Nature Trails

Trail Overview

Take your time, use your senses, and let nature reveal its secrets—because there's more than meets the eye when you make the effort to really experience it!

Trail Options:

• Indian River Lagoon Loop (1 mile): A scenic walk through tropical hammock and mangrove habitats with multiple observation and learning points along the way.

• I-Spy Loop (1/3 mile): A shorter loop ideal for families with children, filled with interactive learning opportunities.

Trail Features:

• Tropical Hammocks & Mangrove Swamps: Explore two unique Florida habitats.

• Observation Deck: View the Indian River Lagoon, the most biodiverse estuary in North America, home to over 4,300 species of plants and animals.

• Ais Indian Encampment Replica: Step back in time and discover how Florida’s native Ais Indians once lived.

• Educational Signage: Learn about local wildlife like orb weaver spiders, fiddler crabs, otters, and more through fun facts and visual clues along the trail.

What You Might See

• Birds nesting in the mangroves

• Orb weaver spiders (they help control mosquito populations!)

• Fiddler crab burrows

• Snake skins and animal tracks from river otters and more

Even if wildlife isn’t visible, footprints, feathers, and other signs offer clues about the animals that call this ecosystem home.

Trail Guidelines – Help Us Keep It Wild

We ask all guests to follow these simple guidelines to protect the delicate ecosystems and ensure a safe, enjoyable visit for everyone:

• Stay on the path.

• No smoking on the trail.

• Dispose of trash in designated bins.

• Leave the trail as you found it.

• Respect wildlife—you are a guest in their habitat.

• Exit the trail in the event of inclement weather.

• Do not remove plants or animals.