Located in Christmas, Florida, about twenty minutes from east Orlando and thirty minutes from Kennedy Space Center, Orlando Wetlands is not just a park – it is a unique man-made ecosystem and wildlife sanctuary that plays a vital role in water reclamation. This 1200 acre wetlands ecosystem treats up to 35 million gallons of water a day and is home to numerous animals, including over 220 bird species. This stunning, secluded habitat is ideal for hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing, and nature photography and is the perfect stop on your trip from Orlando to the Space Coast.
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HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF ORLANDO WETLANDS
Opened in 1987, Orlando Wetlands is one of the inaugural artificial wetland habitats created for the treatment of reclaimed wastewater. A 75-acre lake and 18 wetland cells were established to create the ecosystem. Up to 35 million gallons of treated water from Iron Bridge Regional Water Reclamation Facility are sent to Orlando Wetlands, where, over the course of approximately 40 days, wetland plants naturally absorb nitrogen and phosphorus from the water. This process both nourishes the plants and also removes these elements from the water, further restoring it before the water flows into the St. Johns River.
In addition to its vital role in the water reclamation process, Orlando Wetlands is also a wildlife refuge and recreation area. The management team at the park routinely removes invasive plants and adds native species to support biodiversity, which keeps the wetlands healthy. Wetlands provide many important functions, including filtering 90% of pollutants from water, reducing carbon in the air, decreasing flooding, and supplying food and shelter for a myriad of animal species. These benefits make Orlando Wetlands a crucial addition to the natural environment in Florida.
THINGS TO DO AT ORLANDO WETLANDS PARK
Hiking is a popular activity at Orlando Wetlands. The park contains miles of trails and loops as well as a scenic boardwalk through the cypress dome. Hadassah and I strolled the boardwalk on our visit and were amazed at how many different animals we saw–everything from alligators to gar to birds such as anhingas and purple gallinules. Other animals you may encounter at the park are otters, bobcats, deer, snakes, and birds such as herons, bald eagles, and roseate spoonbills. This truly is an incredible location for those wanting to view Florida’s diverse natural wildlife.
For those interested in nature photography, the options at Orlando Wetlands are endless. Whether you prefer landscape shots or wildlife photography, you will undoubtedly have plenty of opportunities to capture the picturesque scenery. Hadassah was absolutely in heaven and took hundreds of photos.
Equestrians will also enjoy Orlando Wetlands, as the park offers a designated equestrian trail.
For those who want to see more of the area without miles of walking, the park offers free tram tours on Fridays and Saturdays between 8am and 2pm. These tours are volunteer led and only run during the months of May-October. You are also welcome to contact Orlando Wetlands to arrange a customized tour. These tours are available for anyone from individuals to families to school groups.
In February, Orlando Wetlands also hosts a free festival with environmental exhibits, guided hikes, live animal presentations, kids’ activities, and native plant giveaways.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Orlando Wetlands is located in Christmas, Florida, about fifty minutes from Disney World, thirty minutes from Titusville, and a little over an hour from Daytona Beach, which makes it an easy day trip from Orlando or the Space Coast. The park is open Tuesday-Sunday from sunrise to sunset. It is closed on Mondays and all holidays observed by the City of Orlando, which include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. There are no admission fees to visit.
Orlando Wetlands has restrooms and covered picnic tables near the parking lot, as well as restrooms in the Visitor’s Center, which is located a short walk north from the parking lot. The Visitor’s Center is a great place to start your visit, as it has beautiful educational displays, as well as brochures, maps, and a small gift shop with shirts, hats, books, and snacks. Please note that the Visitor’s Center has slightly different hours than the park as a whole, as it is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-4pm.
TIPS FOR VISITING
The best times to visit Orlando Wetlands are during the spring or fall seasons as the temperatures are more moderate, the humidity is lower, and severe thunderstorms occur less often. Regardless of what time of year you visit, we strongly recommend bringing a hat and sunscreen, as most of the trails are not shaded. You should also bring water, comfortable walking or hiking shoes, a camera, and a binocular for spotting wildlife.
Please also be respectful visitors by remaining on the paths and following the park’s rules, which include not fishing, hunting, swimming, using drones, or bringing pets into the park. Practice wildlife safety by not approaching or harassing any of the animals, and staying at least 75 feet away from predators such as alligators. Be prepared to come across alligators along the trails–Hadassah captured the photo below of an alligator sunning along the side of Bobcat Trail. We had just finished the boardwalk and planned to take Bobcat Trail back toward the Visitor Center, but when we saw the alligator by the path, we turned around and went back to the boardwalk. Alligators may appear docile, but they are actually very fast and it is always better to be safe than sorry.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
If you enjoy learning about history, we recommend checking out Fort Christmas Historical Park, which is located only two miles from Orlando Wetlands in Christmas, Florida. This amazing park includes a replica of a fort built during the Second Seminole Indian War, which houses educational exhibits and artifacts that have been found at the site. The park also has several pioneer homes you can tour, an amazing playground for kids, and covered picnic areas.
About half an hour away along the east coast, you can immerse yourself in more nature at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, stroll undeveloped coastline and catch a rocket launch at Canaveral National Seashore, or learn about the history of space travel at Kennedy Space Center. For more ideas about things to do near Orlando Wetlands, you can also check out our Central Florida page here.
We hope that you have the chance to visit Orlando Wetlands on your next Florida trip. This beautiful park is great for nature lovers, photographers, families, and anyone looking for a peaceful escape and a chance to experience the real Florida.
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Sarah
I am the main writer and website designer for Florida Unveiled. I love the parts of Florida visitors don’t often see: the tea-colored water that flows in cypress-laden rivers; the chorus of frogs after a hard rain; the rustle of palmetto as an unseen creature scampers by. Some of my favorite places in Florida are the Everglades, the Keys, Smyrna Dunes Park, Bok Tower Gardens, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and St. Augustine’s Historic District.
