For an interesting twist on nightlife activities, register for evening nature walks. 

Some parks occasionally offer night hikes in forests, prairies, on shorelines and other intriguing outdoor spaces. You'll savor distinctive sights, scents and sounds of evenings in the wild.

It's a nice idea for a romantic date, fun with family and friends, or a solo excursion.

 

The fee for night hikes at Broward parks and natural areas is usually $5 a person. Early registration and reservations are often required for the events. Phone  the park you're interested in for information and registration.  Providing your own drinking water and insect repellent are recommended.

Parks also offer nature walks in the day.  Day hikes usually are free. Weekend and holiday park entry fees apply at some parks.

Night hikes in 2024 include these and others

• 8 p.m. April 5 Long Key Natural Area, 3501 SW 130th Ave., Davie, 954-357-8797, $5, reservations required 
• 7:30 p.m. April 12 Fern Forest, 201 Lyons Road S., Coconut Creek, 954-357-5198, $5, reservations required  
• 7 p.m. April 12 Miramar Pineland, 3600 S. University Drive, 954-357-8776, free entry, reservations recommended
• 8 p.m. April 20 Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise, 954-357-8868, $5, reservations required 
•  p.m. May 24 Long Key Natural Area, 3501 SW 130th Ave., Davie, 954-357-8797, $5, reservations required 
• 7:30 p.m. June 14 Fern Forest, 201 Lyons Road S., Coconut Creek, 954-357-5198, $5, reservations required  
• June 21 Long Key Natural Area, 3501 SW 130th Ave., Davie, 954-357-8797, $5, reservations required 
• 7:30 p.m. September 7 Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise, 954-357-8868, $5, reservations required 
• 5:30 p.m. November 23 Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise, 954-357-8868, $5, reservations required 
• 6 p.m. December 20 Military Trail Natural Area, 4600 Military Trail, Pompano, 954-357-8109, $5, reservations required  

For information on other nature walks, call each park, or refer to the parks website. Participating parks occasionally include these and others:

• Secret Woods, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach, 954-357-8884
  
• Fern Forest, 201 Lyons Road S., Coconut Creek, 954-357-5198
• Long Key Natural Area, 3501 SW 130th Ave., Davie, 954-357-8797
• Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub, 3299 NE Third Ave., Pompano Beach, 954-357-5100
• North Beach Park, 3601 N. Ocean Drive, Hollywood, 954-357-5187
• Miramar Pineland, 3600 S. University Drive, 954-357-8776
• Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise, 954-357-8868
• Deerfield Highlands Nature Preserve, 701 NE 41st St., Deerfield Beach, 954-357-5100

 

Previous events

• 7 p.m.  Friday January 26 Long Key Natural Area, 3501 SW 130th Ave., Davie, 954-357-8797, $5, reservations required
• 5:30 p.m. Friday February 2 Miramar Pineland, 3600 S. University Drive, 954-357-8776, $5, reservations recommended
• 7:30 p.m. February 2 Fern Forest, 201 Lyons Road S., Coconut Creek, 954-357-5198, $5, reservations required
• p.m. Friday February 16 Military Trail Natural Area, 4600 Military Trail, Pompano, 954-357-8109, $5, reservations required  
• 7 p.m. Saturday February 24 Long Key Natural Area, 3501 SW 130th Ave., Davie, 954-357-8797, $5, reservations required 
• Saturday February 24 Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise, 954-357-8868 $5, reservations required  
• 6 p.m. Friday February 16 Military Trail Natural Area, 4600 Military Trail, Pompano, 954-357-8109, $5, reservations required  
• 7 p.m. Saturday February 24 Long Key Natural Area, 3501 SW 130th Ave., Davie, 954-357-8797, $5, reservations required 
• Saturday February 24 Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise, 954-357-8868 $5, reservations required 

DIY nature walks

South Florida offers natural treasures to enjoy:

• Fern Forest, features several nature paths, including its elevated boardwalk into cypress/maple swamp, 201 Lyons Road S., Coconut Creek, 954-357-5198,  feature Nature Trails & Free Entry at Fern Forest in North Broward
• Topeekeegee-Yugnee Park in Hollywood, includes tennis, picnic tables and a 2-mile paved path primarily around a lake for walking, running, biking and skateboarding, 3300 N. Park Road, 954-357-8811,  TY Park in Hollywood is lovely venue for outdoor exercise & relaxation
• Secret Woods, includes a boardwalk overlooking the New River, and assorted other nature walks, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach, 954-357-8884,  feature
  
• Quiet Waters Park, includes a butterfly garden and nature path, 401 S. Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach, 954-357-5100 
• Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, a lovely 2.5-mile length between waves rolling ashore and shops, hotels and restaurants,  feature
• Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk, a delightful stretch along the New River from about Southwest Fifth Street east toward Federal Highway, incorporating Esplanade Park,  feature

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Free & inexpensive things to do this weekend in South Florida

Other free and inexpensive nature events at parks and venues:

Entertainment calendar