Turner River Road is a well maintained, dirt road, passable by ordinary cars in dry weather, which heads north from Tamiami Trail (US-41) near the western end of Big Cypress Preserve and into a less developed area. Following along the Turner River Canal, it provides an excellent opportunity to see lots of Everglades wildlife. Turner River Road is actually the first leg of a 17 mile (27k) scenic loop which also includes Upper Wagonwheel and Birdon Roads.
While wildlife spotting is always best in the morning and evening, our travels only permitted a visit during midday. Nevertheless, we saw many alligators, turtles, anhinga, herons and egrets along the canals as we enjoyed the backdrop of the surrounding sawgrass prairie, dotted with stands of cabbage palms and slash pines, with the occasional red-shouldered hawk overhead.
While we drove the entire loop, the Turner River Road portion was certainly the best part and if one is limited on time, or prefers less driving along dirt roads, an out and back trip of a few miles on this road alone will provide one a good feel for the area. Also, be sure to visit the boardwalk at H.P. Williams Roadside Park at the corner of Tamiami Trail and Turner River Road.