Sawgrass Recreation Park Gives Visitors a Taste of the Everglades

Located in Weston, Florida, a town situated west of Ft. Lauderdale, Sawgrass Recreation Park is an expansive natural area that provides visitors with a chance to experience the unique flora and fauna of the Everglades area.

A well-kept attraction that was largely rebuilt after being devastated by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, Sawgrass Recreation Park offers a variety of nature-related activities. Most popular is the airboat ride. Experienced tour guides with a sense of humor and plenty of knowledge about the area take guests on a 30-minute ride through a river of grass, past several species of common Florida plants, flowers, and living creatures. Guides also educate visitors about the history of the area. Expect to see alligators, egrets, and a variety of other animals and birds. Tours depart daily approximately every 20-30 minutes.

Private boat tours for small groups can also be arranged. These tours include an extended airboat ride and the opportunity to explore parts of Sawgrass Recreation Park that are not on the regular tour. The private tour also includes access to all the park's animal areas.

Special "Red Eye'' tours are also available and give guests a nighttime view of Alligator Alley. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance and limited excursions and seating are available.

The park's Exotic Wildlife exhibit is sponsored by an organization called Predators Unlimited, which brings different animals to the park each day for visitors to view. Examples of animals on display might include the endangered Florida Panther, tigers, wolves, and large birds of prey. Reptiles are also on display and guests may view large alligators from afar or take part in the "Hold a Baby Alligator'' experience. Snakes and crocs are on hand as well.

Sawgrass Recreation Park's Swampyard Island, a more hands-on experience, lets guests interact with farm animals including pigs, ducks, bunnies, chickens, roosters, and other barnyard favorites. Feeding and petting are permitted and encouraged.

For those wishing an extended stay at Sawgrass Recreation Park, camp sites that accommodate recreational vehicles are available. Reservations are suggested, especially during peak tourist time. Private islands within the property can be rented for group camping and are popular with Scout troops.

Fishing is permitted at Sawgrass Recreation Park. The park owns a fleet of small boats that may be rented by visitors for up to seven tours. Bait and tackle supplies are available for purchase. Adult guests are required to possess a Florida State fishing license in order to troll the waters of Sawgrass Park.

Birthday party packages are also available, which include an airboat ride, private animal shows, entrance to all exhibits, and use of an island pavilion. In addition, for out of town guests, transportation packages can be arranged in conjunction with a local tour company and include round-trip transportation from your local hotel.