Secret Woods Nature Center — Attraction in Dania Beach

They're back open as of 8/1/24, but the exhibit buildings and restrooms are closed for renovations. The trails are open!! They have portable restrooms that we didn't use.

Once inside the park, if you go to the 1st entrance, you first get to the short and mulchy Pollinator Trail. You can then walk through the mulchy Laurel Oak trail to get to the New River Trail, but if you go to the 2nd entrance (walk past the first entrance the road) you'll enter right on the New River Trail which is a boardwalk rather than mulch trail. It is still closed over by the New River where they were building a Manatee overlook, which hasn't been completed yet, and it's unsure if it even will be. There used to be a nice dock, right on the water, which is where the overlook was supposed to be, but that section of the trail is now closed. It's really the best part of the trail, in my opinion, so I hope they reopen it, even without the overlook. We have seen manatees in the New River from their old dock! Anyway, it's still a great place, a real mangrove swamp that makes you forget you're right in the middle of the City of Fort Lauderdale. Today, my friend and I had a nice walk, saw a yellow crowned night heron, several white ibis, heard blue jays and other birds, saw crabs, and a raccoon. Definitely glad it's back open after being closed for a year...

The Secret Woods Nature Center is a refreshing experience to explore Every and anything away from the city.. This Secret Treasure creates a sense of pause and getaway. The parking holds about 70 to 75 cars for parking. You can witness upon entering the property free roaming blue crabs, and birds and foliage. There is a beautiful hand painted sign the greets you once you begin the trail into the trail with sign to direct you to the office for questions, maps and other monthly and calendar information. The Manager on the property was very helpful and if your looking to use this beautiful space for a private event there is accommodations for your occasion.. Which also a huge indoor and outdoor terrace.. This property is so much fun and the path is secretly surprising.That You Don’t know what’s around the corner from the oak trees ferns, said alligators and water walk area.. which be sure to keep your personal items close and personally put away that you don’t drop anything ion the mangroves once the path gets closer to the water.. It is a complete experience or scene out of a indie upcoming thriller or countryside enchanting Secret Wood.. Which it’s perfectly allowed to have a Premium Cigar after the way, with hopes that the breezeways of the Trees don’t mind!”...

Nice park, terrible staff. I have been coming to “the woods” for about 6 years now. In that 6 years, my car was vandalized twice. After the second time one of the nicer members told me it was okay to park up front (where the employees park). So for 2+ years that was where i have parked to enjoy my walks. About a week ago a staff member named Roggy literally SCREAMED at me & my friend about not parking there. He had the worst disposition of anyone I’ve ever met working in such a pretty place....i explained to him the situation & why i parked there & when he started to yell, my friend stepped in & tried to explain that my window was literally smashed in a break in on premises & he cut her off saying “yea yea I’ve heard she already told me i get it”. He was extremely aggressive & EXTREMELY RUDE for no reason. Sorry that i didn’t want to get robbed again Roggy...i wonder why the employees don’t park where they have a “monitoring security guard”.....will prob never come back here. Sad too cause it was one of my favorite places to relax. Now it’s tainted with...