Orlando Wetlands Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Orlando Wetlands Park is a 1,650-acre wildlife preserve located in Christmas, Florida.
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Summary
It was established in 1986 to improve the quality of reclaimed water and provide a habitat for wetland birds and other wildlife. The park is open to the public and is free to visit.
There are several reasons to visit Orlando Wetlands Park. It offers visitors a chance to see a variety of wildlife, including over 220 bird species, reptiles, and mammals. There are also several hiking and biking trails, as well as picnic areas and a playground. Additionally, the park serves as a water treatment facility and visitors can learn about the process of water reclamation and its importance to the environment.
Some specific points of interest to see in the park include the main pond, which is a popular spot for bird-watching, and the Marsh Rabbit Run trail, which offers scenic views of wetlands, cypress trees, and wildlife. The park also has several observation towers and boardwalks, which provide excellent vantage points for viewing wildlife.
Interesting facts about the area include that the park was once a cattle ranch before being converted into a wetland treatment facility. The park is also home to a population of American alligators, which can be seen throughout the park.
The best time of year to visit Orlando Wetlands Park is during the winter months when the weather is mild and many migratory birds are present. However, the park is open year-round and offers different views of the wetlands depending on the season. Visitors are encouraged to check the park's website for current hours and information before visiting.
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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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