I grew up in this area, and the Manatee Viewing Center has a special place in my heart. Major accessibility improvements were completed several years ago. There is a 900-feet-long accessible walkway that leads through mangroves and out to the tidal zone. It is a part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, too, but is perhaps best known for the opportunity to view manatees. The center is only open from November through April. Be aware that it can be loud (and busy) along the tidal walk. Audio announcements play regularly, and the Big Bend Power Station operates here; the warm water discharge is what draws dozens of manatees during the winter.
For more accessible trail guides for Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho, visit the Disabled Hikers website. And if you're looking for birding locations specifically, check out the Birdability Location Explorer, created by Birdability and the National Audubon Society.
Jump back to the All Access issue.
Syren Nagakyrie is the founder of Disabled Hikers, a nonprofit organization building disability community and justice in the outdoors. As a longtime disabled activist and community builder, Syren is committed to building a movement of disabled leadership in the outdoors. They are the author of "The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Northern California" (2024) and "The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Western Washington and Oregon" (2022) and have written for The New York Times, Tripadvisor, and many more.
