Castellow Hammock Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Castellow Hammock Park is a nature preserve located in the state of Florida.


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Summary

The park is a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful natural scenery, wildlife, and recreational activities. There are several good reasons to visit the park, including hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking. Visitors can also take part in guided tours, educational programs, and special events throughout the year.

One of the main attractions in Castellow Hammock Park is the natural hammock, which is a unique ecosystem found only in Florida. The hammock is filled with a wide variety of trees, plants, and wildlife, including several endangered species. Visitors can also explore the park's wetlands, which are home to an abundance of bird species, including egrets, herons, and ibises.

Other points of interest in Castellow Hammock Park include the historic Seminole War-era Fort Lauderdale and the archaeological site of the Tequesta Indian village. The park is also home to several hiking trails that wind through the hammock and wetland areas.

Interesting facts about Castellow Hammock Park include its designation as a National Natural Landmark and its inclusion in the Florida State Park system. The park was also once a homestead and farm, with artifacts from the early settlers still visible today.

The best time of year to visit Castellow Hammock Park is in the cooler months of November through April, when temperatures are milder and there is less chance of rain. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and admission is free. Visitors are encouraged to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and plenty of water, as the park can be hot and humid during the summer months.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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