Orlando Wetlands Park Accessibility Guide

A Not-Very-Accessible Nature Park in Central Florida

Apr 13, 2023

In January 2023, Hazel’s dad Greg and I visited the Orlando Wetlands Park (OWP). We wanted to see how accessible this attraction was before bringing Hazel. OWP is a 1,650-acre nature preserve located just east of Orlando. It offers visitors the chance to explore a diverse array of ecosystems, from marshes and swamps to open water and hardwood forests.

Originally built in the 1980s as a wastewater treatment facility, the Orlando Wetlands Park has since been transformed into a thriving habitat for plants and animals. The park is now home to more than 220 bird species, as well as a variety of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Visitors can explore the park's trails and boardwalks, which wind through the different habitats and offer plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing.

One of the highlights of OWP is bird watching. We saw so many birds, including the black-bellied whistling duck and the purple gallinule (both of which we had to look up!). Notably, the park has been designated an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society and is considered one of the best birding spots in Central Florida.

Another unique feature of Orlando Wetlands Park is its water treatment system. The park is still used to treat wastewater, but now the water is filtered through a series of wetlands and ponds before being discharged into the St. Johns River. This process not only produces clean water but also creates a rich habitat for plants and animals.

Visitors can choose from several different trails, ranging from short, easy walks to longer, more challenging hikes. Unfortunately, none of the hikes were very accessible. There is a short paved sidewalk from the parking lot to the Welcome Center, but the pavement stops, and most of the trails are sand. We felt it would be very difficult to take Hazel here in her wheelchair, but we are exploring the use of a We Carry Kevan hiking backpack to take Hazel to places her wheelchair won’t allow.

Entrance, boardwalk, and a surprise visit from sandhill cranes.

The new boardwalk was especially amazing, so a trek through loose sand may be worth it, if feasible. We saw many alligators and a lot of birds!

The free tram tours look really amazing but are not accessible, unfortunately. We asked about the availability of a wheelchair-accessible tram but were told that the trams are donated, and so far, an accessible tram has not been donated (anyone?). You can learn more about the limited tram schedule here.

Overall, the Orlando Wetlands Park is an amazing find for those interested in nature and birding. Unfortunately, there’s quite a bit that needs to be improved for the area to be accessible. This always presents a dilemma for our nature-loving family because Mother Nature isn’t ADA-compliant. However, we’ll continue to look for ways to adapt and overcome!

Orlando Wetlands Park Accessibility Factors

Parking:

There were two handicapped parking spaces in the main parking lot. However, we came on a very busy Friday (due to the tram schedule) and had to park in overflow parking in a dirt lot across the street. This could be problematic for many wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges.

Wheelchair Accessibility:

Unfortunately, only a short part of the park was wheelchair accessible (in the area leading to the Education Center), and none of the trails were accessible.

The wetlands, an alligator, and the sandy/grassy trails.

Changing Areas:

There were no large changing areas or family restrooms located in the areas we visited. I believe there is an infant-sized changing area in the public bathroom, but I can’t remember if it was in the VIP stall or in the public area of the women’s bathroom.

Temperature:

There is very little shade on the trails OWP, and we had to cut our hike short because I didn’t bring sunscreen. Keep this in mind if bringing someone who has trouble with heat or sun. There was shade at the entrance exhibits and shaded picnicking pavilions.

Noise:

Everything we visited was outdoors, but there was construction at the Education Center. We didn’t have an issue with overwhelming noise.

Crowds:

We were very surprised at the number of people who were visiting the park on a random Friday in January. There were a lot of field trips, tram riders, and birdwatchers. This clogged up some areas of the boardwalk, but we were able to escape the crowds once we got off the boardwalk and onto some of the more extensive trails.

Accessibility Score:

Orlando Wetlands Park was an amazing attraction for the able-bodied nature lover, but, unfortunately, it did not pass muster for those with mobility issues. We cannot recommend this park for wheelchair users and those with walking challenges. We can’t give this park any stars (out of five) due to its inaccessibility in almost every area.

But if you and your loved ones are able-bodied or able to adapt to rough terrain, then check out OWP and the free tram rides!