Florida Hikes

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

Biking Orlando Wetlands Park

Bike ride at Orlando Wetlands

One of the best ways to explore Orlando Wetlands is by bike. You can see a lot more than you do on foot. John recounts his journey around the park on his first bicycle trip in many months.

Article by ()

Rebranding of Orlando Wetlands Park to Orlando Wetlands occurred in early 2025.

After six weeks of light duty (and no bicycling, doctor’s orders) came to a close, I was ready to get back on the bike.

Open marsh at Orlando Wetlands Park
One of many perfect panoramas on my bike trip at Orlando Wetlands Park

Sandy suggested that I ride the levees of Orlando Wetlands Park. I’ve hiked on the Florida Trail side of the park, but had never ventured past the picnic area on the levee side.

With a nice map mounted in my bike in my old map case, I began my exploration of the park.

Map on bike Having a map mounted on my bike let me tackle a different route from Sandy for trail research

At the first intersection, I joined several fellow birders snapping photos of a flock of roseate spoonbills.

Roseate spoonbills feeding It’s not every day you see a flock of roseate spoonbills

I hadn’t ridden much farther when it became very apparent why Sandy suggested I take my good camera that takes panoramic shots: Lake Searcy and its wetlands met the sky.

As I rode the loop, the wide open spaces were beautiful, with blue sky reflecting in the marshes.

Lake Searcy Looking across Lake Searcy

Birds and birders were everywhere. I saw limpkins, blue herons, kingfishers, wood storks, and great egrets.

Across one stretch of open water, I could see a dozen or so wood storks in the trees on its edge. As I rode closer, I noticed that they were all flying away from the trees, carrying nesting materials.

Wood storks building nests Wood storks in flight gathering nesting material

I first saw alligators out in the marshes, then along the shoreline. The farther from trailhead, the larger and the closer to where I was riding they seemed to be.

Keeping a watchful eye to my route, I spotted an eight- or nine-footer walking out of the water and heading across the trail about ten feet from me.

Alligators in the water along Alligator Alley Alligators in the water along Alligator Alley

We saw each other about the same time. I hit the brakes, and he slid backwards, half in the water.

After a short wait I could see that he wasn’t going anywhere, so I quickly passed by on the far side of the levee.

Alligator resting at Orlando Wetlands The alligator that thought better of crossing the trail

I was thinking of the great story that could have happened. I’d be bragging about it for years. “Yeah, those are the teeth marks where the gator grabbed the bike as I went by.”

Thankfully, there was no need for such a story.

Young alligator in woods Young alligator at the next observation deck

Stopping at an observation deck, I joined a few fellow cyclists who had already spotted all the wildlife before I arrived. A young four-foot gator looked like he was posing for photos.

Red rat snake in the water Red rat snake in the water

A banded water snake and a red rat snake swam in the man-made boils along with a crawfish. A ribbon snake was draped through a nearby tree.

inflow marsh Marshes at the southwest corner of the cells

In 11 miles of levee riding I took some beautiful panoramic photos, saw a lot of birds and felt good about riding again.

Trail Map

Orlando Wetlands Trail Map
A variety of potential loops at Orlando Wetlands. Follow the outer blue route with some inner loops mixed in for the longest bike trip.

Explore the Trails

John Keatley
Latest posts by John Keatley (see all)
Category: , , Tag: ,