Look, there’s just way too much wildlife in Florida to have to resort to going to zoos or theme parks. We live in a damn jungle. So, if seeing gators and manatees in their natural habitat is your thing, here are some of the best ways to do it in the Sunshine State.

Silver Springs State Park 1425 NE 58th Ave., Ocala, 352-236-7148 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour, 30 minutes Turtles and birds aren’t the only animals you’ll spot from your kayak in these springs: ever since the 1930’s, a group of wild rhesus monkeys have called this place home. Photo via sophie_rosie/Instagram
Big Cat Rescue 12802 Easy St., Tampa, 813-920-4130 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour, 40 minutes Lions and tigers and leopards, oh my! But make sure you check this refuge’s website before you visit: They only offer tours with tickets purchased in advance. Photo via eliwheaton/Instagram
Moss Park 12901 Moss Park Road, Orlando, 407-254-6840 Estimated driving distance: 24 minutes You’re sure to spot some of Florida’s most prolific wildlife on this park’s nature trails, so keep your eyes peeled for white-tailed deer, sandhill cranes and, of course, alligators. Photo via birdseyedronesfl/Instagram
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park 102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, 305-451-6300 Estimated driving distance: 5 hours Preserving a portion of the only living coral reef in the continental U.S., this park offers some of the best ways to get up close to marine wildlife in Florida. If braving ocean waters gives you chills, try a glass-bottom boat tour instead to see the same colorful coral reef.   Photo via catire07/Instagram
Forever Florida 4755 N. Kenansville Road, St. Cloud, 407-957-9794 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour Whether you want to zipline over forested wetlands, ride a horse through some of Florida’s oldest herding trails or camp overnight under the stars, this 4,700-acre eco-ranch and wildlife conservation area offers an array of exciting ways to see the Sunshine State’s natural wonders. Photo via Karen_weagraff/Instagram
Seacrest Wolf Preserve 449 Bonnett Pond Road, Chipley, 850-773-2897 Estimated driving distance: 5 hours Packs and packs of playful wolves, foxes, racoons and skunks are waiting for you to book a tour at Seacrest Wolf Preserve. Don’t worry, Orlandoans — these furry friends have lived in the preserve since they were pups, so they’re accustomed to hangin’ with humans. Photo via seacrestwolfpack/Instagram
Audubon Center for Birds of Prey 1101 Audubon Way, Maitland, 407-644-0190 Estimated driving distance: 15 minutes Easily one of the foremost locations of study for bird lawyers and their cohorts, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey provides the Orlando area the chance to see some of the oldest predators on the planet. Photo via aledonir/Instagram
Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge 10525 Clapp Simms Duda Road, 407-568-5138 Estimated driving distance: 30 minutes This local refuge offers a hodgepodge of common and exotic animals, including a goat named Jennifer and a lemur named Thumbelina. Photo via _h_v_t_/Instagram
Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota, 641-371-6377 Estimated driving distance: 2 hours This ‘purrfectly’ adequate reason to swing through Sarasota houses over 35 various rescued big cats and other animals. Photo via m0mmy_inheels/Instagram
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary 2500 Jupiter Park Drive, Jupiter, 561-575-3399 Estimated driving distance: 2 hours, 19 minutes Providing much more than just a centralized location for Floridians to observe animals found in Florida’s nature, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary helps rehabilitate 5,000 animals that have been orphaned, hurt or in need of a helping hand for the purpose of reintroduction back into the wild. Photo via gab.abel/Instagram
Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge 8385 South US Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach, 321-723-3556 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour, 40 minutes This coastal habitat is home to a variety of migratory birds, reptiles, fish and mammals. But it is the sea turtle nesting grounds that make it special. Check online to make a reservation for a nighttime turtle walk, where you’ll get up close to one of the most endangered species in the world. Photo via itsnicolem/Instagram Photo taken as part of permitted research directed by UCF Marine Turtle Research Group
Caladesi Island State Park 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin, 727-469-5918 Estimated driving distance: 2 hours At Caladesi, you can kayak through mangroves searching for crustaceans and dolphins or stroll down white beaches looking for a reclusive gopher tortoise. Just don’t touch the little guys: They’re an endangered species. Photo via itsbritinibitch/Instagram
Black Hammock 2316 Black Hammock Fish Camp Road, Oviedo, 407-365-2201 Estimated driving distance: 25 minutes Lake Jesup has one of the largest alligator populations in Florida, and one of the best ways to spot these toothy creatures is with a Black Hammock airboat ride. Photo via hannadawnielle/Instagram
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge 12085 State Road 29 South, Immokalee, 239-657-8001 Estimated driving distance: 3 hours, 40 minutes True to its name, around 5 to 11 Florida panthers roam this refuge throughout the year. Visitors can hike two different trails to try and spot some of the big cat’s tracks: You probably don’t want to catch a glimpse of these kitties close up. Photo via friendsoftheflpantherrefuge/Instagram
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park 4732 Millhopper Road, Gainesville, 352-955-2008 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour, 50 minutes This forest sinkhole is 120 feet deep and leads down to a miniature rain forest overflowing with lush vegetation and wildlife, both new and old: Fossilized remains of extinct land animals have been found inside the cavity. Photo via devilsmillhopper/Instagram
Apalachicola National Forest State Road 13, Sopchoppy, 850-643-2282 Estimated driving distance: 4 hours, 30 minutes The largest forest in Florida is packed with wildlife, from white-tailed deer to wild turkeys. Just be careful on your hike: Black bears and alligators top the food chain in these woods. Photo via naturflorida/Instagram
De Leon Springs 601 Ponce de Leon Blvd., De Leon Springs, 386-985-4212 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour These springs stay 72 degrees year-round, making anytime a good time to search for butterflies and hummingbirds in the Butterfly Garden or to spy ospreys and gators on the Fountain of Youth eco/history boat tour. Photo via hong.da90.7/Instagram
Suwannee River State Park 3631 201st Path, Live Oak, 386-362-2746 Estimated driving distance: 2 hours, 45 minutes ”Way down upon de Swanee Ribber” you’ll find the real Florida. There aren’t any animals stuck behind cages here: Follow the trails and you’re sure to spot local fauna running free. Photo via Suwanee_wattsupeliza/Instagram
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Scrub Jay Way, Titusville, 321-861-5601 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour This refuge might be on NASA-owned land, but it’s not rocket science that visiting the 1,500 species of plants and animals calls for a pretty awesome afternoon. Photo via tiina.mai/Instagram
Suncoast Primate Sanctuary 4600 U.S. 19 Alt, Palm Harbor, 727-943-5897 Estimated driving distance: 2 hours Come monkey around with some of the jungle’s best swingers, including orangutans, chimpanzees, baboons and spider monkeys. Photo via huntergathered/Instagram
Genesis Zoological & Wildlife Rescue 747 Howard Road, Auburndale, 863-965-8706 Estimated driving distance: 50 minutes Visit Friday through Sunday for your only chance to see a majestic white Siberian tiger and a pot-bellied pig named Porker in the same afternoon. Photo via Memphus Phillips/Facebook
National Key Deer Refuge 28950 Watson Blvd, Big Pine Key, 305-872-2239 Estimated driving distance: 6 hours It might be a long drive, but it’s worth it for any animal lover looking to see a one-of-a-kind species: The only place in the world you’ll see endangered Key deer is on these Florida islands. Photo via mermaidd_love/Instagram
Blue Spring State Park 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, 386-775-3663 Estimated driving distance: 45 minutes Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge and the winter home one of Florida’s favorite mammals. The best time to catch a glimpse of these gentle sea cows? Manatee season lasts until the end of March. Photo via natgeotravel/Instagram
Everglades National Park 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, 305-242-7700 Estimated driving distance: 4 hours Are you a real Floridian if you’ve never visited the most famous natural wonder in the state? The winter dry season, which lasts until April, is the perfect time to come and explore these trails crawling with alligators, marsh rabbits, water birds and other Sunshine State locals. Photo via de.joycie/Instagram