Horseshoe Park and Fairy Trail
Mystical Fairy Trail and Labyrinth with a few interpretive signs and some scattered tables and benches for picnicking. Located within Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp. Month Visited: December.
28.96507066 - -81.23829597Geneva Wilderness Area
180 acres with picnic tables and interpretive signage and trails through mixed hardwood swamp, mesic flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods and freshwater habitat. Month Visited: December.
28.70922628 - -81.12399639Lake Proctor Wilderness Area
475 acres with about 6 miles of trails through sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, sandhill and bayhead swamp habitat. Month Visited: December.
28.74318186 - -81.09530061Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
22,000 acres of abundant wildlife with trails, interpretive signage, and observations decks among marsh, swamp, creek, hammock and upland habitat. No restrooms available. Month Visited: December.
29.1195464 - -81.3533028Canareval National Seashore and Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge
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There are both paid and free things to do in and around the boundaries of Canareval National Seashore and Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge. We added separate grass tufts for our favorite free activities on the Hopper Portal. Month Visited: December.
28.72331878 - -80.74216598Grasshopper Lakes Ocala National Forest
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Just a fun and lovely place to visit (with a great name!), Sunny and Chi celebrated Chi's 9th birthday here! No facilities or educational signage were available where we accessed the lake for a picnic- off of a forest service road. Month visited: December.
29.14014756 - -81.60774699Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve and Kingsley Plantation
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Coastal area with evidence of 6,000 years of human history that is worthwhile for every person to visit. In addition to cultural history, experience salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks and all of the wildlife that call these diverse habitats home. The National Preserve consists of thousands of acres and two visitors centers, and the boundary borders Florida State Parks (with fee areas) in some places. Month Visited: December.
30.44031642 - -81.43785471Blue Sky Preserve
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641 acres near the Ogeechee river and riparian area with picnic tables and about 2 miles of trails. Interpretive signage through lowland hardwood and wetland habitat. Month Visited: December.
32.19812645 - -81.3110044Dunwoody Nature Center
Boardwalks and interpretive trails and exhibits meandering through 22 acres and four distinct wildlife habitats. Picnic areas, restrooms with running water, community programming, a playground, and more. Open year-round sunrise to sunset. Month Visited: December.
34.1419189 - -84.29643411Savannah Botanical Garden
Approximately 10 acres of easy trails featuring variously-themed formal and naturalistic gardens, a pond, short nature trails, and a special Children's Garden. Month Visited: December.
32.16238932 - -81.06949582Ijams Nature Center
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315 acres of protected land with picnic tables and interpretive signage, a boardwalk, a primal playground, quarry, and various trails for hiking and biking. Various programs hosted year-round. Month Visited: November.
36.30593208 - -83.79682682Angel Oak Tree
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A beautiful, gigantic southern live oak that is estimated to be at least 400 years old, with some believing the tree is 1,500 years old! The circumfrance of its trunk 28 ft (8.5 m). The shade it produces covers a large area - 17,200 square feet (1,600 square meters). The park features a visitor's center, picnic tables, and free parking. Month Visited: December.
32.71724411 - -80.08039972Biscayne National Park - Dante Fascell Visitor Center
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While 95% of this free-to-visit National Park is water, the visitor center at Convoy Point offers an interpretive trail, a museum with theater showing short films about the park and its history, and picnic tables. For those with access to a canoe, kayak, paddleboard or other watercraft - there are plenty of places to get into the water to explore further. Month Visited: December.
25.46449674 - -80.33490119Manatee Observation Deck at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
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Mantees can often be seen in the Haulover Canel, but most often frequent the area during the spring and fall months when the water is 70 degrees (farenheit) or higher. This site offers free parking and great information about manatees and how to successfully spot them. Month Visited: December.
28.7379309 - -80.75440082Scrub Ridge Trail
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This one mile loops ventures through the uniqure and rare Florida scrub habitat - home to the Scrub Jay and other endangered species. The site offers plentiful interpretive signage to learn more about the habitat and the wildlife that call it home. Month Visited: December.
25.9830785 - -81.55522602Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge Marsh Trail
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Approximately 2.2 mile round trip along the only access trail on the refuge. There is a two-story observation tower at the 1/4 miles point that with benches, and the first level is handicap accessible. Easy public access and wildlife viewing with ample parking and a portable toilet on site. Month Visited: December.
25.9750348 - -81.5542297Crystal River Preserve State Park
Over 27,500 acres of scrub, pinewoods, hardwood forests, salt marshes and mangrove islands. A productive and biologically diverse estuary, where freshwater from spring-fed rivers mix with the saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico. Covered picnic tables and restrooms with running water. Month Visited: January
28.9111366 - -82.63677185Moccasin Lake Nature Park
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A 51-acre nature park and preserve with trails and boardwalks under a canopy of mature oaks and across ponds and creeks, with an array of wildlife including a sanctuary with several injured birds of prey. Featuring year-round ommunity programs, a playground, covered picnic area, vistors center (stop by for a trail guide!) with restrooms, and more. See website for hours of operation. Month Visited: January
27.97605462 - -82.72380484Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
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Established in 2002, this refuge is home to five listed endan gered species including the Cahaba shiner, goldline darter, round rocksnail, and cylindrical lioplax snail. The river currently supports 64 rare and imperiled plant and animal species, 13 of which are found nowhere else in the world. The Cahaba river has more fish species than any other river it's size on the continent! Worth a visit if in the area but there are no amenties such as picnic tables, trash cans (please make the grasshopper proud by being great environmental stewards and packing out all trash!), or bathrooms of any time. The Piper Interpretative trail leads to the river and has some interpretive signage, but there are some maintenance issues and it may not be suitable for families with young children. We highly recommend exploring Refuge website linked here to learn more about the speices and habitat that thrive here! Month Visited: January
33.08817049 - -87.04883314Riverview Park
This park overlooking an estuary served as part of the inspiration for The Hopper Portal, and it was our very first point on the map! This dog-friendly park has boardwalks & a great amount of interpretive signage, plus observation shelters & picnic tables. The park and boardwalk are wheelchair-accessible. There are no bathrooms, and I can't remember if there are portable toilets here. If you visit and note any toilets, please reach out and let us know! Month visited: November
34.68968401 - -77.11979799Pot Point Nature Trail and Ritchie Hollow Trail
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Two moderate loop hiking trails. There is an accompanying printable, 12-stop, self-guided nature trail brochure for the Pot Point Loop that dramatically increases the educational value of the trail (Tip: not available on-site so download on handheld device or print before you go!). Can be muddy, but is quite beautiful! No facilities, not recommended for young children. Grasshopper Ranking increase to 3 with accompanying handout. Month visited: January.
35.08964726 - -85.39953264Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail at University of Southern Alabama
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A series of choose-your-own-length well-marked, well maintained looping trails. An abundance of informative interpretive signage on all trails highlighting not only the ecology of the land but some human history as well. Parking, benches, and trash cans are plentiful with picnic tables available across the street from trailhead. No restrooms at the trailhead, but please reach out to us if you know of nearby public restrooms on campus (this would increase this trail system to a rating of 5 Grasshoppers)! Located near the Mobile Botanical Gardens and the Mobile Museum of Art. Month Visited: January.
30.7011607 - -88.18397011Muddy Creek Interpretive Nature Trail at Muddy Creek Wetlands Management Area
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A 2.3 mile interpretive trail loop meandering through 200 acres of restored wetlands and uplands habitat. Lengths of boardwalks over Muddy Creek and a beaver pond are coupled with woodland trail. This wildlife management area is home to many native plant, animal, and fungus species and there are many signs along the trail that provide a lot of interesting information about the species and habitats you encounter. No picnic tables, trash cans, or benches. There is a portable toilet near the interpretive trail trailhead (which is about 1/5 of a mile from parking lot). Month Visited: January
30.51712985 - -88.15290246Twelve Oaks Nature Trail
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A very short loop trail that winds through beautiful live oak trees, remannts of Mrs. Logan’s garden, bayhead swamps, and a scenic vista of Old Fort Bayou. Some species identification signage along trial. Covered picnic area near trailhead. Month visited: January.
30.41598577 - -88.79626855Gulf Islands National Seashore - Davis Bayou Area
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A beautiful Gulf Coast park with no entrance fee! Enjoy self-guided trails, picnic areas, a visitor's center with exhibits, and restroom facilities. Be on the lookout for many species of migratory and resident waterfowl! Please note that the boat launch and campground at this site do require fees, as well as other sections of this National Seashore - see Gulf Islands National Seashore main website for details. Month Visited: January
30.39785169 - -88.78960805Bayou Savage Urban National Wildlife Refuge
Bayou Sauvage is the largest Urban Refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge system. It stretched over bottomland hardwood forest, freshwater, brackish, and estuarine marsh, lagoon, canal, and bayou habitats. The waters that cover the land is intensively managed for habitat, wildlife diet, and protection from hurricane storm surge events. With these things in mind, it is impossible to assign value to the ecological services provided by the protection of this land. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina disrupted the natural ecology of the area by changing the salt concentrations of the surface waters. If you visit, you may encounter some of the approximately 340 bird species that live or pass through the refuge as you explore the boardwalk trails and learn about the natural history of these lands. Month Visited: January.
30.05372039 - -89.88058173Couturie Forest
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A lovely system of trails in the heart of City Park, this 60 acre forest boasts 8 habitat types and the highest point in New Orleans - Laborde Mountain at 43' above sea level! Complete with picnic tables and interpretive signage, this forest attracts many bird species and alligators can often be seen, especially in warm weather. Be sure to check out the trail map for Couturie Forest before you visit, there are no maps available on site. Month Visited: February
30.00343661 - -90.09511197Sankofa Wetland Park and Nature Trail
"Community-Led Resilience in the Lower Ninth Ward". Sankofa Wetland Park and Nature Trail is comprised of 40 acres of wetlands restoration in progress next to Bayou Bienvenue in New Orleans. In addition to increasing flood protection of the surrounding neighborhood, the site serves as an environmental education oasis and serves as a model of community revitalization, economic development, and recreation! At one point completely deteriorated, this site is being brought back as a bald cypress-water tupelo wetland habitat. Month Visited: February
29.9741297 - -89.9998471Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge - Pintail Drive and Boardwalk
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: February
29.9500622 - -93.0676373Emilie and Albert Friedrich Wilderness Park
The Friedrich Wilderness Park offers approximately 10 miles of clearly marked hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty throughout about 600 total acres. Many of the trails are universally accessible. The park features a nature center (check out their website for hours), bathroom facilities, and picnic areas. While you will encounter some interpretive signage near the park trailhead, you will find much of the information about the park's flora, fauna, and natural and cultural history on the accompanying smartphone app. The park earns a 5 Grasshoppers rating when accompanying this app. You may encounter one of many species of resident and migrating birds (including two endangered species), mammels, amphibians, reptiles, or an abundance of invertebrate species. Check out the video for this Portal stop for more information about the habitat types. Month Visited: February
29.6410797 - -98.627217Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: February
29.1053028 - -95.3407137Kelly Hamby Nature Trail
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: February
29.06830018 - -95.13187891Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
Located between the Chupadera Mountains to the west & the San Pascual Mountains to the east, these 57,331 acres provide a critical stopover site for migrating birds. This refuge is known for the tens of thousands of cranes, geese, and ducks who winter here each year. Four endangered species call it home or consider it an important stop during migration. Over 30,000 acres of Bosque del Apache are designated wilderness. When we visited, the visitor's center had limited operations due to the pandemic but we explored the Desert Arboretum trail and saw and learned about fascinating desert plants and encountered feathered friends. Month Visited: February
33.80470685 - -106.8916026Guadalupe Mountains National Park Pine Springs Visitors Center
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: February
31.89426738 - -104.821702Rio Grande Nature Center - Aldo Leopold Trail
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: February
35.13167366 - -106.6844209Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: February
34.35173218 - -106.8823694Baca National Wildlife Refuge
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: February
37.98900791 - -105.712921Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
This refuge, along the present-day California/Arizona border in the Sonoran Desert, was established in the mid 1960's following a massive topographical alteration projects along the Colorado River by the Bureau of Reclamation. This18,444-acre refuge strive to protect and recreate marshes, backwaters, and meander habitats that historically provided wintering grounds for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife that natural flooding forms. When visiting, you will encounter the "Goose Loop Auto Tour" and two trails (one by the refuge headquarters and one near the beginning of the Goose Loop). Month Visited: March
33.36345392 - -114.6690963Salton Sea & Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
33.17730861 - -115.6155137LandPaths Grove of Old Trees
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
38.3980351 - -122.9915384Bajada Trail/Cottonwood Visitors Center at Joshua Tree National Park
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
33.68139945 - -115.801722Oxbow Nature Study Area
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
39.5188019 - -119.8465797Grimes Point Archeological Area and Hidden Cave
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
39.40153548 - -118.6474031Capital Reef National Park
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
38.29160392 - -111.2619336Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
39.83944714 - -105.1040717Riparian Woodland Nature Trail
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
37.72203799 - -97.42268458Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
38.30163302 - -95.90987088Cave Spring Interpretive Center
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
38.99429757 - -94.48319433Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
38.55619002 - -90.42869292Albany Pine Bush Preserve and Discovery Center
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The Albany Pine Bush Preserve and Discovery Center is a must visit for locals and visitors to the area! The Discovery Center provides opportunities for all ages to learn about the local ecology and habitats through interactive exhibits. The preserve offers over 20 miles of trails that are open year-round and also feature educational signage and exhibits. Be sure to stop by the Kerner Barrens information kiosk and grab information pamplets to guide you on your journey. Check out their website for hours and more information, including an interactive map. Month Visited: March
42.72003428 - -73.86454325Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
41.48509822 - -81.57451303Pogue's Run Art and Nature Park
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
39.80095836 - -86.08814686Watershed Nature Center
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Description coming soon! Month Visited: March
38.81762811 - -89.97462598Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge
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The Waccamaw wildlife refuge consists of 34,000 acres of diverse wetland habitats ranging from both historic + actively managed tidal rice fields, to black water + forested flood plains of the Waccamaw + Great Pee Dee Rivers. These tidal freshwater ecosystems are some of the most biodiverse wetland systems found in North America! They provide important wildlife corridors for many animals and play a critical role in storm water filtration and retention for drinking water in the Grand Strand region. Month Visited: November
33.6561959 - -79.1632682Fern Hollow Nature Center
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Located on 33 acres, Fern Hollow serves as the gateway to the region’s park and creek system. Their mission is to serve the community by providing unique learning opportunities aimed at helping people of all ages appreciate our natural environment. In addition to a variety of trails, a natural playground, a community garden, gathering places, and educational signage, this nature center offers a variety of programs for kids and adults alike throughout the year. Month Visited: October
40.54596643 - -80.15142667Core Arboretum
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This arboretum is located on a 91-acre tract of hillside and bottomland and features 3 miles of trails with more than 150 species of trees and shrubs. Habitats include old growth temperate deciduous forest on hillside and floodplain sites, interpretive signs, trailside benches, a small woodland amphitheater, and information kiosks and signage. In addition to trees and shrubs, the site is home to over 200 species of herbaceous plants including many species of native wildflowers. Month Visited: October
39.64641486 - -79.98098747Welcome to the ‘Hopper Portal!
Take a journey with Sunny and Chi-Dog as they explore natural areas teaming with life and adventure! Each point on the Portal Map features place-based information about a variety of natural areas. Click on the grass tufts to explore natural destinations that are free and open to the public for visitation! Videos for each Portal Stop will be released on the Grasshoppers Landing YouTube channel so be sure to subscribe!
Look for the Grasshopper Rating 1 - 5 with 5 ‘Hoppers being our top picks! Ratings are based on place characteristics and amenities.
*The Portal is in beta testing. Feel free to reach out with any feedback. You can stay up to date on new features as they arise by signing up for The Lowdown on the Landing email newsletter*