Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is definitely high up on my list of great things to do near Orlando! I have brought so many visitors here and I will probably continue to do so. If you are hoping to see some great Florida wildlife (including alligators!), then the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is just the place for you. There is also the added bonus that it is a drive-through, so it is great for those hot days or if someone in your group isn’t able to walk long distances.
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is located to the north of Downtown Orlando and while it is a bit of a drive, about 40 minutes from Downtown, I think it is worth it! Although big warning here that it is ONLY open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7am-3pm. So plan accordingly as it does have pretty limited operating hours. However, it is free and lots of fun. Plan to spend at least 2 hours on the drive, and possibly more depending on how much you stop and how many other cars are on the trail. The drive is 11 miles and the speed limit is 10mph. It is a one-way drive and once you are inside there really isn’t any way to get out quicker. So make sure you have plenty of time to enjoy the park and you aren’t feeling rushed driving through.
You are able to drive the whole thing and you never have to get out of your car if you don’t want to. There are several pull-off spots throughout the drive, so you can get out to stretch your legs and explore more of the area on foot. There are also restrooms at the beginning, and about halfway through the drive. When you first pull in, you will likely be greeted by a volunteer that will provide you a map and more information about the drive. There is an audio tour available online that you can play as you are driving through. The audio tour does a great job of talking about the area and even educates about some of the animals you may encounter on your drive.
We have always had good luck spotting lots of birds and alligators every time we have gone. It does seem like the alligators are a bit harder to spot on the really hot days as they are almost always in the water (you will have to look closely to spot their snout or eyes.) If you are really going to see alligators, maybe choose a day that isn’t extremely hot so you may have a chance of seeing one out of the water. In addition to birds and alligators, we have also spotted turtles, rabbits, and snakes. Not only do you get to see lots of wildlife, but you can also take a look at some Florida scenery from the comfort of your car.
This activity has always been a crowd-pleaser, but definitely be aware of the limited operating hours and the length of the drive. I will say that most people do get a bit bored by the end of the 11 mile journey, as you end up looking at the same things for 2+ hours, but the audio guide really helps and I also recommend bringing some drinks and snacks along for the trip. There is something pretty special about snacking while admiring the Florida wildlife. There are picnic tables on the drive where you could also stop for a meal, but the comfort of this would greatly depend on how hot it is outside.
This experience is truly fantastic, and it is free and you can stay in your airconditioned car the whole time. It is a great option if you have anyone with limited mobility as you can easily see everything from your car. I would say that the right side of the car likely has the best view and more of the wildlife may be visible from that side. However, you will see plenty of wildlife on both sides throughout your drive. I highly recommend adding the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive to your schedule if you are hoping to experience the wild side of Florida and spot a few alligators too! This is one of my favorite things to do with visitors. If you are looking for more of an adventure, I also thoroughly enjoyed the airboat tour and you can also see lots of Florida wildlife on those. There are quite a few airboat tours available to the south of Orlando if you are hoping to hop on one!
Have you ever been on Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive? Let me know about your experience in the comments! Happy travels! ~Colette
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You can find out even more and take a look at the audio tour for the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive here!
