Oakland Nature Preserve

David Petrella

2024-04

This is very nice set of trails just off the West Orange Trail (WOT). There are a few dirt trails at the entrance from WOT, one with a small exercise course. One leads back to an ancient old sinkhole. But the main attraction is the boardwalk to Lake Apopka. The boardwalk is very impressive in length and quality. Someone put a lot of $$ and effort into its construction. This allows it to be very accessible for all ages and abilities. At just over a mile round trip, it’s a perfect stroll for anyone even the youngsters. The boardwalk travels through heavily wooded forest above the swamp. At the end of the boardwalk guests are rewarded with a nice view of Lake Apopka and its varied birds and waterfowl. Those friends of Scouting will be impressed with the various Eagle projects in the park. Recommended.

Kelly

2024-02

This isn’t a long trail but great fun for kiddos. The boardwalk trail is handicap accessible. The red of the trail is not. We have seen a bob cat here while being very quiet but if you’re making noise you’re not likely to see any birds or wildlife. We see butterflies and sometimes alligators at the end of the boardwalk. This is a great imaginative creative nature play area for kids.

Eliza Aleksandra

2024-03

…More

Hector Colon Medina

2023-11

This is a beautiful location. Short but picturesque hiking trails with lots of stops to talk about the environment. Great for younger kids. Includes a small museum and learning center. Everyone was kind and welcoming. The boardwalk to Lake Apopka was really nice and the pavilion at the end of the walk is quiet and has a beautiful view of the lake and shore environment.

Samantha Young

2024-04

The boardwalk is great! Take your time and look around. A lot of signage to help you learn about the local flora and fuana. There is free parking.

TJ Colaci

2024-03

Really nice natural trails and park. There is a great mix of both dirt and boardwalk trails. The beautiful boardwalk path leads to a nice lakeside dock at Lake Apopka. The views are spectacular! Very cool and informative exhibit center/museum. Everything is free! Can’t beat that! As with any other nature trail in Florida, be prepared in advance for biting insects - mosquitoes, horseflies, ticks, etc! Do not wear perfume.Folks who don’t like snakes: be warned you may encounter snakes. I have twice, and one was a coral snake (check out the pics).At the Lake Apopka section of the boardwalk, look carefully along the sides just before the dock - you may have cool sitings of small, young adult gators and turtles. They like to hang close to the sides. Very large gators will also hang in the lake not too far from the dock.

Ram Cherukuri

2024-04

…More

Stephanie Casternopoulos

2024-01

The Oakland Nature Preserve is such a well-kept and beautiful location to visit. My family loves walking the raised trails and spotting squirrels, racoons, a variety of birds, turtles, frogs, alligators and more along the way. The lake view at the end is so nice and always a fun little stop before heading back. We visited several times without realizing there is an amazing indoor educational room open to the public as well. My children love reading through the all of the nature books and viewing all of the small, live creatures inside. If you've never stopped in, it's definitely worth checking out. Though I've never attended an event here, I have seen several advertised: wine walks, art galleries, holiday and seasonal events, etc. Definitely follow them on social media for more information.

Cathy Steinbuck

2024-04

This place is awesome. We live about 30 minutes from here and go down towards that way but never knew this place existed. Nice trails and boardwalks. There's even a little inside museum as they call it. It's about a 3/4 of a mile walk down the boardwalk to get to Lake Apopka. There are a few other trails there. Also. The canopy is really nice so for the most part it stays a little bit cooler and mostly shaded. There is plenty of parking and there are bathrooms on site. And best yet is that it is free. However, donations are accepted.. We will definitely be back.

Torben Møller

2024-04

Nice walk to the large lake. Very easy and lots of vegetation to see.

Tracy Beach

2023-05

Very peaceful place to go for a walk. I went on a Saturday and it was not very busy. Stopped in at the visitor centre before heading out. Clean washrooms, water fountain (with water bottle refill), and friendly staff that were able to answer my questions about the trails and suggest a few things. I walked along the board walk. Very easy walk, there were covered areas along the way to stop and sit. The end of the boardwalk goes out to the water, and there are chairs to sit and enjoy the breeze.

Nicole Morisco

2024-04

…More

Cassie R M

2023-05

Amazing nature preserve with trails, history and a small museum. I would recommend talking to the volunteers at the museum to get more info in the history of the place, Lake Apopka and some animals in the area. Taking a walk on the trails protected by the trees is a great way to start.There’s an old sink hole inside the place.No dogs (service dogs allowed) or cycling is allowed. However the main entrance is located just at the Orange Trail.

Melissa Colon

2023-08

This is one of the best nature preserves in Central Florida. There are nice walking paths where you can see different birds and gopher tortoises as well as a boardwalk down to Lake Apopka. They have special events throughout the year, including seeing fireflies at night. The trails and the boardwalk are easily accessible. Be sure to look for alligators, snakes, skinks, and more as you walk along the boardwalk.

Sarah Wray

2023-05

…More

Jarell Pigott

2023-05

…More

Sabrina L. Ramos

2023-05

…More

Connor Holt

2024-02

I was here the week after Christmas. Really pleasant place. Entrance is accessible by the bike trail. Pretty scenery, dense plant life, nice views of the lake. Trails are short and easy, but I spent 4 hours here and never had to re-trace my steps. Good birding, particularly by the lake, amongst the pine trees near the visitors' center, and on the yellow trail.

carolyn clanton

2024-04

…More

Todd Miller

2023-12

…More

Rick Bales

2023-05

…More

shay wolf

2023-05

…More

Ladybug Mobile Notary

2023-07

…More

Louie

2021-05

This place is amazing. You can relax, work-out and have a pleasant time alone or with friends and family. Throughout the trail you will find information about the plants and animals in the area. The preserve is well maintained, has restrooms and free parking. If you are looking for a trail this is a must. If you visit during dawn, please take bug repellent or the mosquitoes will have a feast.

Captain Murdock

2022-05

Super nice boardwalk. Really well built and super smooth. Great for strollers, wheelchairs etc. Other trails are nice too. Nature Center for some education for the kids, or adults 😁.Sinkhole on additional trail as well as picnic tables tucked away by the turtle and possom exhibit.Worth a visit!

Ogre Ray

2021-05

Excellent trail and park. Very well maintained, with planked walkways from entry to the end on the lake. Excellent for strollers, elderly, handicapped, etc.... but also just great for everyone.Educational placards through the walk, with plenty of shaded benches along the way. Great walking trail park, with lots of wildlife.

David Bellamy

2024-03

A very nice walk that can take between 15-25mins one depending on your walk speed. It's very quiet with time to look at nature.Lots of signs helping you investigate the plants and animals. At the end of Machete Trail is a large deck to look out upon Lake Apopka.Look real closely along the trail, and you may just see so fun wildlife from otters to armadillos to even an alligator swimming. Parking multiple surveillance cameras for added security while you are in the trail

Vivi Bon

2023-05

…More

K B

2023-06

Not dog friendly. Wouldn't want to bring dog though, the boardwalk ground is very hot to walk on.But still really nice to visit. Didn't see many animals though.

onthegoboomer

2021-05

This is a beautiful park to visit if you are looking for a quiet walk with nature. There are several trails and I will return to do the red trail. Today we walked the boardwalk to the Lake (2/3 mile) and walked around to see birds. We saw a few in the water along side a baby alligator sunbathing in the reeds and a woodpecker. The bathrooms are very clean and the museum is informative along with live specimens including a tarantula, two snakes, frogs, lizard and turtles. They also have a black bear, skunk and poisonous snake all in a case (taxidermy). The boardwalk has placards describing the various plants and trees but because it is winter they were lacked the spring beauty absent of flowers.