Night hikes & nature walks in Broward parks

For an interesting twist on nightlife activities, register for evening nature walks.

Different parks occasionally offer evening nature walks in forests, prairies, on shorelines and other intriguing outdoor spaces.

You’ll savor distinctive sights, scents and sounds of evenings in the wild. Some parks offer nature walks in the daylight.

The fee for night hikes usually is $5 a person, which is ideal for a frugal romantic date or a fun family outing. Pre-registration is often required for the events. Phone the park you’re interested in for additional information and registration. Flashlights, drinking water and insect repellent are recommended.

Day hikes usually are free. Weekend & holiday park entry fees apply at some parks.

Night hikes

7 p.m. November 5 Long Key Natural Area, 3501 S.W. 130th Avenue, Davie 33330, 954-357-8797, registration required, $5
7 p.m. November 19 Long Key Natural Area, 3501 S.W. 130th Avenue, Davie 33330, 954-357-8797, registration required, $5
5:30 p.m. November 19 Secret Woods, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach 33312, 954-357-8884, $5, pre-registration required
6 p.m. November 27 Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise 33323, 954-357-8868, registration required, $5
5:30 p.m. January 16 Secret Woods, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach 33312, 954-357-8884, $5, pre-registration required
7 p.m. April 16 Secret Woods, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach 33312, 954-357-8884, $5, pre-registration required
6 p.m. July 11 Secret Woods, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach 33312, 954-357-8884, $5, pre-registration required

Nature Walks & Nature Events in Broward include

Secret Woods in Dania Florida. Photo/Broward Parks & Recreation

Nature walks @ Fern Forest, usually 1 p.m. Sundays, phone for verification, reservations recommended, free entry, 201 Lyons Road South, Coconut Creek 33063, 954-357-5198
Nature walks, usually 3 p.m. first Saturdays, Secret Woods, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach 33312, 954-357-8884, free, phone for verification event is on
Nature walks, usually 10:30 a.m. first Sundays, Secret Woods, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach 33312, 954-357-8884, free, phone for verification
Spiny Orb Weaver Haunts and Things, October 30 @ noon, for ages 10 and younger with adult, $5 per kid, pre-registration required, emphasis on spiders and spider activities, Fern Forest, 201 Lyons Road South, Coconut Creek 33063, 954-357-5198
Nature walk 10 a.m. October 31, November 28 & others, free, pre-register, Long Key Natural Area, 3501 S.W. 130th Avenue, Davie 33330, 954-357-8797
November 13 Saturday Stroll, emphasis on air plants & lichens, 10 a.m., free, phone for verification, Fern Forest, 201 Lyons Road South, Coconut Creek 33063, 954-357-5198
Wetlands Walk with naturalist guide, 10 a.m. November 17, wet & muddy feet likely, $3 per person, Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Road South, Coconut Creek 33063, reservations required, register at park or 954-357-5198
Maple Walk Trail, 10 a.m. November 20, wet feet likely, $3 fee, reservations required, Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Road South, Coconut Creek 33063, 954-357-5198

For information on other nature walks, phone the park for information, or refer to the website. Participating parks occasionally include these & others.

Secret Woods, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach 33312, 954-357-8884
Fern Forest , 201 Lyons Road South, Coconut Creek 33063, 954-357-5198
Long Key Natural Area, 3501 S.W. 130th Avenue, Davie 33330, 954-357-8797
Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub, 3299 N.E. Third Ave., Pompano Beach 33064, 954-357-5100
North Beach Park, 3601 N. Ocean Drive, Hollywood, 33019, 954-357-5187
Miramar Pineland, 3600 S. University Drive, Miramar 33025, 954-357-8776
Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise 33323, 954-357-8868
Deerfield Highlands Nature Preserve, 701 N.E. 41st St., Deerfield Beach 33064, 954-357-5100
Other information about fun activites at parks is online.

DIY nature walks

South Florida offers natural treasures to enjoy.

Fern Forest, features several nature paths, including its elevated boardwalk into cypress/maple swamp, 201 Lyons Road South, Coconut Creek 33063, 954-357-5198, read feature Nature Trails & Free Entry at Fern Forest in North Broward
TY Park in Hollywood, includes tennis, picnic tables & a 2-mile paved path primarily around a lake for walking, running, biking & skateboarding, 3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood 33021, 954-357-8811, read TY Park in Hollywood is lovely venue for outdoor exercise & relaxation
Secret Woods, includes a boardwalk overlooking the New River, and assorted other nature walks, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach 33312, 954-357-8884, read feature
Quiet Waters Park, includes a butterfly garden & nature path, 401 S. Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach 33442, 954-357-5100
Hollywood Beach Broadwalk — lovely 2.5-mile length between waves rolling ashore and shops, hotels & restaurants, read feature
Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk — delightful stretch along the New River from about Southwest Fifth Street east toward Federal Highway, incorporating Esplanade Park, read feature

Read Other Posts

Previous events

3 p.m. October 2, Nature walk, Secret Woods, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach 33312, 954-357-8884, free
10:30 a.m. October 3 nature walk, free, Secret Woods, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach 33312, 954-357-8884, free