Programs

Corkscrew Swamp Walks

New dates just added! Have you ever wanted to explore Corkscrew's old-growth cypress forest, beyond the boardwalk on a swamp walk? Well, now is your chance!

On this educational adventure, you can experience Corkscrew in a whole new way and visit a part of this pristine ancient cypress swamp and sanctuary that few have seen before. You have the option of either the Beginner Swamp Walk, or an Advanced Swamp Walk which is tailored towards experienced participants.

For the Beginner Swamp Walks, we will be walking up to 1.5 miles total, not all of that will be in the water, though. Depending on water levels, we will either travel by vehicle to a remote part of the Sanctuary and walk out in our wet prairie into the cypress, or we will walk on the boardwalk out to our cypress forest where water might exceed 3 feet in depth, on uneven terrain. Water levels are deeper in the fall and usually much shallower in the spring. We walk slowly in the water for about one half mile and two hours of the program.

For the Advanced Swamp Walks, we will travel by vehicle to a remote part of the Sanctuary from where we will be walking from 1 to 1.5 miles on the ground and in the water before either returning to the vehicle or climbing onto the boardwalk at the end of our wet walk. This walk is more demanding for energy and agility as more terrain will be traversed for 4 hours of walking. Water levels in some areas where we will be walking may exceed 3 feet in depth in the fall but will likely will be shallower in the spring. Locations for the Advanced Swamp Walk may vary depending on water levels, please contact corkscrewtours@audubon.org for more details.

You will explore our cypress forest with your guides, who will teach you about our watershed, the forest, and the importance of the many old-growth bald cypress trees, plants such as rare orchids, other wildflowers, shrubs and trees, bromeliads and ferns, birds and other wildlife. We will have a look at some of the aquatic wildlife as well.

The water level early in the winter is usually knee deep for most of the swamp walk with some deeper areas. The swamp with deep water is especially beautiful! We will be on an uneven surface with some roots, branches and logs to navigate through and around. By February and March the water levels usually drop some, this year though we had quite a bit of rain in January and February which have kept our water levels fairly high so far, by the end of March though the water level is likely to drip by a foot or more though that depends on if we get any more supstatial rainfall amounts.

Participants must be physically able to walk on uneven and sometimes difficult surfaces through water, step and/or climb over logs and branches, and be able to climb a ladder back onto the boardwalk or onto a vehicle. All participants must sign a liability waiver, and must be at least 18 years of age to participate in the Advanced Walks and at least 10 years of age to participate in the Beginner Walks.

Corkscrew Beginner Swamp Walk will start at 9:30 a.m. and finish at 12:30 p.m.

We are offering this tour on the following upcoming dates:

July 12, 2019

Corkscrew Advanced Swamp Walks will start at 9:30 a.m. and finish at 3:00 p.m.

We are offering this tour on the following upcoming dates:

Cost:

Beginner Swamp Walks:

$85 for Adult Non-members
$60 for Child ages 10 - 18
$80 Members of National Audubon Society
$70 Friends of Corkscrew Swamp Members

Advanced Swamp Walks:

$150 for Adult Non-members
$140 Members of National Audubon Society
$125 Friends of Corkscrew Swamp Members

Participant limit: 10

Registration & Payment:

Corkscrew Beginner Swamp Walks: Register via Eventbrite. Select the desired date.

Corkscrew Advanced Swamp Walks: Register via Eventbrite. Select the desired date.

Tours meet at Corkscrew's Blair Audubon Center. Check in with the admissions desk and you must show your registration (in-print or on your phone). Meet your tour guide in the Visitor Center at least 15 minutes prior to the tour.

What to Wear: