Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Travel East on Immokalee Road about 15 miles from I-75 and you’ll come across the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. If you’re a bird watcher or just a lover of nature, then this is a place you need to visit. Walk along the 2.25 mile boardwalk and you’ll eventually reach the largest forest of ancient bald cypress in North America. Related to the redwoods, these trees grow to 130 feet and can be 25 feet wide. Draped in mosses, air plants and orchids these trees make for great photographs when the light is right.
The boardwalk curves through two lettuce lakes. These shallow bowls of water and vegetation are great feeding grounds for all types of wildlife. Close to 200 species of birds make their permanent or temporary home at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Egrets, ibis, herons and anhinga are regular tenants. Corkscrew is world-renowned for supporting the largest colony of nesting wood storks in the United States.
The water that runs through the santuary is actually a slow moving river that flows towards the Gulf of Mexico. The plants and trees help to filter the water.
The Blair Audubon Center is a new education center that has opened. It has six exhibits available including a multimedia presentation “Swamp Theatre”, a nature store and gallery. The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is owned and operated by the National Auduborn Society and is acclaimed as the their crown jewel.
The Sanctuary is open daily. April 11-September 30 from 7am-7:30pm. October 1 thru April 10 they are open from 7am-5:30pm. Located at 375 Sanctuary Road in Naples, call 239-348-9151 for more information.