Canoeing - Kayaking - Rafting - Fishing

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Al V
West Lake Park, Hollywood FL USA
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Our Route Summary

  • Submitted by: Al Vazquez
  • Date Submitted: 5/99
  • Email: alvazquez@kayakguide.com
  • Location: Hollywood FL
  • Class: 1500 acre tidal Mangrove wetland canals
  • Distance Paddled: Four trails 0.6 to 1.2 miles each round trip
  • Water: salt
  • Wildlife: Many birds (gulls, Herons, Ospreys, Pelicans, etc.), fiddler crabs, fish, Mangroves

Entry and Exit

West Lake Park
1200 Sheridan Street
Hollywood, FL 33019

954-357-5161

WestLakePark@broward.org

  • Directions:
    • I-95
    • Exit onto Sheridan Street east
      • Pass US 1 (Federal Highway)
    • Enter West Lake Park on the south side (right) of Sheridan St.
  • Fee: weekends only
  • Description: paved boat ramps with floating docks at Holland Park
  • Parking: Adjacent, paved
  • Facilities: Restrooms, excellent nature center, picnic areas, nature trails, observation tower, canoe rentals, boat tours, snacks and refreshments

What We Saw

West Lake Park is a great way to view a tidal Mangrove wetland easily from the water as well as from nature trails and exhibits.

The park is very well organized with marked paddling trails (and walking trails). West Lake spans both sides of Sheridan Street as shown on the map at left ( from the free Waterway Trail Guide available at the marina or nature center). We kayaked all 4 colored-coded paddling routes which are well marked with color keyed signs like the one below. What could be easier!

A nice route is to explore the Green or White paddling trails at Holland Park, then take the Red Trail to the end at the Nature Center. You can get off at the Nature Center's beach landing, have lunch, go up the observation tower, then continue paddling to the Blue trail and back to the launch area at Holland Park.

Some of the trails become too shallow to paddle in places when the water is low, so check with the rangers first if you want to avoid walking your canoe or kayak in places.

If you got your canoe or kayak from an equipment leasing or renting business I would highly recommend consulting with the rangers ahead of time. Being informed can prevent damaging a kayak that you don't own!
The Red Trail has some nice Mangrove tunnels that kids and adults alike enjoy. The Blue trail had scores of tiny fiddler crabs that scatter if they see you, but cautiously emerge from their holes again if you sit still and watch.

Please do not disembark except at the nature center or launch area.

Fishing from your kayak or canoe is permitted with a valid saltwater license.

Please stay clear of the powered nature tour boat in the area, especially when it returns to the nature center via the Red trail. You'll notice separate channels to the Red trail for the nature boat and for paddlers to help maintain safe distance.