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In This Section
No, there is not a fee to visit our Nature Center or use our trail system.
Grassy Waters Preserve is a government entity owned and operated by the City of West Palm Beach. However, the nonprofit organization Grassy Waters Conservancy was created to support the Preserve. To learn more about the Grassy Waters Conservancy and to make a donation, please visit their website.
Yes, there are two wheelchairs available to borrow upon request at the Grassy Waters Nature Center for use on our ADA-accessible Cypress Boardwalk Trail. The wheelchairs were generously funded by the Ibis Charities Foundation through the Grassy Waters Conservancy, a nonprofit organization which supports Grassy Waters Preserve.
No, dogs are not permitted within Grassy Waters in order to keep the Preserve as natural as possible for our native wildlife. The smell or your dog prevents native wildlife like bobcats, foxes, and marsh rabbits from feeling safe in the habitat, and can also attract the attention of alligators looking for a meal. Service dogs are permitted, but we encourage owners to use caution near the water for the safety of their animal.
Yes, biking is allowed on all trails except the Cypress Boardwalk Trail and Eagle Trail. A mountain bike or hybrid bike is required, as none of our trails are appropriate for a road bike. Difficulty of terrain varies by trail. Please visit our Trail Information page for more details.
Fishing is prohibited everywhere in Grassy Waters except for Gator Lake (access from Eagle Trail at 8537 Northlake Blvd.), where catch and release fishing is permitted.
Because Grassy Waters Preserve has a high level of ecological protection, the only way to paddle at Grassy Waters is on a guided educational tour. We do not rent canoes or kayaks for visitors to paddle on their own, and you also may not launch your own watercraft to paddle at the Preserve. Reservations are required for all our guided paddle tours, and both the boat and your required life vest are included in the cost of the tour.
Grassy Waters Preserve does not offer any rental facilities, and no areas of the Preserve can be reserved for private use. Use of shelters and picnic tables is available on a first-come, first-served basis and may not be available to the general public during school field trip programming or guided tours.
No. Airboat tours are not offered at Grassy Waters Preserve. Except for limited use for scientific surveying or by law enforcement to patrol the Preserve, use of motorized vessels within Grassy Waters is prohibited in order to protect the ecological integrity of the wetland.
The bird in our logo is a snail kite, a species that has been listed as Endangered since 1967. Just as the City of West Palm Beach is dependent on the Preserve for its water supply, the survival of the snail kite is dependent on the preservation of pristine wetlands like Grassy Waters. Snail kite sightings are common at Grassy Waters Preserve, an indicator that we are providing this iconic Everglades resident with the quality habitat it needs to have a fighting chance at survival.
Grassy Waters is home to many alligators, but we cannot guarantee you will get to see one. Because they are cold blooded, alligators must regulate their temperature by cooling off in the water or warming themselves in the sun. Alligators are also well-camouflaged, so look closely, and with a little luck you’ll see one of our resident reptiles.
Grassy Waters is not licensed to rehabilitate wild animals. If you have an animal in need of care, please contact Busch Wildlife Sanctuary at (561) 575-3399.
No. Please do not release any pets or relocate trapped animals to Grassy Waters Preserve. Released wildlife can introduce disease to Preserve inhabitants. Released non-native species also threaten natural areas and can disrupt the existing ecosystem.
Our butterfly garden guide is a good first resource for choosing native plants to attract Florida wildlife. The guide also contains a list of native nurseries where the plants may be purchased. For a complete list of native plants, visit Florida Native Plant Society. In addition to attracting wildlife, native plants require little to no irrigation, pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizer. This helps limit polluting run-off and keeps your watershed clean, conserves freshwater resources, and saves you money!