Alligator viewing

[Ltkor]

We were told there is a 1 way road between The Villages and Orlando where you can see lots of Alligators. I believe I was told it was on an electric companies property. Does anyone know the name of this road? Thanks

[tophcfa]

Just go golfing, we saw a very large gator in a pond at Palmer yesterday. Sightings are becoming very common as their mating season is here.

[JohnN]

Gatorland is only $12.50 for seniors. You'll see a bazillion of 'em. Good time of year to go, it's mating season and they'll be fiesty. The birds are great to see too, and the turtles!

https://www.gatorland.com/content/uploads/alligators-3-600x375.jpg

[HIgolfers]

We were told there is a 1 way road between The Villages and Orlando where you can see lots of Alligators. I believe I was told it was on an electric companies property. Does anyone know the name of this road? Thanks

Are you talking about Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive? Its an 11 mile drive one way. Its managed by St Johns River Water Management District. Its only open Fridays, Sat and Sunday. More info can be found at sjrwmd.com

[kathyspear]

Are you talking about Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive? Its an 11 mile drive one way. Its managed by St Johns River Water Management District. Its only open Fridays, Sat and Sunday. More info can be found at sjrwmd.com

LOVE LOVE LOVE the wildlife drive at Lake Apopka. Highly recommended.

kathy

[Two Bills]

If you drive to Cape Canaveral, there are some biggies in that area.
We stayed one winter at Cocoa Beach, and played our golf at the The Cocoa Beach Country Club.
Biggest gators I have ever seen are around those three courses, plus plenty of other wildlife.
We loved playing there.

[kingfish2349]

Its a great drive and easy to get to

[Mamaderby]

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive...it’s wonderful. Part of the St.John’s River water district. It’s free but only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

[Karen Jackson]

We were told there is a 1 way road between The Villages and Orlando where you can see lots of Alligators. I believe I was told it was on an electric companies property. Does anyone know the name of this road? Thanks
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Go on a warm sunny day. It’s free. We’ve seen as many as 31 gators there!

[RoadToad]

HERE IS WHAT IS BEING ASKED FOR..

https://www.sjrwmd.com/static/lands/trailguides/Lake_Apopka_trail_map.pdf

All talk, no show..

[RoadToad]

We were told there is a 1 way road between The Villages and Orlando where you can see lots of Alligators. I believe I was told it was on an electric companies property. Does anyone know the name of this road? Thanks

In answer to your specific question..

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

Not really from Villages to Orlando.
Actually a oneway 11 mile drive from East to West along North shore waters edge of Lake Apopka.
Entrance is 40+ miles South of the Villages.

[Linda Taranto]

I've lived in TV for almost 15 years and never heard of this; thanks to everyone for your info on this.

[Gator_Girl]

With all due respect, Gatorland is not showing alligators in their natural habitat

[airstreamingypsy]

You can walk among them at the Orlando Wetlands Park, in Christmas, Florida. Seriously, I had to weave around about 20 of them on the trail. No dogs allowed, for obvious reasons. Orlando Wetlands Park - City of Orlando (https://www.orlando.gov/Parks-the-Environment/Directory/Wetlands-Park)

[chriskarst]

Just went to Gatorland 2 weeks ago. There were 3 adults & 3 kids - total cost $85! Plus free parking. Everyone enjoyed the day. Over 2000 gators in all sizes plus flamingos, snakes, petting area.

[Pairadocs]

Just go golfing, we saw a very large gator in a pond at Palmer yesterday. Sightings are becoming very common as their mating season is here.

Just pull off Buena Vista cart path near Palmer, LOTS of viewing of gators, you won't have to wait long, its time for them to mate.

[jimjamuser]

If you drive to Cape Canaveral, there are some biggies in that area.
We stayed one winter at Cocoa Beach, and played our golf at the The Cocoa Beach Country Club.
Biggest gators I have ever seen are around those three courses, plus plenty of other wildlife.
We loved playing there.
Large gators should always be trapped and removed from possible human contact. They are very docile during the daylight periods, but at night they can become fast-moving monsters that have zero fear of humans or anything. I once (before cell phones) had a car problem requiring me to walk for 5 miles on a partially submerged shell road AT NIGHT with no moonlight. That was the longest 5 miles ever. There was deep swamp on both sides of the road containing many large gators that were grunting and growling. I was NOT in a human environment anymore. I was definitely NOT the top predator there that night. It gave me a new perspective on alligators. People recently coming from up north think of gators as unique, interesting, amusing, and "cute". But, I would advise NOT walking around the golf courses at night or walking close to ANY ponds with tall grass in Florida at night.

[Two Bills]

Large gators should always be trapped and removed from possible human contact. They are very docile during the daylight periods, but at night they can become fast-moving monsters that have zero fear of humans or anything. I once (before cell phones) had a car problem requiring me to walk for 5 miles on a partially submerged shell road AT NIGHT with no moonlight. That was the longest 5 miles ever. There was deep swamp on both sides of the road containing many large gators that were grunting and growling. I was NOT in a human environment anymore. I was definitely NOT the top predator there that night. It gave me a new perspective on alligators. People recently coming from up north think of gators as unique, interesting, amusing, and "cute". But, I would advise NOT walking around the golf courses at night or walking close to ANY ponds with tall grass in Florida at night.

Apart from Stevie Wonder, I don't know anyone who plays golf at night in the dark!

[jimjamuser]

Apart from Stevie Wonder, I don't know anyone who plays golf at night in the dark!
Not to the point of my humble warning, but I am aware that teenage lovers can orbit toward golf courses or even cemeteries.

[philoret]

At the intersection of 301 and 44 billboard for drive through gator park attraction to the east.

[philoret]

correction -- to the west.

[PugMom]

Large gators should always be trapped and removed from possible human contact. They are very docile during the daylight periods, but at night they can become fast-moving monsters that have zero fear of humans or anything. I once (before cell phones) had a car problem requiring me to walk for 5 miles on a partially submerged shell road AT NIGHT with no moonlight. That was the longest 5 miles ever. There was deep swamp on both sides of the road containing many large gators that were grunting and growling. I was NOT in a human environment anymore. I was definitely NOT the top predator there that night. It gave me a new perspective on alligators. People recently coming from up north think of gators as unique, interesting, amusing, and "cute". But, I would advise NOT walking around the golf courses at night or walking close to ANY ponds with tall grass in Florida at night.

i think i would've slept int the car & wait for daylight, lol. thx for the info, will be looking for a nice drive:coolsmiley:

[Dantes]

Apopka wildlife drive-through hundreds of alligators and it’s free and it is not a park it is a state wildlife refuge they are wild alligators and water fowl no fences

[TomPerry]

We were told there is a 1 way road between The Villages and Orlando where you can see lots of Alligators. I believe I was told it was on an electric companies property. Does anyone know the name of this road? Thanks
Also try Emeralda Marsh Drive in Leesbury, only 18 miles away!

Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area – SJRWMD (https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/emeralda-marsh/)

[TomPerry]

Leesburg.

[MollyJo]

You can walk among them at the Orlando Wetlands Park, in Christmas, Florida. Seriously, I had to weave around about 20 of them on the trail. No dogs allowed, for obvious reasons. Orlando Wetlands Park - City of Orlando (https://www.orlando.gov/Parks-the-Environment/Directory/Wetlands-Park)

Seriously, walking around gators? I don’t understand this, I value all my limbs & every drop of blood pulsing through them...just sayin’

[KsJayhawkers]

Bring your cart down to Chitty Chatty...we have between six and ten gators around our ponds sunning themselves daily. They range in size from 3' to 9'.

[KsJayhawkers]

Large gators should always be trapped and removed from possible human contact. They are very docile during the daylight periods, but at night they can become fast-moving monsters that have zero fear of humans or anything. I once (before cell phones) had a car problem requiring me to walk for 5 miles on a partially submerged shell road AT NIGHT with no moonlight. That was the longest 5 miles ever. There was deep swamp on both sides of the road containing many large gators that were grunting and growling. I was NOT in a human environment anymore. I was definitely NOT the top predator there that night. It gave me a new perspective on alligators. People recently coming from up north think of gators as unique, interesting, amusing, and "cute". But, I would advise NOT walking around the golf courses at night or walking close to ANY ponds with tall grass in Florida at night.

I have to disagree with you about trapping the gators...we live in THEIR habitat and should respect them, but not fear them.

[larbud]

Apopka wild life drive is ridiculously busy,I’d rather drive I-4..

[Tmarkwald]

I have to disagree with you about trapping the gators...we live in THEIR habitat and should respect them, but not fear them.

You go right ahead and commune with nature.. I'll watch that episode on the series "I almost died!"

[kathyspear]

Apopka wild life drive is ridiculously busy,I’d rather drive I-4..

???

Is that a joke?

kathy