Renowned for its sea turtle rescue and research programs, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center provides an immersive family experience to learn about South Florida habitats and wildlife.
The main complex features numerous interpretive displays, several large aquariums, and public access to laboratories.
Educational programs are offered throughout the week, where employees and volunteers are delighted to answer questions about the center and its inhabitants.
Sea turtle hatchlingsTo the south of the nature center, an impressive boardwalk leads visitors through a tropical hardwood hammock and mangrove forest to Jacob’s Outlook.
The forty-foot tower has composite decking and ramps to make it accessible by wheelchair. The boardwalk also serves as an access point to adjoining Red Reef Park.
On the north end, the Ashley Trail presents a network of sandy pathways that wind across a flower-filled butterfly garden to a chickee hut alongside the Intracoastal Waterway.
Red Reef Park entranceResources
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Overview
Location: Boca Raton
Length: 0.8 miles
Trailhead: 26.366083, -80.069778
Address: 1801 N. Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton
Fees: Free at the nature center, $3 an hour at Red Reef Park
Restrooms: at the nature center.
Land manager: City of Boca Raton
Phone: 561-544-8605
Trails and boardwalk open daily 7:00 AM – sunset. Nature Center open Mon 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Tues – Sun: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Restrooms are not available when Nature Center is closed. No pets allowed.
If the parking lot is full, the trails and Nature Center can be accessed from Red Reef Park to the south.
Directions
From Interstate 95, head east on W Palmetto Park Rd for 2.8 miles before turning left onto N Ocean Blvd. In 1.1 miles, the entrance will be on the left side of the road.
Hike
Beginning at the nature center south parking lot, follow a concrete sidewalk around the left side of the building to a raised boardwalk with composite decking.
Turn right to begin the loop portion of the walkway, winding through a dense hammock of cabbage palms, gumbo limbo, strangler figs, and pigeon plum trees.
Tropical hammockTurn right at the end of the loop, following the path southward for a few hundred feet to a side trail leading out towards the Intracoastal Waterway.
A healthy forest of mangroves rises from a brackish swamp, forming a tunnel over the walkway.
It partially obscures the view at the end where a pair of benches sit in dappled shade.
Among the mangrovesReturning to the main boardwalk, turn right to explore a short length stretching to Red Reef Park before heading back to the loop and observation tower.
Jacob’s Outlook is hard to miss, standing tall above the forest with two options to ascend.
A staircase at one end goes straight up, while a series of ramps on the other side slowly ascend to the top of the structure, providing a panoramic view of the area.
View from the towerFrom the tower, head north on the boardwalk towards the nature center, following a sidewalk to an arbor at the Ashley Trail.
A mix of native plants cover the forest floor alongside a sunny space where pollinators are attracted to arrangements of flowering vegetation.
Trailside magnifying glasses allow visitors to get an up-close look at leaves and other interesting items found along the path.
Butterfly gardenAt the end of the loop, the trail descends to a chickee hut alongside a picturesque view of mangrove-lined azure waters.
From this point, the trail turns back towards the parking area, using an accessible mat to climb away from the shoreline, passing displays and an amphitheater along the way.
Chickee hutIf the nature center is open, step inside to check out the educational kiosks and animal exhibits.
Head through the lobby to a set of boardwalks and ramps that lead to aquariums, overhead views of labs, and an enclosure with gopher tortoises.
Marine aquariumTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
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