A boardwalk at sunrise
Corkscrew

Explore Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Visit our iconic boardwalk or sign up for a guided experience!
Photo: Audubon staff
2.25
Miles of Boardwalk
265
Bird Species Recorded
13,000
Acres of Wilderness Habitat Protected

Welcome to our world-famous 2.25-mile boardwalk.

As you move through the changing scenery, consider that this boardwalk shows visitors only a tiny fraction of the 13,000 acres we call Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. 

The sanctuary is a magnificent and expansive landscape that is home to thousands of species, a diverse tapestry of habitats, and the largest remaining stand of old-growth bald cypress trees in the world. These impressive trees, relatives of the redwood, tower 130 feet into the sky and some have a girth of 25 feet. Their massive branches are draped with orchids, bromeliads, and ferns. 

The sanctuary is home to hundreds of alligators, otters, white-tailed deer, and red-bellied turtles. A wide variety of wading birds, songbirds, and raptors can be seen throughout the year, while the fabulous Painted Bunting is one of many winter visitors. 

Your Guide to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary's 2.25-mile  Boardwalk

Our Iconic Boardwalk
Learn about the history of this amazing structure that makes Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary special.
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Black-and-white photo of two boardwalks side by side, one old and one new
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Birds You Might See
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary provides habitat for more than 260 species across the seasons.
Click here to discover.
Wading birds in a shallow wetland
A variety of wading birds take advantage of dropping water levels in spring to find a meal in the Lettuce Lake. Photo: Renee Wilson/Audubon Florida
Click here to discover.
Features
Boardwalk
Wheelchair accessible
Nature store
Food for purchase
Exhibits
Pollinator garden
Picnic area
Binoculars to borrow
Venue rental
Sanctuary News
View from the back of a packed conference room
Annual Science Forum Inspires Collaboration, Innovation in Southwest Florida
June 13, 2025 — 11th Annual Corkscrew Watershed Science Forum took place on June 6.
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
A bird in flight with something on its back
Special Snail Kite Spotted at the Sanctuary
April 30, 2025 — Bird recorded during Audubon's Christmas Bird Count was part of a tracking study.
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Wading birds in a shallow wetland
Consistent Dry Down at Corkscrew Swamp May Be Good for Birders—Birds, Not So Much
April 10, 2025 — The aquatic prey must repopulate—often by animals in water quite a distance away.
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
A large white bird with greenery in its bill
Wading Bird Nesting is Now Underway in Southwest Florida. How has Nesting Been in Recent Years?
March 12, 2025 — Wood Storks continue to be the primary focus in the Western Everglades due to their role as an indicator species and the region’s historic importance for this species.
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Volunteer Spotlight: Liz Lunsford's Childhood Experiences at the Sanctuary Left a Lasting Impression
February 27, 2025 — Recent Florida Gulf Coast University graduate shares her unique path to volunteering.
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
View of tall trees with a sunburst behind them
Audubon Reaching Toward $20 Million Campus Vision at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
February 18, 2025 — The re-imagined campus will provide the infrastructure needed to advance Audubon’s conservation leadership in the Western Everglades.
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Aerial view of an island with white birds in the treetops
February Survey Shows Wood Storks Nesting in Southwest Florida, Just Not at Corkscrew Swamp
February 13, 2025 — No Wood Storks were seen in the area of the historic colony.
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary