Presenting

2017 Paradise Coast Official Visitors Guide

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D i s c o v e r Y o u r P a r a d i s e . | N a p l e s , M a r c o I s l a n d & T h e E v e r g l a d e s 2 2 The best way to truly appreciate the amazing natural wonders of Florida's Paradise Coast is to get out and explore them firsthand. Any number of exciting adventures await! Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Trek Corkscrew's famed 2.25-mile boardwalk through pine flatwoods, over a wet prairie, around a marsh and into the largest old-growth Bald Cypress forest in Nor th America. These incredible trees, relatives of the redwood, can reach as tall as 130 feet and have a gir th of 25 feet. Explore more by checking out the wetlands and night critters in the evening light. Special guided walks are offered during Corkscrew's After Hours nights, when the Sanctuary's Blair Audubon Center and boardwalk stay open until 9pm. Big Cypress National Preserve This preserve is home to fascinating wildlife like barking tree frogs, roseate spoonbills and the endangered Florida panther. There are seven campgrounds to choose from, as well as trails galore for cycling, hiking, driving and paddling your way through the preserve. Explore more by experiencing the source of acclaimed nature photographer Clyde Butcher's inspiration. After taking in some of Butcher's haunting black-and-white images at the Big Cypress Gallery, head out back to join a guided swamp walk and witness the magic of the cypress groves for yourself. Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge Over 26,000 acres make up this refuge, located in the heart of the Big Cypress Swamp. Two hiking trails are open to the public. One is a 1/3 mile, wheelchair- accessible loop trail that winds through a hardwood hammock punctuated with towering oaks and tropical vegetation. Visitors are more likely to catch sight of tracks left by deer, bear and the occasional panther on the longer 1.3-mile trail. Explore more by checking if there are any special planned activities, such as the Open House events, during which areas that are normally closed to public access are open for buggy tours and swamp hikes. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park While the biggest attraction is the beach itself, there are approximately five miles of boardwalks and sandy areas that wind their way through the park, many leading to the beach for shelling, swimming, snorkeling and fishing opportunities. Explore more along the designated nature trail through the shady hammock and climb the observation tower for a captivating bird's eye view. Parks & Nature T The elusive Florida panther is one of the most endangered mammals in the world.

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