Home  >  Florida  >  Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, Florida Parks and Beaches

Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida offers 23 miles of white sand beaches with turquoise waters, including Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Deefield Beach, North Beach, South Beach, Hollywood Beach and Pompano Beach:

NORTH & SOUTH BEACH:    Stroll, jog, or rollerblade along Fort Lauderdale, Florida's palm tree fringed, brick-lined beachfront promenade. Pass by the world famous Elbo Room, site of the 1960's "Where the Boys Are" movie starring George Hamilton and Connie Francis.

HOLLYWOOD BEACH:  Bicycle, run or walk along Hollywood's 2 1/2 mile oceanfront Broadwalk which parallels the beach.

POMPANO BEACH:  Enjoy Pompano Beach's three-and-a-half mile beach, a favorite spot for families featuring playgrounds on the beach, fine seafood, and family style festivities. Named after the saltwater fish abundantly found in the warm Atlantic waters, Pompano is home to an annual Pompano Seafood festival and Fishing Rodeo.

LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA:  In the charming, half a square mile seaside village of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, you'll find a popular fishing pier where pelicans fly overhead. Dive and snorkel from shore along the three-tiered reef system.

DEERFIELD BEACH:  Enjoy the sunrise on beautiful Deerfield Beach, Broward County's award-winning, cove-like beaches and home of the Power Boat races each summer.

In addition to exceptional beaches, significant Fort Lauderdale, Florida parks dot the landscape.  The great Everglades National Park borders Fort Lauderdale, Florida to the west, and the city has sizable urban parks such as Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, John Lloyd Beach State Park, and West Lake Park.

Be sure to check out Fort Lauderdale, Florida vacation rentals by owner houses, villas and condos for luxurious, yet affordable accomodations - many times less than the cost of a cramped, stuffy, less-than-clean hotel room.

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA PARKS:

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
Main entrance SR 9336 from US 1 at Florida City
Shark Valley and Everglades City entrances off of US 41
Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida parks
239.695.3311

This national treasure of 1.5 million acres of preserved subtropical wilderness is within easy driving distance of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  The Everglades is essentially a slow-moving fresh-water river, and half of the park is comprised of water.  Cape Sable is the southernmost tip of the U.S. mainland.  From Cape Sable the park extends 45 miles north along the Gulf of Mexico and 30 miles east, including Florida Bay.

The park is home to more than 350 species of birds, alligators,crocodiles, snakes, manatees,dolphins, sea turtles and more.  Four visitor centers offer information that can enhance a visit to the park:

Ernest Coe Visitor Center
40001 SR 9336
305.242.7700

Flamingo Visitor Center
38 mi. SW of the Ernest Coe Visitor Center on SR 9336, with a marina opening onto Florida Bay
239.695.2945

Gulf Coast Visitor Center
Everglades City
239.695.3311

Royal Palm Visitor Center
4 mi. inside park on main park road
305.242.7700

COST:  $10 per vehicle.  OPEN:  generally 8-5.Everglades National Park boat tours include Mangrove Wilderness Tour and Ten Thousand Island Tour.  COST:  $25/$16 adult; $12.50/$8 child respectively.  OPEN:  Daily intervals 8:30 - 5.  Numerous airboat tour operators are accessed along US 41.  Self-guiding bicycle, kayak and canoe trips originate in Flamingo; phone 239.695.3101. 

HUGH TAYLOR BIRCH STATE RECREATION AREA
3109 East Sunrise Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, Florida parks
954-564-4521

This beautiful 180-acre Fort Lauderdale, Florida park along the oceanfront preserves a freshwater lagoon system of mangroves and offers picnicking, fishing, beaching, hiking, biking, camping, swimming and canoeing.  COST:  Entry fee.  OPEN:  Daily 8 - sunset.

JOHN U. LLOYD BEACH STATE RECREATION AREA
6503 N. Ocean Drive
Dania Beach, Florida
Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida parks
954.923.2833
   
This nearby Fort Lauderdale, Florida park has a pine-shaded beach, a jetty fishing pier, a marina, nature trails, and canoeing. This is a great spot to watch cruise ships entering and departing Port Everglades. COST: $4 per vehicle. OPEN: Daily 8-sunset. 
 

SAWGRASS RECREATION PARK
U.S. 27 north of I-595
Fort Lauderdale, Florida parks
954.426.2474

Fishing guides and airboat rides are available at this Fort Lauderdale, Florida park.  You'll see all sorts of plants and wildlife from birds and alligators to turtles, snakes, and fish. Included in the entrance fee along with the airboat ride is admission to an Everglades nature exhibit, a native Seminole village, and exhibits about alligators, other reptiles, and birds of prey. A souvenir and gift shop, food service, and an RV park with hookups are also at this Fort Lauderdale, Florida park. COST: $19.50 adult, $17.55 children ages 4-12. OPEN:      Daily 9-5. 
 
 
WEST LAKE PARK
1200 Sheridan Street
Hollywood, Florida
Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida parks
954.926.2410

Comprising 1,500 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway, West Lake Park is one of Florida's largest urban nature facilities. Rent a canoe, kayak, or boat, or take the 40-minute environmental boat tour. Sightsee endangered species along the boardwalk through the mangrove swamp, and climb a 65-foot observation tower. More than $1 million in exhibits are on display at the Anne Kolb Nature Center, including interactive bird-call displays, and a trilevel aquarium. Allow 1 hour minimum for this Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida park.  COST: $1. OPEN: Daily 8-6.