Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area
Managed in cooperation with the South Florida Water Management District.
Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) consists of over 30,000 acres at the southern end of the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades basin. The WEA is located in Miami-Dade County adjacent to the C-111 Canal between Everglades National Park and U.S. 1.
The area was acquired to protect wildlife habitat and as part of Everglades restoration. The major natural communities on the Southern Glades WEA are sawgrass marsh, marl prairie and tree islands. The marl prairies are home to some of the last remaining populations of the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow. The tree islands are more tropical in nature than tree islands in the northern part of the Everglades and support more tropical hardwoods and rare plants.
Bird watching is popular on Southern Glades, especially along the northwest corner of Aerojet Road. Wading birds are common and include the endangered wood stork and the roseate spoonbill. This area is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. October through April is the best time to see migrating and overwintering birds.
Add your bird observations to the Southern Glades WEA eBird Hotspot.
In general, hunting on the area is considered poor. Fishing is very good in or along the banks of the C-110 and C-111 canals and there are 4 fishing piers on Aerojet Road.
On the area are two hiking trails totaling 16 miles. One begins on CR 424, 1.8 miles west of U.S. 1. The second trail is about two miles west of the first trail. Aerojet Road and the canal levees for the C-111, C-111E, and C-110 canals are available for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Children under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet when horseback riding on public lands. For more detailed information go to Nicole's Law. All horseback riders must have proof of current negative Coggins Test results for their horses when on state lands.
Camping and use of ATVs are prohibited.
Rules Regarding Dogs
- For purposes other than hunting, dogs are prohibited.
- For regulations regarding hunting dogs, see FWC's regulations summary brochure.
More Information
- Visit South Florida Water Management District's Southern Glades webpage.
- View FWC's regulations summary brochure for Southern Glades WEA for an area map, hunting seasons, permits, fees and area regulations.