You don't have to leave equestrian country to find a good trail — here's where Wellington locals go to hike, walk, and spot wildlife.
If you're looking for hiking trails near Wellington, FL, you're closer to real Everglades habitat than most people realize. Wellington sits right at the edge of Palm Beach County's remaining wetlands and pine flatwoods, which means boardwalk trails through cypress swamp, wide-open marsh views, and wildlife sightings are all within a short drive of the village's neighborhoods and polo fields. This guide rounds up the best options, from an easy stroll right in Wellington to a full day of exploring deeper into the Everglades.
For more on what makes this part of Palm Beach County appealing beyond the trails, our guide to Wellington's gated communities covers the neighborhoods closest to this outdoor lifestyle.
The Quick Answer
Closest to Wellington: Wellington Environmental Preserve, right in the village, with an easy 3-mile boardwalk loop through wetlands.
Best for families: Okeeheelee Park, with a gentle nature trail, a nature center with live animals, and plenty of other activities on-site.
Best for a longer hike: Grassy Waters Preserve, with routes ranging from a 1.5-mile boardwalk to a more challenging 4-mile loop through cypress and tree islands.
Best for real Everglades scenery: Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, with boardwalk, levee, and paddling trails through sawgrass marsh and cypress swamp.
Hiking Trails Near Wellington
Wellington Environmental Preserve
The most convenient option for Wellington residents, this preserve sits right in the village and offers an inner loop of about 3 miles along boardwalks and paved paths through restored wetlands, plus a separate 3.6-mile equestrian trail. Wading birds are the main draw here — expect to see great blue herons and, if you're lucky, roseate spoonbills — along with a butterfly garden and an observation tower for a wider view of the marsh. The terrain is easy to moderate and largely accessible, making it a solid pick for a quick morning walk.
Grassy Waters Preserve
A short drive east into West Palm Beach, Grassy Waters Preserve protects a freshwater marsh that forms the northern edge of the Everglades and doubles as a drinking water source for the region. The 1.5-mile Boardwalk Nature Trail is flat, elevated, and fully accessible, while the Hog Hammock and Promontory Trail Loop stretches to about 4 miles over shell-packed paths and boardwalk, passing lakes, marshes, and cypress swamp. Wildlife sightings here can include deer, wild boar, and sandhill cranes, and a longer bikeable route (the Owahee Trail) runs about 16 miles for those who want to cover more ground.
Okeeheelee Park and Nature Trail
Just south of Grassy Waters, Okeeheelee Park pairs an easy, bench-lined nature trail with a full-service nature center featuring live animals, turtles, snakes, and birds of prey — a good pick if you're bringing kids. Beyond the trail itself, the 1,700-acre park includes eight miles of paved bike paths, a deer overlook, and burn trail sections that show the landscape recovering from a 1980s wildfire. It's an easy add-on to a hiking day if you want more to do afterward.
Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area
For a longer, more immersive hike, Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area offers a roughly 5-mile loop through hardwood swamp and grassy marsh, part of a broader Wild and Scenic river system. It's a multi-use trail, so expect to share the path, but the range of ecosystems packed into one hike — swamp, marsh, and air-plant-draped hammock — makes it worth the drive from Wellington.
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
For the fullest Everglades experience within reach of Wellington, this national wildlife refuge offers several distinct trails. The Cypress Swamp Boardwalk is a short, easy 0.36-mile loop through cypress swamp where owls, woodpeckers, and alligators are commonly spotted. The Marsh Trail runs just under a mile along a levee with canal views on both sides, while the longer C-Impoundment and A-Impoundment trails (nearly 7 and just over 3 miles, respectively) push deeper into impounded wetlands. For those who want to cover serious distance, the Perimeter Levee Trail circles the refuge for up to 36 open miles and even allows horses, making it a natural fit for Wellington's equestrian crowd.
Planning Your Hike
Most of these trails are flat, exposed, and best tackled in the early morning, especially outside the cooler winter months — bring water and sun protection regardless of the season. If you're coming from Wellington's western neighborhoods, Wellington Environmental Preserve is the easiest starting point, with Grassy Waters and Okeeheelee both a short drive east and the Loxahatchee refuge a bit farther north for a full-day outing.
If you're weighing where in this part of Palm Beach County to settle down, our Wellington neighborhood guide covers the village's communities in more detail, from equestrian estates to family-friendly gated neighborhoods close to these trails.
FAQ: Hiking Near Wellington, FL
What is the closest hiking trail to Wellington, FL? Wellington Environmental Preserve sits right in the village and offers an easy, roughly 3-mile boardwalk loop through restored wetlands — the most convenient option for local residents.
Are there Everglades hiking trails near Wellington? Yes. The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area both offer trails through true Everglades habitat within a reasonable drive of Wellington.
Is there a hiking trail near Wellington with a nature center? Okeeheelee Park combines an easy nature trail with a full nature center featuring live animals, making it a good choice for families with kids.
Can you bring horses on trails near Wellington? Some can. Wellington Environmental Preserve has a dedicated 3.6-mile equestrian trail, and the Perimeter Levee Trail at the Loxahatchee refuge also permits horses.
Are these trails good for birdwatching? Very much so. Wellington Environmental Preserve, Grassy Waters Preserve, and the Loxahatchee refuge all offer strong wading bird viewing, including herons and, at times, roseate spoonbills.
Is Wellington, FL a good place to live for outdoor lovers? Yes. Between its equestrian trails, nearby wetland preserves, and easy access to true Everglades habitat, Wellington offers an unusual mix of outdoor recreation for a Palm Beach County community.
Let SoFlo Coastal Group Help You Make the Move
Whether you're drawn to Wellington for the trails, the equestrian lifestyle, or both, our team can help you find the neighborhood that fits how you want to spend your weekends.
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Melissa Naman, REALTOR® Founder, SoFlo Coastal Group Helping you buy, sell, and invest across Palm Beach and Broward County.
