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
An aerial view of sunflowers blooming at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
Corkscrew Watershed Initiative Aims to Conserve Heart of the Western Everglades
December 05, 2023 — As development continues to rapidly advance in Southwest Florida, conservation of Western Everglades habitat is more important than ever—particularly in the 70,000-acre Corkscrew Watershed, home of the more than 13,000 acres of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
Aerial view of flooded wetland
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Receives Grant from the Collier Community Foundation
November 29, 2023 — The $30,000 grant will support efforts underway at the Western Everglades Research Center.
Two white birds in the swamp.
Photographer-in-Residence Exhibit
November 28, 2023 — See the Sanctuary through the eyes of these fine artists from Feb. 2 through December 30, 2024.
Photo of adult bobcat and kitten.
Monitoring Mammals for Conservation
November 08, 2023 — More than 930,000 photos have already provided valuable information on mammal populations in the Sanctuary since 2013.
Wading bird in a swamp.
NEW Hours, Tours, and More in Store for '23-24 Season
October 20, 2023 — From December 16 through April 30, visiting hours are extended until 5 p.m.
A graph showing rainfall amounts each August since 2004
Rainfall and Water Levels for August 2023
September 22, 2023 — Rainfall recorded at the Sanctuary in August was 10 percent lower than average.
Wading birds in a wetland.
Corkscrew Works in the Community to Share Lessons Learned
September 21, 2023 — Wetland restoration discussions are underway at Bonita Bay community.
A young man standing in front of the U.S. Capitol
Standoff in the Swamp Sends Young Photographer to the Capitol
September 18, 2023 — Estero High School student Storm Childress' image wins annual art contest.
Three people posing outdoors
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Taps Shawn Clem, PhD, for Director of Conservation
August 30, 2023 — The promotion coincides with Clem's 18th year with Audubon.