Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
To say people have an opinion on Central Florida is an understatement. We frequent the area because we have family there and we love Disney World. Whenever people hear we are going to Orlando, it is usually met with comments like “AGAIN?!?” or “I don’t like it there because I don’t like crowds”. I am here to tell you there is so much more than just theme parks in Central Florida and if you don’t like crowds, stick around, because I don’t either, and do everything I can to avoid them.
Visitor Information at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. QR codes for their audio tour are available at the entrance.
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive was new to us on our last visit and a great opportunity to experience the rich wildlife native to the area. And if your kids are anything like mine, eager to see a Florida alligator, this is the place to do it. There are ongoing restoration projects throughout the area, so it is only open for driving tours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is a self-guided tour in your own car. You can access an audio tour here, which I highly recommend. It is an 11-mile drive, with a maximum speed of 10mph. It will take 1-3 hours to complete. There are portapotties along the route, as well as designated pull-off spots, and a larger lot where you can get out, stretch your legs and take a short walk.
The is a haven for birdwatching. We have a Florida field guide we picked up in Big Cypress National Preserve last year, which was a great help in identifying the large array of birds we saw. While much of the wildlife was extremely close, we keep binoculars on the car, which we found helpful for harder-to-spot creatures. After experiencing Big Cypress and now Lake Apopka Wildlife Drives, my biggest tip when looking for alligators is to look down. More than once I found myself scanning the water, looking for movement, only to realize there was an alligator hanging out in the grass along the banks of the water. This is also a good reminder that these are wild animals, you are on their turf, and you should be giving them ample room to keep both you and them safe.
Looking for more Florida wildlife? An hour north of Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is Blue Spring State Park, from November to April it is one of the best places to view manatees in Central Florida and during the summer months you can beat the heat in the 72-degree spring water. For hidden gems like this and more family and budget-friendly travel content, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.