Within the humid depths of Fakahatchee Strand, nature is free to work its magic.
From the ancient cypress trees of Big Cypress Bend to the delicate Fakahatchee ladies tresses dangling from branches deep within the swamp, natural diversity runs wild.
Epiphytes thrive in the strand’s humiditySomething’s always in bloom in the depths of the Fakahatchee, from frosted flower orchids to tillandsia fasciculata.
There are fourteen types of bromeliads, and 36 varieties of ferns.
Hammocks of royal palms grow along the edges of cypress-lined sloughs. It’s a botanist’s delight, truly the Amazon of North America.
A place for wildlife watching, tooResources
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Overview
Location: Copeland
Trailhead: 25.95145, -81.36039
Address: 137 Coastline Dr, Copeland
Fees: $3 per vehicle
Restroom: By the visitor center
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 239-961-1925
Open 8 AM until sunset daily. Leashed pets welcome except where signage says no. If you bring a pet, keep in mind Florida’s largest predators live here.
Wildlife seen frequently in this park includes large alligators and bears, with panthers spotted on occasion. All have been seen on Janes Scenic Drive.
A walking stick is prudent. Insect protection is a must, as mosquitoes can be fierce.
Directions
From Interstate 75 exit 80 east of Naples, drive south on SR 29 for 14.6 miles to Janes Scenic Drive. Turn right and drive a mile to the park entrance and its small visitor center. The park’s East River Paddle Trail and the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk are along US 41. Instead of turning in at Janes Scenic Drive continue south on SR 29 to the US 41 junction outside Everglades City and drive west. There is signage and parking areas at both locations. Big Cypress Bend is 6.9 miles west of SR 29.
About the Park
The botanical delights of this watery wilderness include the largest number of the United States rarest species, including a record number of Florida royal palms.
There are endemic freshwater sponges, fourteen types of native bromeliads, and 44 different species of orchids.
On a guided hike, a ranger points out a vanilla orchidAmong them is the holy grail of orchid-lovers, the elusive ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii).
Exploring these vast wilds takes a bit of nerve and wilderness savvy, except for one gentle introduction: Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk off US 41 west of Everglades City.
Viewing platform at Big Cypress BendA new entrance and boardwalk showcasing the vast River of Grass leads to the under-reconstruction original elevated walkway in an ancient cypress strand.
There are interpretive stops along the route, a viewing platform with benches and scopes for birding, and plenty of panoramas to photograph.
Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk Discover fresh perspectives on the abundance of tropical habitats at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park on the newly reconfigured Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk.Fewer people explore within the main portion of the park. It’s main entrance is off SR 29 north of Everglades City and US 41.
From a small visitor center, Janes Scenic Drive provides primary access to the backcountry by vehicle. It’s unpaved, narrow, and rough.
Driving Janes Scenic DriveHowever, it’s worth following for wildlife sightings and is necessary to drive for access to hiking in the strand. A pulloff area adjoins West Main.
A gate now crosses the road at East Main. Park there to hike that trail or to head farther out on Janes Scenic Drive.
Cypress swamps along Janes Scenic DriveIt’s a 9.3 mile round-trip from the gate to the park’s boundary gate with Picayune Strand State Forest at the end of Janes Scenic Drive.
A mountain bike is a must, especially if you want to explore any tramways along it or even a little of the the Uplands Hiking Trail.
Grassy boundary between public landsHiking and Biking
At designated gates, hikers can ramble former logging tramways into tropical hammock, prairie, and strand swamp.
Beware of stepping off the tramways unless you’re on a guided trip. It’s too easy to get lost.
Dense vegetation makes line-of-sight inside the strand impossibleNon-tram hiking trails include East Prairie Trail near the start of Janes Scenic Drive, which sweeps northward into the prairie.
More difficult to reach is the Uplands Hiking Trail from its trailhead at the back gate with adjoining Picayune Strand State Forest.
Prairie on the Uplands Hiking TrailBoth are remnants of a greater loop built by Florida Trail Association volunteers over two decades ago.
Neither may be maintained at all, although ATV tracks from rangers may make an obvious path.
Use a GPS or map app to track your route if you try them so you can find your way back the way you came.
An orange blaze persists along the route in 2015In 1966, the first scouting party to figure out a route for the Florida Trail painted markers through Fakahatchee Strand while blazing a route to Corkscrew Strand.
Led by Jim Kern, the group included noted biologist and environmental advocate Mel Finn, who is memorialized with a monument near the visitor center as the “Father of the Fakahatchee.”
Mel Finn memorialMost hikers tackle round-trips on East Main Tram or West Main Tram from Janes Scenic Drive.
Or a guided tour or walk, offered during certain seasons. These include swamp walks into the heart of the strand.
Some are led by staff, others by volunteers with the Friends of Fakahatchee Strand. Check the Friends website, or contact the park office for details.
Along East MainTrail Map
Yellow: trams and roads shown on park map that we haven’t scouted (may be overgrown).
Explore More
Adding to the Life List (7/21/2015) Although John is a native Floridian, our research trip to South Florida became an opportunity for him to see many natural "firsts" in Florida that most people have on their life lists.
Stranding Steves at Fakahatchee (7/14/2015) Exploring Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park for a chapter of a new book we're writing, a pair of park rangers named Steve guide us to the park's beauty spots
The Ghost Orchid (7/13/2015) On a guided swamp walk into the Fakahatchee Strand, I discover how difficult it is to spot a ghost orchid on your own, let alone keep your bearings in this tangled tropical wildernessVideo
Our explorations at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Slideshow
See our photos from Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Nearby Adventures
Big Cypress National Preserve Protecting nearly three quarters of the million-acre Big Cypress Swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve is Florida's second largest and most remote wilderness. 
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge Explore the habitat of Florida's apex predator on a pair of short hiking trails in one small corner of the vast territory that the endangered Florida panther roams.
Ten Thousand Islands Marsh Trail On the Marsh Trail, immerse yourself in the mangrove maze of the Ten Thousand Islands on a trail that takes you to places you'd normally only see from a boat. 
Collier-Seminole State Park Protecting the largest natural hammock of royal palms in the United States, Collier-Seminole State Park opened in 1947 south of Naples along the Tamiami Trail.
- Hal Scott Red Trail - November 13, 2026
- Baseline Trails - November 7, 2026
- Hal Scott Yellow Trail - November 3, 2026