Reachable only from the adjacent CREW Cypress Dome Trails property, Caracara Prairie Preserve is jointly managed by Conservation Collier and the CREW Land and Water Trust.
Purchased in 2007, this land became publicly accessible in 2012, after an outstanding effort by volunteers and CREW Trust staff to map out and mark the trail system.
The loop within the preserve is blazed redProtecting over 360 acres, this preserve stands along an edge of the vast Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.
It provides a buffer from nearby development and a vital habitat for endangered species.
Interpretive sign alongside a prairieResources
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Overview
Location: Immokalee
Length: 5.3 miles
Trailhead: 26.456468, -81.562205
Address: 3980 Corkscrew Rd, Immokalee
Fees: Free, donations accepted
Restrooms: Portable at trailhead
Land manager: Collier County, CREW Land & Water Trust
Phone: 904-374-1107
Open one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset. No pets allowed.
This property has active cattle ranching operations. The preserve is only accessible via a walk-through gate from the adjacent CREW Cypress Dome Trails.
Directions
From Interstate 75 in Estero, head east on Corkscrew Rd for 13.9 miles. The trailhead for the CREW Cypress Dome Trails is located on the right side of the road.
Hike
Starting near a trio of benches at the CREW Cypress Dome Trails trailhead, turn south to follow a wide, grassy pathway bordered by a dense wall of saw palmettos.
Posts topped with green paint mark the route as it passes a large picnic pavilion, then curves eastward to provide a close-up glimpse of an impressive cypress dome
Cypress dome on the Green TrailNear the one-mile mark, stay straight to join the White Trail, continuing for another tenth of a mile before taking a right turn. Pass through a gate into Caracara Prairie Preserve.
Inside the gate, a small bridge leads to a covered kiosk with information about the property and a trail map.
Preserve gateRed painted posts indicate the trail as it traces along a tree line, then turns southward to climb into a berm lined with columns of cabbage palms.
Interpretive signs along the way display pictures of the many birds and butterflies that inhabit the preserve.
Reaching the loop portion of the trail at 1.5 miles, stay straight to enter a deeply shaded oak and palm hammock with an inviting picnic bench.
Trailside picnic benchAt 1.8 miles, the trail squeezes through a narrow stile, crossing a patch of open pasture before leading into another lush hammock.
Thoughtfully placed benches provide spots to rest where the path skirts along the edges of scenic depression marshes.
Oak and palm hammockSlash pines begin to dot the landscape near the southern end of the loop as the trail weaves through flatwoods habitat.
It turns northward to follow a broad corridor flanked by tall grasses. Look for colorful wildflowers along the edge of the mowed pathway.
Patch of pine forestOpening to panoramic views of a wet prairie and a decision point at 3.5 miles, continue across the marshy expanse, or take a cross trail back to the western side if the water is too deep.
Completing the loop on the other side of the prairie, retrace footsteps back to the property gate, following white posts back to the Green Trail.
A trip back to the trailhead can be shortened by 0.3 miles by taking the north side of the loop.
Prairie pathwayTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about the CREW Cypress Dome Trails
CREW Cypress Dome Trails On this 4.4 mile loop, experience an impressive array of habitats in Florida panther habitat - from sandy flatwoods to flooded cypress swamps - in the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.Video
Hiking Caracara Prairie Preserve
Nearby Adventures
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