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Fern Forest Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,107 Google reviews · Running trail in Coconut Creek, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Fern Forest Nature Center's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Vast preserve with 30 types of ferns, various habitats, native plants & nature center with reptiles.
What runners say about Fern Forest Nature Center
“The bathrooms are nice and clean, there are misters along the elevated paths for hot days, and there are plenty of benches to sit and relax throughout the whole center.”
“The 2 story Nature Center with ecpansive wrap around covered decks with great views of the sourounding natural enviroment - is Built Right and Meant to Last!”
“The boardwalk is beautiful and well-kept, and I really enjoyed how shaded everything was even in the Florida heat it stayed surprisingly comfortable.”
“The trails are well marked - also descriptions of notable trees , fern, habitats.”
“Fern Forest Nature Center is a really peaceful spot to spend a morning or afternoon if you want to disconnect a bit.”
Beautiful nature center! Way bigger than expected. I’ve been a couple times and I always find new areas to explore. There are ground trails as well as elevated bridge-like trails to observe the swampy areas. I really enjoy just walking around, observing, and sometimes picking a nice spot to read.
Great park to do a nature walk. There is a boardwalk that will take you back to the start of the foot trails. You can stay on the boardwalk if you don’t want to do the trails. The longer nature path, takes you out to a cool overlook that’s a good spot to sit and relax.
Fern Forest Nature Center was such a great find! We were just driving around looking for something to do while waiting for our pup to finish her groom, and happened to pass by this nature center. To our surprise, it was amazing. There are so many hiking trails, and they even offer guided bird-watching tours.
Always looking for trails on my days off. Love it! Trails clearly marked. Loved the shoe washing area as well, since I got little muddy. Bringing the family to try the Maple trail. Prairie trail was cool and the overlook was overlooking, lol.
Trail conditions & character
“The 2 story Nature Center with ecpansive wrap around covered decks with great views of the sourounding natural enviroment - is Built Right and Meant to Last!”
“The boardwalk is beautiful and well-kept, and I really enjoyed how shaded everything was even in the Florida heat it stayed surprisingly comfortable.”
“Fern Forest Nature Center is a really peaceful spot to spend a morning or afternoon if you want to disconnect a bit.”
“The boardwalk is beautiful and well-kept, and I really enjoyed how shaded everything was even in the Florida heat it stayed surprisingly comfortable.”
“The bathrooms are nice and clean, there are misters along the elevated paths for hot days, and there are plenty of benches to sit and relax throughout the whole center.”
“The only downside for me personally, is that the only bathrooms are located within the indoor covered area, near the parking lot.”
“In the summer time there will probably be a lot of bugs, and it can be muddy.”
“The trails are well marked - also descriptions of notable trees , fern, habitats.”
Plan your run at Fern Forest Nature Center
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitebroward.org
- Phone(954) 357-5198
Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–5 PM |
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