Barrier Island Nature Trail

At Mizell-Johnson State Park (formerly John U. Lloyd Beach State Park), the Barrier Island Nature Trail is a simple introduction to habitats along a barrier island just south of Fort Lauderdale.

An easy half-mile interpretive nature trail, it’s a nice introduction to beach plants versus invasive species and to barrier island habitats, a break from being out in the sun all day.

Whiskey Creek separates the trail from the oceanfront

Resources

South Florida Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

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Overview

Location: Dania Beach
Length: 0.5 mile loop
Trailhead: 26.068617, -80.112433
Address: 6503 N Ocean Dr, Dania Beach
Fees: $6 per vehicle
Restroom: At the parking area
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 954-923-2833

Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs permitted but not on beach.

During turtle nesting and hatching season, volunteers offer nighttime walks on the beach, call the park for details.

Directions

From Interstate 95 exit 21 drive east on Sheridan St to North A1A. Turn left and continue 1.5 miles to the park entrance.

Hike

The Barrier Island Trail is a natural footpath through a coastal hammock altered by invasive species such as Australian pines, Brazilian pepper, and melaleuca.

A large strangler fig

In the spots where the original hammock of strangler fig, wild coffee, myrsine, and sea grapes still shades the trail, the vegetation crowds in close.

Native tropical trees have an understory of a fern not usually found in Florida

At 0.1 mile there is a shortcut across the loop to provide a shorter walk. Stay on the outer loop for the full walk or do a figure-8.

Sparse sea grapes over the footpath

Turn right and duck under the sea grapes to reach a mangrove-lined canal, or turn left to walk north along the marsh.

Interpretive marker along the mangrove-lined canal

The trail turns back to the south to complete the loop. Along the marsh, you can hear the sound of the surf breaking behind the mangroves.

Cross the bridge over Whiskey Creek out to the beach for a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean.

The beach was once part of the route of the Barefoot Mailman, who walked from Lake Worth to Miami in the 1880s to deliver the mail, and makes a nice beach walk itself. It is 2.5 miles long.