Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park
Florida’s third-largest state park spans over 45,000 acres and 100 miles of shoreline, featuring diverse habitats like mangroves, marshes, scrub, and pine flatwoods. The park’s shallow, mangrove fringed waters are best explored by kayak or canoe along two paddle trails, perfect for spotting wading birds, manatees, dolphins, and other wildlife. Hikers and birdwatchers can enjoy three marked upland trails, while the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) provides a visitor center, guided hikes, and six miles of trails. Visitors can also explore the more remote wilderness areas of the park, but should bring a map, compass, and ample water, as no restrooms or drinking water are available in these areas. For birding we recommend two locations, Old Datsun Trail or North Cape Flats Trail, just 15 minutes apart by car.
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Sites At This Location
Old Datsun Trail
In addition to two isolated wetlands, this site offers pine flatwoods mixed with oak/cabbage palm hammocks in an interesting example of habitat succession from agricultural fields to wild lands. A 2 mile loop trail gives you the chance to find White-eyed Vireos, Eastern Screech-owls and Great Horned Owls, and Red-shouldered Hawks in the uplands. Be sure to walk the well-marked spur trails to the wetlands for views of Green Herons, Wood Storks and White and Glossy Ibises. Watch for the occasional Swallow-tailed Kite overhead. A visit at dusk gives the opportunity to look and listen for Chuck-will’s-widows.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
Managing Agency
FL Dept. of Environmental Protection, Div. of Recreation and Parks
Operational Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset
Size: 97 acres
North Cape Flats Trail
This site offers a 1.0-mile trail through predominately pine flatwoods that ends at Charlotte Harbor, where coastal berm and mudflats provide an end-of-hike treat. Plan your walk so that you arrive at low tide. As you walk through the flatwoods listen and look for Red-headed Woodpeckers, Loggerhead Shrike and Eastern Towhee. The flatwoods give way to the harbor overlook, where you will see species like American Oystercatcher and White Ibis. Plovers, including Wilson’s, Black-bellied and Semipalmated, roam the flats. Marbled Godwits are a possibility, and winter is a good time to see American White Pelicans.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
Managing Agency
FL Dept. of Environmental Protection, Div. of Recreation and Parks
Operational Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Size: 46 acres
