Experiences
The park drive is 1.9 miles and is very popular with bicyclers and in-line skaters alike. The drive is one-way and bicyclers and skaters are required to observe this restriction. The park’s trails are not officially designated as biking trails. However, some trails do accommodate bikes. Please ask for information and directions at the park.
- Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.
- Bike Rentals
The Fort Lauderdale Elks Club built the Elks Youth Camp in 1950 for nonprofit youth groups.
The camp accommodates 68 people in six cabins, all with restrooms and air conditioning. The lodge provides complete kitchen and dining facilities.
At least one adult chaperone is required per 10 youths, ages 18 and under. Chaperones must be at least 21 years of age.
- A fire ring is available for campfires.
- Pets are not permitted overnight.
- Service animals are welcome in all areas of the park.
- For additional information or to make reservations, please call 954-564-4521.
Our youth group primitive campsite is open for reservations!
Primitive group camping is available to organized youth groups only. Youth groups require at least one adult chaperone per 10 youths, ages 18 and under. Chaperones must be at least 21 years of age.
The camp accommodates up to 50 people per overnight stay in tents, with a composting toilet system and a primitive shower available. Fires are permitted in the campfire circle and barbecue grill only. Firewood will be provided by the park. Fires may be prohibited during dry periods. The fire should not be built too high, and before any fires are built, please contact the ranger station.
Once the park has closed for the day, the group must remain within the vicinity of the primitive camp as roaming about the park is not permitted after hours.
- Camping rates are $5 for each adult and $1 for each child under 18 years old, plus tax.
- For additional information or to make reservations, please call 954-564-4521.
Fishing is popular at the park and is allowed in any public access area and from the Intracoastal Waterway seawall only. No fishing is permitted in waters within the interior of the park, such as the mangroves or the coastal dune lake.
- Please observe the "No Fishing" signs.
- All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.
The Coastal Hammock Trail provides hikers a 20-minute leisurely walk through a native maritime tropical hardwood hammock ecosystem, some of the last designated within Broward County. Interpretive signs along the trail provide information about the habitat and native flora. The Mid Trail gives a different view of the park by including many plants brought here by Mr. Birch.
Rentals may be obtained from the park's concessionaire located at the Beach Gate/Concession access in the park, and adjacent to A1A. Rentals are available on the largest of the park's coastal dune lakes and in some cases at the beach.
Several shaded picnic areas with playground equipment, pavilions and barbecue grills are conveniently located close to parking throughout the park. Each of the three picnic pavilions is equipped with electricity and water (upon request) and can accommodate approximately 50 people.
- Pavilions 1 and 2 are located under a shaded canopy and a reasonable walk to the Beach Gate Entrance.
- Pavilion 3 is located with a lovely view of the Intracoastal Waterway.
- The pavilions may be rented for $80 per day, plus tax.
Swimming is available on the beach adjacent to the park. Guests can access the beach through the Beach Gate Entrance.
Park and Ocean is located at the Beach Gate and guests can rent beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks and other services.
No swimming is permitted within any interior park waters such as the mangroves or coastal dune lake.
Join us at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park to take a ranger guided walk every Friday and Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
You will hear stories of the past and gain understanding of what Mr. Hugh Taylor Birch would have seen when landing on the shores of Fort Lauderdale. You also will learn about the flora and fauna of the five natural communities that make up Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Free guided walk with your entrance fee. Meet at the entrance station.
- Week 1: Coral Reef and Dunes
- Week 2: Maritime Hammock
- Week 3: Coastal Dune Lake and Terramar
- Week 4: Tropical Hardwood Hammock
- Week 5: Mangrove Forest
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park offers premier birding for novice and experts alike. The park is known for many sightings of Caribbean species as well as migratory species, with over 250 species on the park’s bird list.
The park is listed on the Great Florida Birding Trail Guide. Other wildlife, such as the threatened gopher tortoise and the common raccoon, may be encountered. Please do not touch or feed our wildlife as this is detrimental to the animals.
Guests may inquire to see our park’s live animal exhibits by pre-arrangement. Our native live exhibits include a threatened Eastern indigo, corn snakes, rat snakes and diamondback terrapin turtles.
Join us for a live animal presentation. You will have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with several Florida native reptile species through education.
Amenities
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is committed to providing and expanding a variety of accessible amenities to all of its visitors. Those amenities include:
- A beach wheelchair is available at our Ranger Station.
- Large-print versions of our park brochure are available upon request.
- Audio versions of our park brochure are available upon request.
- A 1-mile audio tour of the park is available free to all park guests.
- The quarter-mile Rail Trail is accessible to all.
- All large pavilions are accessible.
- Beach concession restroom.
- Our youth camp facility, with full Lodge and cabin 6 is accessible.
- Accessible picnic tables are located throughout the park.
The park is adjacent to Fort Lauderdale Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the state.
Beach access is available 8 a.m.until sunset daily. During the summer months, South Florida beaches host one of the largest loggerhead sea turtle nesting grounds in the world. Nests will be marked, so please mind the designated areas as well as other sensitive habitats that contain designated species including sea oats and beach peanut.
- When swimming, please heed the lifeguard flags, which indicate water and surf conditions or rip currents.
- During the summer, if you are visiting our beaches in the evening, please use red LED lighting only as white light startles nesting female sea turtles and potentially disorients hatchling sea turtles.
With a total of 252 parking spots, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park usually has enough room for you and your family to park and enjoy the park for the day. During busy weekends or holidays, parking tends to fill at the Beach Hammock Lot, but just come back an hour or two later and you can usually find a spot or park in another lot. Parking is covered with park admission, but overnight parking is not permitted.
Three picnic pavilions are equipped with electricity and water (upon request) and can accommodate approximately 50 people.
- Pavilions 1 and 2 are located under a shaded canopy and within a reasonable walk to the Beach Gate Entrance.
- Pavilion 3 has a lovely view of the Intracoastal Waterway.
- The pavilions may be rented for $80 per day, plus tax.
Ranger-guided tours in the vicinity of the building and near its adjacent sensitive habitats are available by pre-arrangement. Please inquire at the ranger station. The Terramar Visitor Center was Hugh Taylor Birch's home.
Built in 1940, it is a mix of Mediterranean and Art Deco styles. It contains displays of the history of the area and an environmental display of this unique ecosystem.
- The Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is closed Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Admission is free with paid park entrance.
Staying hydrated on your outdoor adventures is important. Just bring a refillable water bottle to replenish your drinking water at the park. This will reduce the amount of single-use plastics in landfills and reduce the litter sometimes found along trails, at campsites, on beaches and in Florida’s waterways.
- At Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, you’ll find a refillable water bottle station at the ranger station.
- Learn more.