Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
The Urban Escape
Fort Lauderdale
3109 E. Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
- Walking trails
- Lagoon
- Beach access
- Scenic views
- Picnic areas
Official LMGT meetup
Good To GoSaturday, September 12, 2026
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Can't make the official Park Hop? No problem. Visit this park on your own, complete the quest and add it to your Park Passport.
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Your park quest
5 to tick, plus a bonusWhen you get to the park, open your quest and we'll guide you through one step at a time. Do them in any order, across as many visits as you like — anything you tick is saved.
Walking
Walk the Coastal Hammock Trail loop, then take the tunnel under A1A toward the beach.
0.9 mile Coastal Hammock Trail loop plus the A1A tunnel · about 35 min · Sandy and shaded; the tunnel is paved and step-free.
Adventure
Photograph the freshwater lagoon or Birch's Art Deco home, Terramar.
Short walk from the lagoon parking area · about 15 min · Paved paths near Terramar, with benches along the way.
Live More
Standing between the city and the ocean, write one thing you are grateful for.
No walking needed · about 5 min · Pick a bench facing the ocean.
Movement
Ride or walk the 1.9-mile park drive in the posted one-way direction, then stretch in the shade of the banyans.
1.9 mile park drive, one way · about 45 min · Paved and mostly flat, shared with cyclists; little shade in places.
Together
Take the pedestrian tunnel under A1A with your group and swap one favourite Fort Lauderdale memory on the sand.
0.3 mile round trip through the tunnel · about 15 min · Paved and step-free, with sand at the beach end.
Bonus · optional
Bonus: paddle or spot wildlife on the freshwater lagoon before the beach gate closes 30 minutes ahead of sunset.
About 0.4 mile of lagoon shoreline · about 30 min · Seasonal paddle rentals; the beach gate closes 30 minutes before sunset.
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Discover this park
Slip through the gates on A1A and the city disappears into a tropical hardwood hammock that runs almost to the Atlantic. The land was owned by Chicago attorney Hugh Taylor Birch, who began buying oceanfront here for about a dollar an acre in 1893 and built his Art Deco home, Terramar, on the estate in 1940. He gave the land to the state, and it opened as a park in 1941. Today you can paddle the lagoon, walk shaded trails past herons and raccoons, or cross straight over to the beach — a barrier-island oasis inside a busy resort city.
SourceBefore you hop
Know the park before you arrive
Check the park map, find key amenities and plan your adventure.
Plan your hop
Know the park before you arrive
Check the park map, find key amenities and plan your adventure.
- Best entrance
- Enter at 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
- Restrooms
- Fully accessible restrooms in the Concession Building; the Banyan and North End restrooms are closed for construction.
- Walking trails / paths
- Hiking and bicycling trails, including the 1.9-mile park drive.
- Picnic areas / shelters
- Picnic areas overlooking the channel, with rentable pavilions that have water and electricity.
- Lake / waterfront
- Beach access by crosswalk on A1A, Intracoastal Waterway boat access, paddling and fishing.
- Nature areas
- Freshwater lagoon and coastal hammock, with natural and cultural history displays at the Terramar Visitor Center.
- Fitness / sports areas
- Bicycling on the park drive.
- Accessibility
- Accessible restrooms are available in the Concession Building.
- Hours
- 8:00am to sunset, 365 days a year
- Fees
- $6 per vehicle (up to 8 people), $4 single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle, $2 per pedestrian or cyclist
Verified amenities
- Freshwater lagoon paddling
- Nature trails and boardwalk
- Bike-friendly park drive
- Beach access via pedestrian tunnel
- Picnic areas and playground
- Restrooms (some closed for construction)
- Restaurant and rental concession
Park tip: Some pavilions, restrooms and the floating dock are closed for construction — check the park page before you go.
Official park sourceBefore you go
- Hours
- 8:00am to sunset, 365 days a year
- Entry
- $6 per vehicle (up to 8 people), $4 single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle, $2 per pedestrian or cyclist
- Getting there
- Entrance is on E Sunrise Blvd just west of A1A. Park inside the gate; the beach is reached by the pedestrian tunnel under A1A.
Construction has closed the large pavilions and some restrooms; accessible restrooms are at the Concession Building. The floating dock is closed.
What's here
- Freshwater lagoon paddling
- Nature trails and boardwalk
- Bike-friendly park drive
- Beach access via pedestrian tunnel
- Picnic areas and playground
- Restrooms (some closed for construction)
- Restaurant and rental concession
Park rules to know
- The 1.9-mile park drive is one way — always travel in the posted direction.
- Helmets recommended for cyclists and skaters.
- Leashed pets are welcome in the park but not on the beach.
- Lifeguard coverage is limited; swim at your own risk.
- The beach gate closes 30 minutes and the North Gate 15 minutes before the park closes.
Park rules and safety instructions always take priority over an LMGT quest, challenge, XP, badge, stamp or reward.
Did you know?
Hugh Taylor Birch began buying oceanfront land here for about $1 an acre in 1893.
What can you find?
A gentle scavenger hunt. Stay on the trails, leave everything where it is, and enjoy the looking.
- A view of the water that makes you stop walking
- A tree older than the buildings around it
- A native bird going about its day
- A quiet spot you would come back to
About this park
A rare stretch of coastal hammock tucked between the Intracoastal and the ocean. Wide shady trails, a freshwater lagoon and an easy walk to the beach make this the perfect first stop.
Before you go
Park names, locations, amenities and other public information are provided for informational and navigational purposes. Park information may change. Verify current hours, closures, fees and rules with the applicable park authority before visiting.
Check current weather and park conditions before starting. South Florida weather changes quickly — no stamp, XP or badge is worth continuing in unsafe conditions.
You decide what is safe for you and your group. Follow posted park rules, closures and staff instructions. Children stay with a responsible adult. Never enter closed or restricted areas to finish a quest.