Disney Wilderness Preserve

Kissimmee, Florida

Approximately 35 miles (a 50-minute drive) from downtown Orlando

Home to more than 1,000 species of plants and animals, the Disney Wilderness Preserve is a peek at the wildness of the Everglades that still remains here.

WHAT TO SEE

Discover numerous rare bird species, including bald eagles, red-cockaded woodpeckers, wood storks and sandhill cranes, plus more familiar species like the northern harrier and eastern meadowlark.

The preserve is also home to unique residents, including the Southeastern big-eared bat, Sherman’s fox squirrel, eastern indigo snake and gopher tortoise.

Keep an eye out for beautiful blooms, including Catesby’s lily and terrestrial orchids.

WHAT TO DO

Start your visit at the preserve’s Conservation Learning Center, an eco-friendly building with interactive displays on the critical restoration work being done here.

Enjoy birdwatching while you stroll the preserve’s trails. Check out the Red Wilderness Trail to experience Lake Russell, a serene 540-acre sand-bottom lake.

The preserve hosts a monthly Early Birding Day. Spend a fun morning chatting with our staff about birds and learning birding techniques.

Potomac Gorge/Bear Island

Potomac, Maryland

Approximately 15 miles (a 40-min drive) from downtown Washington, D.C.

Carved over thousands of years by the rush of the Potomac River, Potomac Gorge is a dynamically beautiful and vital ecosystem just minutes from the nation’s capital.

WHAT TO SEE

With miles of wooded trails and a view of the powerful whitewater falls, you’ll feel a world away from the city.

Discover a variety of species including bald eagles, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, painted turtles and wood frogs. See if you can spot the eastern tiger swallowtail fluttering among wildflowers.

WHAT TO DO

Stroll or bike along the C&O Canal National Historical Park path and learn about the canal’s storied past and the preservation efforts.

Challenge yourself on the famous Billy Goat Trail, where you can climb over giant boulders and rocky ledges overlooking the rushing Mather Gorge river rapids.

Or get even closer with a whitewater adventure on the Potomac rapids and experience the river’s dynamic energy firsthand.

High Mountain Park Preserve

Wayne, New Jersey

Approximately 25 miles (a 40-minute drive) from New York City

WHAT TO SEE

Keep an eye out for rare plants and wildlife, including mountain mint and northern long-eared bats, as well as common local species like flying squirrels, wild turkeys, chipmunks and white-tailed deer.

WHAT TO DO

Explore a mosaic of lush woodlands and wetlands set against an ancient volcanic bedrock that dates back more than 130 million years. With nearly 12 miles of trails, there are plenty of opportunities for wandering.

Stroll along the Yellow and Orange trails to discover several small waterfalls and sparkling streams. Or hike the vigorous Summit Trail and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic summit views of New York City.

Sheep Bridge Nature Preserve

Virgin, Utah

Approximately 17 miles (a 25-minute drive) from Zion National Park

Tucked away near the town of Virgin, Sheep Bridge Nature Preserve is a remarkable blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage and conservation.

WHAT TO SEE

In spring, immerse yourself in a wide variety of flowering plants, including desert marigold, globe mallow, prickly pear cactus and sacred datura.

Bring your binoculars to catch a glimpse of nesting red-tailed hawks, mountain blue­birds, tree swallows, cliff swallows and sharp-shinned hawks. And dusk abounds with bats hunting for insects.

WHAT TO DO

The preserve is nestled along one of the most pristine stretches of the Virgin River, a key branch of the Colorado River.

Explore the preserve on one of its many accessible, well-marked trails that offer serene views of the river, lined with shady cottonwood and willow trees.

*In the 1850s, the narrow canyon walls were home to the first “sheep bridge”—a one-lane crossing used by ranchers to move sheep single-file across the river. Today, a restored plank pedestrian bridge lies next to the modern bridge that now spans the river.

Indian Point Blagden Preserve

Bar Harbor, Maine

Approximately 5 miles (a 10-minute drive) from Acadia National Park

Admire towering forests, rugged coastline and unique wildlife in one of the few areas that escaped a devastating 1947 fire on Mount Desert Island.

WHAT TO SEE

Challenge yourself to see how many of the preserve’s 12 warbler species and six woodpecker species you can find. Extra points if you spot a ruby-crowned kinglet or an osprey soaring overhead.

The remnants of an old apple orchard near the shore pinpoint the location of the historic Blagden estate.

WHAT TO DO

Explore the preserve’s connected network of trails that take you through the forest and along the rugged shoreline.

On the Shore Trail and you may see harbor seals sunning themselves on one of the offshore ledges. Bring binoculars to observe the seals from a distance without disturbing them or our neighbors.

Blowing Rocks Preserve

Jupiter Island, Florida

Approximately 65 miles (a 1-hour and 30-minute drive) from Fort Lauderdale

Catch a rare glimpse into an unspoiled Florida coastline at this peaceful, barrier island.

WHAT TO SEE

Beloved sea turtles—including loggerheads, leatherbacks, and green sea turtles—are just a few of the endangered plants and animals that call Blowing Rocks home.

Experience the “blowing rocks” from the viewing platform. The name comes from the dazzling natural water show that happens when rough waves at high tide surge against the rocky Anastasia limestone shoreline—the largest on the Atlantic coast—forcing seawater as high as 50 feet into the air.

WHAT TO DO

Enjoy swimming and snorkeling from the protected beach or explore the preserve’s five trails.

Check out the pollinator garden scenic walk, a quick but delightful loop showcasing native grasses, shrubs and flowering plants.

Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve

Kill Devil Hills, NC

Approximately 4 miles (a 10-minute drive) from Kill Devil Hills

One of the largest remaining maritime forests on the East Coast, Nags Head Woods is a unique landscape shaped by the ocean.

WHAT TO SEE

Nags Head Woods is the perfect place for birdwatchers—herons, hummingbirds, hawks and countless other species nest in and around the preserve.

Also be on the lookout for tree frogs, salamanders, snakes, turtles and lots of other wildlife.

WHAT TO DO

Explore eight pet-and family-friendly trails, ranging from 0.2 to 3 miles, each with distinct features and wildlife.

Grab a seat and spend the day birdwatching from one of the observation decks, or take a stroll along wooded dunes, peaceful ponds and brackish marsh.

Bring a fishing reel and try to hook a bluegill or largemouth bass from the fishing platform.

Flat Ranch Preserve

Island Park, Idaho

Approximately 18 miles (a 20-minute drive) from Yellowstone National Park

Wander through wildflowers and take in Big Sky Country at Flat Ranch Preserve, just a short drive from West Yellowstone.

WHAT TO SEE

Depending on the season, elk, deer, wolves, bears and pronghorn frequently roam here. Birdwatchers can spot bald eagles, mountain bluebirds, great blue herons, and migratory species like ospreys and the long-billed curlews.

WHAT TO DO

Take a self-guided trail walk through the preserve and soak in the panoramic views from the picnic area. For fly fishing, the world-renowned Henrys Fork River awaits.

* The visitor center (open Memorial Day to Labor Day) is a great starting point to learn about the ranch’s history. Don’t miss the chance to use the spotting scope on the deck to catch a closer look at area wildlife.

Red Rock Canyon

Clark County, Nevada

Approximately 20 miles (a 25-minute drive) from Las Vegas

Standing tall behind the Las Vegas skyline, these iconic, red-banded peaks are a beloved outdoor destination for millions each year.

WHAT TO SEE

Visitors may be able to spot the iconic desert bighorn sheep navigating the canyon’s steep cliffs. Red Rock is also home to numerous bird species, colorful wildflowers, rare insects and reptiles such as Gila monster and desert tortoise.

WHAT TO DO

No matter what activities you enjoy, you’ll find something to do at Red Rock Canyon. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are miles of hiking trails, as well as rock climbing, horseback riding and mountain biking.

For those who prefer to take in the views at a slower pace, scenic drives and picnic areas allow you to take in the canyon’s natural beauty.

Indian Boundary Prairies

Markham, Illinois

Approximately 25 miles (a 30-min drive) from Chicago

Discover the awe-inspiring beauty of these five prairie areas that form the largest high-quality grassland in Illinois.

WHAT TO SEE

The Prairies are a paradise for pollinators and home to hundreds of insect species, including the Acadian hairstreak butterfly. Birdwatchers can keep an eye out for the state-threatened Henslow’s sparrow, bobolinks and Eastern meadowlarks.

WHAT TO DO

Enjoy a leisurely stroll and marvel at a vibrant array of plant species—from Indiangrass and little bluestem to narrow-leaved sundew and the endangered eastern prairie fringed orchid.

Visit during late spring or early summer to see the prairies in full bloom and catch butterflies at their liveliest!