The Nature Conservancy in Florida - The Disney Wilderness Preserve

The Red-cockaded Woodpecker has returned to The Disney Wilderness Preserve. See why we are restoring a resident population of the endangered bird.

Get Involved

Join the Conservancy's online community and you can explore new places, receive emails you want and build your own personalized nature page!

A Carbon Laboratory

The Nature Conservancy and the University of Central Florida have teamed up to better understand carbon dynamics by measuring the amount of carbon stored in vegetation and soil.

Bat Monitoring Program

A rare species of bat – the southeastern big-eared bat – invaded a long-abandoned trailer. After years of decline, the colony’s numbers are now creeping back up.

Conservation Learning Center

The Conservation Learning Center is a living laboratory for land managers, scientists and other conservation practitioners interested in the preservation of Florida’s natural heritage. Learn more.

Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in getting involved in the Conservancy's groundbreaking conservation work at The Disney Wilderness Preserve? Check out volunteer events.

The Disney Wilderness Preserve Story

Learn more about why The Nature Conservancy chose The Disney Wilderness Preserve.

The Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve is a remarkable place to experience natural Florida. Located just south of Orlando, the preserve protects the headwaters of the Everglades ecosystem. This 12,000-acre preserve is an innovative model of ecological restoration and one of the largest off-site wetlands mitigation projects ever undertaken in the United States.

The preserve is bordered by Lake Russell, one of the last remaining undeveloped lakes in central Florida. It is also home to hundreds of wildlife species, many of which are rare, such as bald eagles, Florida scrub-jays, sandhill cranes and gopher tortoises.

A hiking trail is available to visitors who want to learn about the preserve’s resident plants and animals and the Conservancy’s efforts to restore and protect them.

Visiting the Preserve

The Disney Wilderness Preserve offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Florida and see land restoration in progress.

Hours
The preserve is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m daily. Please call the preserve before visiting (407) 935-0002 as the preserve may have limited access due to flooding or restoration activities.

Hiking Trail
All hikers must register at the self-serve stand prior to setting out. For your safety and comfort, bring drinking water, hats, sun protection, bug repellent, and wear appropriate footwear. Hikers should always be aware of changing weather conditions.

The hiking trail leaves from the Conservation Learning Center. It includes a one-mile trip to Lake Russell, one of the last remaining pristine lakes in central Florida. For those wishing a longer experience, the trail continues beyond Lake Russell, covering a 2.5-mile loop offering a closer look at the preserve’s natural communities and its resident plants and animals.

Pets are not allowed on the preserve.

Directions

(see map)

From I-4:
Exit onto Hwy. 535 and head south.
Follow 535 to Poinciana Blvd. Turn right (south) onto Poinciana Blvd.
Follow Poinciana Blvd. approximately 15 miles until you reach the intersection of Poinciana Blvd. and Pleasant Hill Road. Turn right onto Pleasant Hill Rd.
Continue to the first stop light, which is Dover Plum.
Turn left onto Dover Plum and continue until you come to the second stop sign, which is at the end of Dover Plum.
Turn right and shortly thereafter turn left at the first left drive onto Scrub Jay Trail following it into the preserve to the parking lot.

Call the preserve for directions from other locations.

Contact Us

The Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve
2700 Scrub Jay Trail
Kissimmee, FL 34759
Phone: (407) 935-0002