CALL OF THE WILD

True Nature

Hike, kayak or take an airboat to discover Central Florida’s natural world of wonders.

BY AMY GREEN

Boggy Creek Airboat Ride While many tourists arrive in Orlando eager to see Mickey Mouse, others come to Central Florida seeking out other animals—those found in nature. And not far from Orlando are forests, wetlands and beaches brimming with wildlife. An airboat ride is one way to get to the shallow, marshy wetlands where alligators sunbathe all day. Boggy Creek Airboat Rides (www.bcairboats.com) has been around for more than a decade, offering a few types of guided tours. According to Capt. Charles Body, the best time to go is during the cooler months and at night, when the nocturnal animals are most active. You may also see deer, pigs, raccoons and a variety of birds.

Roseate Spoonbill For bird watching, visit Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (www.fws.gov/merrittisland), a wetlands nature preserve about 40 miles from Orlando. Depending on the season, you may see herons, egrets and bald eagles. At Ocala National Forest (www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida), among the state’s largest national forests, don your hiking boots or hop in a canoe for a chance to see an endangered red-cockaded woodpecker or scrub jays. (The closest recreation area is Alexander Springs, about an hour from Orlando.)

During the winter, hundreds of manatees head for the warm, crystal-clear waters of Blue Spring State Park (www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring). Watch as these gentle mammals swim and graze lazily. You can also camp, boat, fi sh—and see deer, turkey, alligators and birds of all kinds.

Blue Spring State Park On your next trip to Orlando, make sure to check out these areas that show off the city’s real wild side.

Get Active

Do you prefer hiking, kayaking or horseback riding? Find the park that best suits your wildlife-viewing needs.

If you want to mix seeing wildlife with burning some calories, Norm Leduc of the Orlando Adventure Club (www.orlandoadventureclub.com) recommends visiting Blue Spring State Park, Wekiwa Springs State Park and DeLeon Springs State Park.

Wekiwa offers the best kayaking and canoeing trips, which can be arranged through Wekiwa Springs State Park Nature Adventures (www.anoewekiva.com). “It’s just a beauty,” Leduc says of Wekiwa. “You’ll see a lot of wildlife such as alligators, herons and river otters.”

For horseback riding, trot over to Rock Springs Riding Ranch (www.rsrranch.com) and saddle up for an unforgettable guided trail ride through Rock Springs Run State Preserve.

And, after working up an appetite hiking or canoeing at DeLeon Springs State Park, grab a seat at The Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant, where the tables are equipped with griddles on which diners can make their own pancakes (served all day).

For more info on Florida’s state parks, visit www.floridastateparks.org.