Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary-ONLINE TICKETS RECOMMENDED — Attraction in Bonita Springs

One of the best preserves around. Enjoy a calming walk on a wood boardwalk while you enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. I'm not into bird watching at all, but if you are, this is the place to be - binoculars and/or a big camera lens is perfect.

No dogs allowed. Also, this is a quiet place - people are watching for birds and wildlife, so keep voices low and enjoy the sounds of nature.

The walk starts out in an air conditioned information center. They do sell snacks and beverages here. And they have normal, flushing bathrooms. After you purchase your entry ticket, you'll walk through the small building to the backside and as you approach the boardwalk, you'll see two path options, ENTER and EXIT. It's 3 miles (I believe) of boardwalk over a swamp. As far as the distance, you can shorten that 3 miles by taking a shortcut mid-way.

HINT: If you just want a short walk, and to possibly catch a glimpse of a gator, begin your walk on the path on the right marked "EXIT". (the entire walk is simply just a large circle, so the 'Exit' will eventually take you around to the 'Entrance', if that makes sense) If you walk onto the path marked Exit, you will likely see the wettest/swampiest part of the preserve and spot a gator or two. If you walk, beginning at the Entrance part of the boardwalk, you'll see birds and such, but the gators are towards the end of the walk.

I visited in November 2017 and the entire preserve was water, which was magical - a beautiful scene out of a movie, very serene and cool! It was on the cooler side, temperature-wise; we saw one gator who was sunning on the bank. (didn't move a muscle the entire time)

And I most recently visited in April 2018 and, because of the dry winter, which is to be expected, the ground was dry, so it didn't have the same 'magical' effect as when I first visited with it being under water. (again, you're on a boardwalk above) However, we did see two full-grown gators, and 6 baby gators! Tons of birds, lots of turtles, a few snakes.

I think the thing I love most about this preserve is the guides that walk along the boardwalk and pin labels to the wood rails of the boardwalk, pointing out interesting things to see, like a rare snake sighting etc. The guides are very helpful and clearly enthusiastic about being there and helping.

Take your time,...

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary its an amazing park with a 2.4 miles rise board walk making the experience very unique walking the entire park on it . Very nice and comfortable experience .  The boardwalk will take you through this 13,000-acre preserve and you will walk through pine flatwoods, wet prairies, and the largest old-growth bald cypress forest in North America . These cypress trees are like the OGs of the forest, some towering over 130 feet and living for centuries. 

Wildlife? Oh, it’s a whole zoo out there. Expect to see alligators, otters, white-tailed deer, and a great variety of birds from Roseate Spoonbills, egrets , including the vibrant Painted Bunting and Indigo Bunting. And if you’re lucky, you might spot the elusive ghost orchid, which made a blooming appearance in 2024 .  

Admission is $17 for adults, $6 for kids aged 6-14, and free for the little ones under 6 . They also rent binoculars for $3.50, which is a steal for getting up close with the wildlife .  

Winter Hours (Dec 16 – Apr 30): Open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Last entry at 3 PM. • Summer Hours (May 1 – Dec 15): Open daily from 8 AM to 3 PM. Last entry at 1 PM. • Accessibility: The boardwalk is fully wheelchair accessible. It’s at least 5 feet wide throughout, with extra space in spots for passing.

Pro tip: Get there early to beat the crowds and catch the wildlife at its most active. And don’t forget your camera—this place is a dream for photographers. 

Just a heads-up, though: the sanctuary has been grappling with dropping water levels, which poses challenges for the ecosystem . So, your visit not only offers a serene escape but also supports conservation efforts.  ...

I am neither a biologist or an arborist. I am a mom of three children (8, 11, 14) who were not at all convinced that a swamp was a worthy way to spend their morning. Upon arrival at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, however, their spirits were quieted and they gave space for it to be bearable. In the end, and to their surprise, we all really enjoyed it! I didn’t hear one complaint until it was time to leave.

Understanding my role of mom, you will allow me to show you the swamp as my boys saw it. My oldest, a daughter, read the plaques and enjoyed the expected sights, such as the hidden bittern we spotted (pictured—you gotta look carefully!). My boys, on the other hand, saw things such as the cypress tree eating a hand rail and the nice tree hugging the other tree (aka the Strangling Fig—a misnomer in their opinion). They continued to notice more cypress trees trying to consume handrails or “melting” onto the edge of the boardwalk, but occasionally had their attention turned to the swamp beyond the boardwalk by raccoon families, a (false) sighting of a ghost orchid, and—most impressively—a very big alligator.

Along the way, guides helped us see things our novice eyes did not spot. Our questions to them were simple and easily answered, but I overheard some very in depth exchanges between the guides and more knowledgeable guests than we. They were helpful in both situations.

I would recommend this for any age! One consideration for those who might struggle to walk for a long while—there are benches along the way, but if you or a loved one has difficulty with distances, rest may not be as accessible as needed. There are rails to lean on along the...