Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

About

Explore 145,000 acres of wetlands on foot, bike, or canoe through a sprawling refuge filled with alligators, birds, and native wildlife. The Cypress Swamp Boardwalk gets you up close to the landscape, while open trails wind around canals where you'll spot everything from herons to the occasional bobcat. Your kids can bring their camera and plan to spend hours discovering different paths. This works for any age and requires no registration or experience. Bring plenty of water and comfortable shoes, and expect each visit to feel different depending on wildlife activity and water levels. Dogs are welcome on most trails but not the boardwalk. It's genuinely free outdoor exploration in a peaceful setting that beats a typical park.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is a United States federal agency dedicated to the conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. They manage national wildlife refuges, protect endangered species, ma

Programs (4)

• Find an Education Program

  Homeschool Program
  · Morning, Evening· Paid

  Your kids will get to explore one of the biggest urban wildlife refuges in the country right here in our backyard -- we're talking 145,000 acres of actual nature where they can disconnect from screens and really reconnect with the outdoors. The education programs are designed for kids starting at age 4 and up, so whether your little one is just getting curious about animals and nature or your older kid wants to dive deeper, there's something for them. Programs run at both morning and evening times, which is super convenient if you're trying to work around school or other activities. Best part? It's incredibly affordable at just $1 a month, so it's a no-brainer for getting your family outside and learning something real. You'll head to their visitor center on Lee Road in Boynton Beach, and honestly, this is the kind of place where kids actually want to spend time because they're too busy discovering cool stuff to realize they're learning.

• Education Programs

  Homeschool Program
  · Morning, Evening· Paid

  The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge runs education programs that get kids ages 4 and up out into one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the country—over 145,000 acres where children can explore nature and learn about the plants and animals that live there. Programs are offered during morning and evening times, so there's usually something that fits your schedule. It's an amazing way to get your kids unplugged from screens and reconnecting with the outdoors, and at just $1 per month, it's incredibly affordable. The refuge is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, so you know the education is solid and focused on real conservation and wildlife protection. Fair warning though—the Loxahatchee Road area is under construction through early 2027, so you'll want to map out your route carefully before heading out there.

• Featured Education Programs

  Homeschool Program
  · Morning, Evening· Paid

  Your kids will get out into one of the biggest urban wildlife refuges in the country—we're talking over 145,000 acres of actual nature—and learn about the plants, animals, and habitats that live there. The programs are designed for kids starting around age 4 and up, so you can bring your little ones to explore and reconnect with the outdoors without all the usual screen time stress. They offer programs at different times throughout the day (both morning and evening options), which is super helpful if you're juggling schedules. The best part? It's only a dollar per month, so it's genuinely affordable to get your kids outside and learning something real.

• National Education Programs

  Homeschool Program
  · Morning, Evening· Paid

  Your kids will get to explore one of the biggest urban wildlife refuges in the country—145,000 acres of natural Florida right in your backyard—through hands-on education programs run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These programs are designed for kids ages 4 and up and focus on connecting children with wildlife and nature in a way that actually sticks with them. The refuge offers programs during both morning and evening times, so you can find a slot that works with your family's schedule. Best of all, it's incredibly affordable at just a dollar per month, which honestly feels like a steal for getting your kids outside and learning about conservation from the real experts. Whether your child is a total nature lover or you're just looking for something meaningful to do on a weekend, this is the kind of place where kids genuinely disconnect from screens and reconnect with the world around them.