A boardwalk at sunrise

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

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
Pollinator garden
Picnic area
Binoculars to borrow
Venue rental
Sanctuary News
Corkscrew Watershed Science Forum Presentation Summaries
May 29, 2024 — The following summaries were curated from presentations shared during the 2024 Corkscrew Watershed Science Forum.
Aerial view of treetops with birds nesting.
Wood Stork Nesting Update: May 2024
May 17, 2024 — No wading bird nesting activity was observed at the historic Corkscrew rookery in 2024.
A young man wearing a uniform holds a broom on a boardwalk.
Volunteer Spotlight: Lucas Vincent
May 16, 2024 — Bright Futures scholarship holder served as a boardwalk sweeper volunteer in spring of 2024.
A line of people standing in front of the room.
Corkscrew Volunteers Recognized for Service Milestones
March 29, 2024 — Annual recognition event shines a spotlight on the importance of these everyday heroes.
A three-panel art piece featuring birds, flowers, and leaves hung on a wall.
Q&A with Artist Tamara Kostianovsky
March 11, 2024 — Kostianovsky created "Morning Walk at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary" inspired by a morning on the boardwalk. Her "Botanical Revolution" solo exhibition is at the Baker Museum through April 7, 2024.
Graph showing rainfall compared to historic averages.
Above-average Rainfall Recorded at the Sanctuary This Winter
March 07, 2024 — February 2024 water level closely resembles the historic average.
Graphic showing map of the sanctuary buildings and boardwalk with shaded area for areas recently burned.
Prescribed Fire Update – Focus on the Future
March 07, 2024 — With the reintroduction of fire, these areas are now more resilient and defendable.