When planning your next family vacation in Kissimmee, I suggest venturing outside of the theme parks and spending a day exploring the Florida Eco Safaris on Crescent J Ranch. Nestled in a 4700 acre conservation park, Forever Florida is home to not only a working cattle ranch and nature preserve, but one of the most thrilling adventures you will find outside of the theme parks: Ziplining and Eco Safaris!
With brand new viewing platforms, the Ziplining Safari at Florida Eco Safaris takes you through a ziplining tour that reaches heights of 68 feet, with courses that reach speeds up to 30 mph! Your 2 1/2 hour long trek through the treetops also includes two sky-bridges passing over a slough, a type of forested wetland.
Florida Eco Safaris’ Zipline Safari is the biggest and the safest zipline course in Central Florida, with 7 individual ziplines – with the longest individual zip measuring 682 feet!
One of the most unique zips at Florida Eco Safaris is the Rattlesnake zip – it is the only roller coaster style zipline in the United States. There is only one other in the entire world!
I suffer from motion sickness so I didn’t try it, but my traveling companions say that you actually catch air on this zip!
In addition to the amazing zipline course, the Forever Florida conservation area offers a 2 hour Coach Safari and a Horseback Safari.
Being a lover of all things wildlife, the Coach Safari was by far one of my favorite activities while visiting Kissimmee.
Our guide, Leslie, gave us the history of Forever Florida, which is part of the Allen Broussard Conservancy, established in 1990 to protect and preserve the Florida wetlands.
The 4,700 acre Forever Florida wildlife conservation area is made up of nine distinct Florida ecosystems, including natural flora and fauna specific to the region.
Wildlife found on the land include the American Alligator, black bears, white-tail deer and nearly two hundred different species of birds! While we didn’t happen to come across any, the endangered Florida panther also roam the land.
In addition to offering the public adventurous activities like ziplining and informative Eco Safari tours, the Forever Florida Conservancy also houses the Crescent J Ranch! Situated on 3,200 acres of the Allen Broussard Conservancy, the Crescent J Ranch is a working cattle ranch, with Florida Cracker Cattle who are completely free-range and pasture-raised (grass fed).
Fun fact: Did you know that Florida has its own breed of cattle and horse? Brought to Florida by the Spaniards in the 1500′s, the Spanish Colonial horse and cattle are now also known as Cracker Cattle and Cracker Horses! The Cracker Cattle on the Crescent J Ranch are direct descendants of the very cattle that were brought to Florida 500 years ago!
All net profits from the activities at Florida Eco Safaris go towards maintaining the Forever Florida through the Allen Broussard Conservancy.
You can find out more about their efforts here.
EcoPark Zipline Safari Hours and Admission Information
- Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm
- Pricing: $85 for adults and children ages 10+
- Weight requirements: 70 lb min and 275 lb max
Advance reservations are required – call 866 85-4-EVER (3837) or visit Florida Eco Safaris for more information.
Written by Jenn, author of The Rebel Chick and Happy Travels, a travel-loving mom living in sunny South Florida. You can follow Jenn on Facebook or on Twitter @TheRebelChick.
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That would be a relaxing enjoyable ride to see the park like that.
It really was! The scenery was so beautiful, it was just as relaxing as it was informative!
I love zip lining I want to take my oldest son one day.
Holy catfish! Those ziplines can handle 275 lbs.
Regular ziplining scares me. I’m not sure about roller coaster style!
I couldn’t even do it. LOL I wanted to try it but knew I would get motion sick!
exhilarating and peaceful all at the same time
Looks like fun!
I would like to think I’d do this, but not sure if I really would. I’m a wee bit afraid of heights.
What an adventure, I’m such a scaredy cat but I think I’d love to do this one day!
That looks like fun. I have never been ziplining, although my children got to do it in Las Vegas down Fremont Street.
Oh, this looks like fun!
Sounds like scary fun!
So much fun!!! We are visiting Kissimmee in May so I’ll have to check this place out.
I’ve only been once but really liked it.
I’d LOVE to go on the safari! I’d be a little too scared about the ziplining though
I love ziplining
I haven’t ever been ziplining but I would absolutely love to, especially as a date adventure just hubs and I. The safari would be a great activity for the entire family! Our kids just love animals.
Looks exciting!
It looks amaizng …. but, yeah. I’m WAY too chicken!
I’ve never ziplined before, but want to try it!
Sounds like so much fun.
I loved ziplining there, it was so much fun!
this looks so fun but I know I would be super scared. My daughter would LOVE to see all those cows though
Looks like fun!