Outdoor/Nature options in the Central Florida area?

gzmtlock

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Jun 3, 2010
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DH and I are headed to OKW for a week later this month, using points instead of losing them. We'd like to explore the Orlando area, beyond theme parks and shopping. We enjoy hiking, learning about local nature/ecosystems, and just being outdoors in general. We would love to hear suggestions about what options are available! We'll have a car and would be willing to drive up to 2 hours or so away for a day trip.

TIA!
 
Disney has a nature reserve about 40 min southwest of parks. Can't recall name, is really pretty though, few different trails to walk, it was free, just a donation if you were so inclined. Google search should pull it up.
 
Disney has a nature reserve about 40 min southwest of parks. Can't recall name, is really pretty though, few different trails to walk, it was free, just a donation if you were so inclined. Google search should pull it up.

Looked it up - Disney Wilderness Preserve, protected by the Nature Conservancy. This is exactly the kind of thing we love! Thanks so much for the suggestion!!
 

Oooo, watching this thread as my husband and I have similar interests, and if we need to start renting a car for trips, getting off disney property for more nature-y things is something we’d want to do…
 
Disney has a nature reserve about 40 min southwest of parks. Can't recall name, is really pretty though, few different trails to walk, it was free, just a donation if you were so inclined. Google search should pull it up.
We visited there 5 years ago. It was a beautiful place and we all learned a bit. There is an easy trail and a longer trail to choose from. Since we had our 7 yo nephew with us, we chose the easy trail. It’s nothing like WDW, so don’t go expecting snack kiosks and trash cans every 100 feet. The drive there is rather uneventful and takes you through some more “back woods” areas ...... not very city-like. The only thing noteworthy, was that my nephew got stung by some fire ants. He still talks about it!
 
Within and Hour and half of WDW you will find:
Gatorland
Multiple places for doing swamp tours
Lion Country Safari (maybe @2 hours south) - Drive through place with African animals roaming freely
Wild Florida Drive through park
 















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