Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is an amazing place to visit as a local, and an even better place to bring out-of-town guests! This one way, 11-mile drive is home to alligators, bobcats, and over 350 species of birds! The best part? This is a FREE and COVID-19 safe activity!
About 40 minutes from ORO, the entrance to the drive is located at 2850 Lust Road, Apopka, FL. The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is open weekends (Friday though Sunday) and major federal holidays. The speed limit is only 10mph and takes about 2-3 hours to complete the drive, depending on how many stops you take. We recommend bringing your camera, some snacks, and even some binoculars if you have them!
Lake Apopka is Florida’s second largest lake at 48.4 square miles. The drive takes place on the North Shore property, where former farmland has been restored to include marsh and flood plains. This area has turned into a well-known bird-watching paradise. Great Blue Herons, Angina, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egrets, and even Osprey are common sights along the drive. The variety of species is unbelievable. On Christmas Day in 1998, 178 different species were identified along the drive.
This property is the perfect place to bring out-of-town guests to see the American Alligator in the wild. They are often seen along the banks of the canals, basking in the afternoon sun. Remember, these are wild animals, so give them plenty of room and do not feed them! Alligators become more active in April and May when the breeding season starts, and you may even spot them crossing the road.
This wildlife paradise is just waiting to be explored. You will not regret an afternoon spent along the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive! For a Birding Checklist, see CLICK HERE.
Here is a sneak-peak of what you can see on your Apopka Wildlife Drive adventure!
