A birder’s delight, the wild landscapes at Winding Waters Natural Area are the result of extensive efforts to restore natural wetland habitats.
Much of the land on the western edge of the Palm Beaches had been drained for agricultural use long before the property became a park.
Now, countless species of birds have made the open waters, marshes, and restored wet prairies their own.
Birding is fabulous along the marshesAs always, Palm Beach County provides an accessible route. A half mile sidewalk leads to an observation platform over the water.
A longer loop trail circles the marshy shoreline, and a floating launch allows visitors to explore the center of the park on a kayak.
Accessible walkwayResources
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Overview
Location: West Palm Beach
Length: 4.2 miles
Trailhead: 26.778111, -80.124167
Address: Dyer Blvd, West Palm Beach
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Palm Beach County
Phone: 561-233-2400
Open sunrise to sunset. No pets allowed.
Directions
Exit Interstate 95 at Blue Heron Blvd north of West Palm Beach. Head west on Blue Heron Blvd for 0.4 mile, then turn left onto Military Trail. In 0.4 mile, turn right onto Dyer Blvd. Continue straight for 0.9 mile to the park entrance on the left.
Hike
Starting at the parking area, follow an accessible concrete sidewalk as it leads past the kayak launch to cross a canal on a sturdy wooden bridge.
On the other side, a trail with yellow markers splits off south, tracing along the water’s edge.
Continue straight on the sidewalk. The pathway bends southward before entering an upland forest.
Concrete pathwaySmall benches flank the trail as it winds through a grassy landscape of pines and cabbage palms.
Reaching a half mile, the walkway ends at an observation platform overlooking the restored wetlands, connected at each end by a bridge.
Wetland overlookBefore the platform bridge, turn right at a yellow blazed post for the main loop trail as it rounds a corner on a sliver of grassy land between the forest and water.
Herons wade in the shallows as the calls of coots, limpkins, red winged blackbirds, and grackles fill the air with sound.
American cootsA few covered benches along the route provide refuge from inclement weather, also serving as rest stops to sit and watch the abundant wildlife.
Each shelter has an accompanying kiosk with a trail map and information about the park.
Covered benchReach a fork in the trail at 2.8 miles. One path continues alongside the wetlands.
The other cuts through a pine flatwoods habitat undergoing restoration after a long period of fire suppression.
Regular prescribed burns have encouraged a more natural understory of saw palmetto, staggerbush and various grasses.
Upland portion of the trailThe upland spur ends at the main loop near the observation platform bridge. Continue following yellow markers around the northern end of the wetlands.
Anhingas rest on the branches of numerous cypress trees that have been planted along the shore.
Near the final bend, a bench on a high spot offers one last chance to rest at the water’s edge before the loop concludes next to the kayak launch.
Planted cypressTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
A walk through Winding Waters Natural Area
Nearby Adventures
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