would be refund or credit the money. I’m sad to say that at this point we will not try to visit this park again and I will be posting this review to several sites.

The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary boardwalk is a lovely walk, not too strenuous and not too long. We saw the ghost orchid blooming, woodpecker chicks, a southern black racer and a barn owl. The real highlight was seeing a two adult alligators and around 15 baby alligators in the Lettuce Lake, although this would depend on the time of year you visited. Really lovely morning walk.

This is a 2.5 mile hike over a planked/elevated trail and through a swamp sanctuary. The flora and fauna are mostly spectacular but going earlier in the day or during the rainy season ( May-Sept.) probably gives a better experience. They have wheelchairs for elderly/handicapped and it is an easy walk for the able bodied. No mosquitos when we walked in Dec. Signage explaining the variety of sights is helpful. A small gift shop completes the experience. This is not the most *exciting* event in the Naples area, but it does become somewhat redundant, but makes for an enjoyable 2-3 hour morning or afternoon excursion for children and adults alike.

Such a calming and interesting place to walk around. 2.8m of boardwalk which you take leisurely so as to look out for a whole host of birds and wildlife. Pleasant cafe on site too.

This is a gem for anyone who admires a leisurely walk among the trees. We saw baby alligators, different birds and lizards.

Got off to a bad start when our SatNav took us ten miles off track. A warm welcome from reception on arrival and picked up our guide book which is a cheap addition to help ID any critters. It was very warm and humid so we definitely did the right thing by taking a bottle of water each. It wasn't busy and we were allowed to set off earlier than our booked time slot. Others were turning up and paying on the gate. We did the longer full route and really took our time - about one hour 45 mins taken in total. We heard a 'gator 'roaring' (male mating call) a few yards ahead and came across a 5 footer alongside the boardwalk. Also saw a raccoon, several hawks, woodpeckers,
and southeastern lubber - grasshoppers. Won't list everything, but we definitely felt it was money well spent.

We had an amazing time during our visit. The boardwalk and overlooks are very well maintained but there is no mistaking that you are in the wilderness. We saw many types of birds, a tree frog, alligators, not to mention the spectrum of flora. Truly a worthwhile stop and I look forward to visiting again.

I like to observe birds and there I was spoiled, I saw for the first time a small blue heron at 10m an American anhinga on a branch 5 m in front and back that plunged into the mangrove. A little further on another who dried his wings in the sun on a branch. Thanks to the binocular x8 rented at the reception I saw a red-bellied woodpecker. I have reviewed with pleasure large egrets and white ibis. I also saw the Carolina Wren. Anyway, it was great. I'll be back. The place is magical away from the hustle and bustle of Naples or Miami. Thank you to the ladies at the reception and guards full of good advice

Took us 3 hrs to do the entire boardwalk. Saw a couple alligators, a cottonmouth, a couple rat snakes and lots of birds.
A definite reccomend

We were in town for a short Xmas break and found ourselves waking up to a record breaking tropical storm forecast. Never mind, went to Target and bought $1.99 Coleman Ponchos and headed out to the Sanctuary. Absolutely fantastic experience. OLD Forest Cypress Tree Swamp with very well constructed elevated 2.5 mile boardwalk. Chock full of wildlife, both Flora and Fauna that I do not get to see very often. Great educational markers along the way. HIGHLY recommend a visit!

My husband and I went to this amazing Boardwalk today Sunday, November 14, 2019. It was a great experience and it was just so beautiful. If you are a student or teacher you get a discount. Valid ID needed. I loved it. It was like a trip to the pass seeing these giant cypress that are 500 years old. 100 feet tall. Amazing experience. We went during the cold and it was perfect.

Corkscrew Swamp's long boardwalk through the preserve is a naturalist's joy. We walked continuously, taking the shorter route, about 90 minutes of walking and stopping. The birding is excellent. Had I been there alone, I'd have spent much more time and would have found a place just to stop and observe for a long time. The volunteer naturalists are very friendly and helpful. They aren't equally knowledgeable, but they know a lot more than most people. Among the birds we saw: White Ibis, Great Egret, Tri-colored Heron, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Anhinga, Swallow-tailed Kite, Cattle Egret. Highly recommended.

This is a great place for anyone with an interest in nature. It has abundant opportunities for photography, and observations along the boardwalk.

Additionally there are feeders at the visitor center which attract many birds.

The visitor center itself is well worth a visit, with friendly people available to answer any questions. There is also an interesting gift shop.

While were there in early March the restaurant was closed but you could purchase sandwiches, and other refreshments at the gift shop.

You walk on the plank path through different vegetation (different cypress species, grassland, marshland). If you take time to listen to the sounds and have your eyes everywhere, you can discover many animals.
For us it was 2-3 very relaxing and beautiful hours.
Currently, walk-ins are not accepted - be sure to pre-order tickets!

There is not much more that can be said about this amazing place. If you love nature and you're in the area you simply cannot miss it. The quality of the experience is unmatched. I visit it every time I'm in the arean and enjoy its quiet splendor every time.

I hope to be back again to do more bird watching and to walk more of the beautiful boardwalk around the sanctuary.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here. Two miles of boardwalk through the most peaceful surroundings. Didn’t see much wildlife today, despite hearing plenty - we may just have been looking in the wrong place!

Well worth the 40 minute drive from Naples.

Great place to walk and absorb nature. You feel like you are out in the wild as you walk through the paths. Wonderful.

Fabulous walk in nature all on a nice boardwalk. Saw a barred owl, alligator, various birds, plants, cypress trees and wildflowers. Knowledgeable volunteers on the trails were helpful in answering questions and pointing out wildlife. Get an online reservation in advance. Great for all ages. The round trip walk is 2.5 miles, although there is a short cut that reduces the walk considerably.

A few months ago, my father came to town. We took him to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, and all three of us loved it. Especially near the end, when we saw dozens of baby alligators!

Great place to have couple hours walk. Ticket seems a little over priced tho.
Visited 3 times in last year, each time i was happy to be there.

Very interesting walk, staff very informative... a tad pricey though, but in support of Audubon, so OK.

We went here with some friends. The walk was all on a boardwalk, about 2 1/2 miles total. Much of the walk was in the shade, but some parts were in the sun. I imagine it could get very hot. Lots of wildlife, birds of all sorts, alligators, turtles... You have an opportunity to take a short cut but otherwise, you're committed to finishing the loop. Rest rooms are only in the main building at the beginning/end of the path. Bring water, maybe a snack and binoculars, if you have them. I took some nice pictures and the board walk provides access for wheelchairs and strollers. The volunteers were very visible and friendly. There's a cafeteria and gift shop there too. A quiet way to spend some time in nature.

This place is absolutely magical. I saw lots of plants and flowers including giant cypress trees and the rare ghost orchid. There are also many animals. We saw lots of lizards, frogs and bugs. We even saw a large alligator and a owl up close. This place was actually not to buggy it was really hot though. Since it’s mostly shaded it isn’t scorching. I thought this place was amazing and had a great time.

Was excited to visit based on many reviews indicating the variety of wildlife we might see. Unfortunately during our visit we saw 1 turtle, 1 frog and a couple of birds. Our visit did provide a really nice, leisure walk along the boardwalk which meanders thru natural habitats. Tickets and reservations ensure it’s not crowded. We enjoyed being outside and glad we visited but wouldn’t return.

A place to get lost with a lot of flora and fauna. I strongly recommend it.
We saw raccoons, squirrels, woodpeckers, etc.

We had our annual visit to the swamp a week ago and were not disappointed. The wildlife was abundant and the weather was perfect. This time we had the pleasure of spotting a mother alligator with her offspring. The 3 mile boardwalk was busy but not crowded as it was a cool day for Florida in March. One word of caution is their little cafe was not serving any hot food that day and we had been planning to have a bite of lunch before our visit. Their other food choices are limited so if you were counting on eating here during your visit you should call ahead.

Very cool experience, highly enjoyed the scenery. Like it was so cool man, I will definitely be back to this cool spot!!!!