Summary
Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is a 147,392-acre wildlife sanctuary located in southern Florida. The refuge is an important habitat for a variety of native species, including alligators, birds, and turtles. It is also home to the largest remaining tract of northern Everglades in the United States.
There are several good reasons to visit the refuge, including hiking, bird-watching, photography, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can take guided tours of the refuge to learn more about the area's history and ecology. Some of the main points of interest at the refuge include the Loxahatchee Observation Tower, the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk, and the Marsh Trail.
One interesting fact about the refuge is that it was established in 1951 as a way to protect the area's natural resources from development. Today, the refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is open to the public year-round.
The best time of year to visit the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. During this time, visitors can enjoy cooler temperatures and drier weather, making it easier to explore the refuge's trails and boardwalks. However, the refuge is open year-round and there are many opportunities to see wildlife and enjoy the natural beauty of the area throughout the year.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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