24 Jun We Found the Best Sunset Spot in Broward County (And It’s Not the Beach)
This Father’s Day, we did something a little different.
Most years, “celebrating Dad” around here means a nice dinner and maybe a walk on the beach afterward, which is lovely, and exactly what we’d planned. But my husband had a better idea: skip the coast entirely and drive into the Everglades instead.
So that’s what we did.
The Plan: Dinner First, Sunset Second
We started the evening at Luka Restaurant & Coffee Bar in Plantation. It is a cozy, family-run spot with Latin American flavors (think arepas, empanadas, picanha steak), very child-friendly, no one batted an eye at two 8-year-olds ordering virgin “fancy drinks” in tall glasses and getting genuinely excited about it.
From there, it was about a 20-minute drive to a spot most people drive right past without knowing it’s there: the Sawgrass Trailhead at Atlantic Boulevard, right where the road dead-ends into the levee on the Coral Springs/Tamarac line.
You don’t need get on an airboat. You don’t need a reservation. It’s really just a dirt road, a chain-link fence, and the edge of the Everglades.
What We Found
We weren’t expecting much beyond “some grass and water,” honestly. What we got instead was one of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll see in South Florida. And we’ve seen a lot of South Florida sunsets.
The clouds were very dramatic that evening, heavy and textured, with the sun breaking through in these incredible gold-and-orange streaks across the swamp. The boys ran ahead down the trail while we walked behind, and at one point we just stood there in silence watching the sky change color over the water.
Bonus was seeing an alligator just as we were leaving. Did you even go to the Everglades if you didn’t see an alligator?!
Why This Beats a Beach Sunset
Beach sunsets in Fort Lauderdale are gorgeous, but they’re also crowded and they’re east facing, so not ideal. The trailhead is the opposite. Lots of space, didn’t feel crowded at all, and west facing. No crowds, no noise, just open sky and saw grass for miles.
There’s also something about watching a sunset over wetlands instead of ocean that feels completely different, wilder, less postcard, more actual Florida.
If You Want to Go
Where: Sawgrass Trailhead at Atlantic Boulevard, at the far western end of Atlantic Blvd, Coral Springs/Tamarac line. Just keep heading west past University Drive until the road ends at the levee gate.
When: Go about an hour before sunset to give yourself time to walk out and find a spot. Sunset in late June runs around 8:15 PM in South Florida, check actual sunset time before you head out, since it shifts.
What to bring: *Quick note: I’ve linked to products I actually use and recommend.
Some are affiliate links, meaning I earn a tiny commission if you buy
(at no extra cost to you!). It helps fund our adventures. 💙*
- Bug spray (non-negotiable — it’s the Everglades at dusk)
- Comfortable walking shoes — it’s dirt trail, not pavement
- UBFEN Sneakers Barefoot Shoes
- TIOSEBON Women’s Athletic Walking Shoes
- Brooks Women’s Revel 8
- Water
- A camera, obviously
Good to know: There are no restroom facilities at the trailhead itself, so plan your stop before you arrive. It’s a quiet, low-key spot, no concessions, no crowds, just nature doing its thing. We stuck close to the trailhead for the sunset, but if you’re feeling more adventurous, the Sawgrass Trailhead is actually the starting point for a 10.7-mile point-to-point trail popular with hikers, bikers, and birders. We didn’t go nearly that far, sunset and a short walk was plenty for us on that night, but it’s there if you want to make a longer day of it.
Plan Your Visit
📍 Sawgrass Trailhead at Atlantic Boulevard, Coral Springs, FL 33321
🕐 Open daily 8:00 AM – sunset (all parks close at sunset on holidays)
🚫 No restroom facilities on site — plan accordingly
🎟 Free, no reservations or tickets required
🥾 Unpaved walking trail — wear real shoes, not flip-flops
🌐 coralsprings.gov/Parks-Directory/Sawgrass-Trailhead
📞 (954) 357-6634
The Takeaway
We almost didn’t go. It would have been easier to just do the usual beach dinner-and-walk. But some of the best family moments come from the detour, not the default plan, and this was one of those nights the boys will probably remember longer than any restaurant on the beach we could have picked.
Add it to your summer list. You won’t regret the drive.
Want more local South Florida adventure ideas? We’re working our way through a full summer bucket list this year, follow along @messylittlehomeschool for more.
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