Chapel Trail Nature Preserve

I can’t believe I’ve lived right down the street from this place for 4 years and just recently found out about it. I’m sure glad I did because it’s a very serene place and I’ve gone back a few times just to unplug and breath in the calmness of the place. It’s not very big but big enough to feel like your escaping the hustle and bustle of life.
Each time I’ve gone back it’s been different in the sense that one time I hardly seen any animals yet on one visit I seen lots of movement around me of different birds, turtles, frogs and even lots of iguanas. I’ve yet to see any alligators but I think they are here. I plan on taking advantage of this lil place while I live in the area because it’s very relaxing and also I can do some walking on the bridge trail that envelopes the area. A definite place to check out if your ever in the area. Canoes are available to rent but must be reserved in advance.

This is a great little nature preserve for those who aren’t big on the outdoors or don’t enjoy walking much. It gives you some exposure to a natural setting, without being a full-​out swamp, with muddy trails, large alligators and stifling heat while walking long trails, so it makes for a good introduction. As one of the websites states, this is «an easy-​to-​reach sampler of the flora and fauna found throughout the greater Everglades ecosystems of Southeast Florida.»
This nature preserve is located in Pembroke Pines and is 450 acres. It was established in the 90s and is home to much wildlife. There is a 1,650-foot long boardwalk, which is less than a mile long, round trip. The boardwalk zigzags through open water, with signs detailing some of the wildlife and flora you may see. As you head over the open waters, look down and you’ll see lots of softshell turtles swimming by, in addition to gars, cichlids, and largemouth bass.
If you’re not much of a walker, you also have the option of exploring the park by canoe. Their canoe rental prices are the cheapest I have seen yet ($ 7.00/hour or $ 15.00÷4 hours). You can also rent for a full day for $ 25.00. They only rent on Saturdays though, so keep that in mind, and you must call to reserve. Birds fly overhead constantly, and you can see many wading birds, so exploring via canoe might be a better choice, as you can see spots and wildlife that you could not see from the boardwalk. I hope to return and canoe the preserve, while hopefully capturing some more wildlife with my camera, in the process.

This is one of the nicest nature preserves I have found in Florida. The boardwalk over the marsh is quite long (at least half a mile), and lots of small informational signs are posted on the railings. I was the only person here for a couple of hours on a Saturday morning. I saw 9 cute purple swamphens (not gallinules), which have been thriving in the Pembroke Pines area.