Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center is a 157-acre ecological preserve and educational facility located at 3501 SW 130th Avenue in western Davie, Florida. Established in 2008 and managed by the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division, the site protects an elevated limestone ridge that once formed a series of islands rising above the historic eastern Everglades marsh. For thousands of years, these high hammocks were inhabited by the Tequesta people and later used as camps and agricultural grounds by the Seminole Tribe and early 20th-century citrus pioneers. Today, travelers and South Florida residents visit Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center to walk shaded live oak hammocks, observe wading birds across restored freshwater wetlands, and explore interactive archaeological and ecological displays inside the 10,000-square-foot visitor center.
What to Expect at Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center
The preserve is anchored by its LEED-certified Nature Center building, which overlooks a restored marshland habitat. Inside the Exhibit Hall, visitors encounter life-sized dioramas and museum-grade displays detailing nearly 4,000 years of human history on the Long Key ridge. Exhibits include Tequesta shell tools and pottery fragments recovered during archaeological excavations, a replica Seminole chickee hut explaining 19th-century trade and survival in the Everglades, and artifacts from early Davie homesteaders and citrus growers. A dedicated theater screens a short orientation film about the geological formation of Broward County’s ancient oolitic limestone ridges, while a classroom hosts nature programs and live native reptile displays.
Outside the center, a network of well-marked trails winds through distinct South Florida ecosystems. A half-mile paved nature trail loops through a dense coastal live oak hammock where strangler figs, wild coffee, coontie, and resurrection ferns thrive beneath a cool, interlocking canopy. Beyond the paved loop, shell-rock and sandy equestrian and hiking paths extend through restored wetland marshes, wet prairies, and remnants of a historical orange grove planted by early 1900s pioneers. Elevated boardwalks and covered observation decks border the water, providing vantage points for spotting wood storks, roseate spoonbills, green herons, red-shouldered hawks, softshell turtles, and American alligators.
- Live Oak Hammock Trail: A 0.5-mile paved, wheelchair-accessible loop shaded by centuries-old live oaks, gumbo limbo trees, and native bromeliads that keep temperatures noticeably cooler than the surrounding suburbs.
- Exhibit Hall & Theater: An indoor museum space showcasing Tequesta archaeological artifacts, Seminole history, interactive ecology displays, and an educational orientation film.
- Restored Wetland Marshes: Freshwater sloughs and seasonal ponds crossed by wooden bridges and wildlife viewing platforms frequented by herons, egrets, ibises, and basking turtles.
- Historical Orange Grove Remnants: Preserved citrus trees along the outer trail loop that recall Davie’s early 20th-century agricultural boom along the South New River Canal.
- Oak Hammock Hall & Veranda: A 2,400-square-foot banquet and assembly hall with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sweeping back patio overlooking the main marsh pond.
Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 3501 SW 130th Ave, Davie, FL 33330 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Western Davie / Flamingo Gardens Corridor |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Nature Center Exhibit Hall typically open 9:00 AM – 4:45 PM) |
| Admission / Price Range | Free admission and free on-site parking ($) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 2 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free surface parking lot with equestrian trailer spaces; Broward County Transit Route 2 along Flamingo Road (SW 124th Ave) |
| Official Website & Phone | Broward County Parks Official Page | +1 954-357-8797 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
To see the greatest concentration of wading birds and songbirds, arrive between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, especially during the dry winter and spring migration months from November through April. Morning visits also avoid afternoon summer thunderstorms and high midday humidity. By car, the preserve is easily reached via Interstate 595; take the Flamingo Road (State Road 823) exit south for roughly 2.5 miles, turn west onto SW 36th Street, and proceed north on SW 130th Avenue to the park entrance. The property offers a spacious free parking lot alongside a separate grassy staging area for horse trailers that links directly to Davie’s town-wide equestrian trail network. Note that to protect native wildlife and ground-nesting birds, pets, bicycles, and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the preserve trails.
Accessibility is a core strength of the facility: the Nature Center building, restrooms, water fountains, theater, observation veranda, and the primary 0.5-mile oak hammock loop are completely step-free and paved for wheelchairs and strollers. Secondary nature and equestrian loops consist of compacted shell-rock and natural sand that can become soft after heavy summer rains. Visitors can easily pair a morning walk at Long Key with Flamingo Gardens, a 60-acre botanical garden and Everglades wildlife sanctuary located directly adjacent to the east at 3750 S Flamingo Road. Other nearby stops within a 10-minute drive include Tree Tops Park, which offers paddleboating and canopy boardwalks, and Robbins Lodge Park, another scenic equestrian and nature park in rural Davie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours and best times to visit Long Key Natural Area?
Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center is open seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closing only on major county holidays such as Christmas Day. Early mornings between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM offer the coolest walking conditions and the highest wildlife activity around the wetland ponds.
How much does admission cost at Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center?
Admission to both the outdoor trail system and the indoor Nature Center Exhibit Hall is completely free of charge, even on weekends and holidays. On-site vehicle and horse trailer parking are also free, though fees apply for private event rentals of Oak Hammock Hall or specialized guided group programs.
How much time should I budget for a visit?
Most visitors spend between 1 and 2 hours exploring the site. That window allows roughly 30 to 40 minutes to view the indoor Tequesta and Seminole exhibits and watch the orientation film, plus 45 to 60 minutes to stroll the paved oak hammock loop and outer wetland trails.
Are the trails accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and families with young children?
Yes, the Nature Center building and the primary half-mile nature loop are fully ADA-compliant with smooth asphalt paths and level wooden boardwalks suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Benches are positioned at regular intervals along the shaded path, and accessible restrooms and drinking fountains are located inside the main visitor building.
When planning your Pembroke Pines travel guide or comparing verified attractions and parks in Pembroke Pines, pair this stop with standout local spots including Tacu Taku Peruvian Kitchen, IL Toscano Ristorante Italiano, Carpenter House at Hollywood North Beach Park, and Flamingo Gardens (1.1 km away).
