Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Corkscrew Swamp



Corkscrew Swamp is an Audubon Society sanctuary about 25 miles northeast of Naples that protects 11,000 acres of Florida hardwood swamp, including a large group of old-growth Bald Cypress. The preserve is a major nesting area for the endangered Wood Stork.

A 2.25 mile boardwalk provides an easy walk through an interesting habitat that would otherwise be inaccessible. The woods are so unlike the Midwest, full of strangler figs, wild hibiscus, and cypress knees (not to mention alligators). I was lucky enough to see a rare Ghost Orchid on one visit.

A visitor center provides exhibits on the fauna and flora of the swamp, a bookstore, and knowledgeable rangers. A variety of guided nature walks begin at the visitor center.







Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

375 Sanctuary Road West
Naples, FL 34120


Admission



This post is part of a series on Florida's Gulf Coast

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