Part of an overall plan to protect nearly 600 acres of land in a swampy slough known as Horsepen Strand, Panther Walk Preserve is an ongoing conservation project.
Starting in 2007, small pieces of land have been acquired across the area, with over 50 acres currently under protection.
This short trail near the southeastern edge of the strand allows the public to take a glimpse into the remains of precious wetlands that once covered vast areas of South Florida.
Expect a wet walk in this preserveResources
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Overview
Location: Naples
Length: 0.5 mile round-trip
Trailhead: 26.341583, -81.551472
Address: 2845 60th Ave NE, Naples
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Collier County
Phone: 239-252-2982
Open sunrise to sunset. No dogs allowed.
Directions
Exit Interstate 75 at Immokalee Rd in Naples and head east 10 miles before turning right onto Oil Well Rd. After 3.1 miles, make a left at Everglades Blvd. Continue 3.4 miles, then turn left at 60th Ave NE. In 0.3 mile, the trailhead will be on the right side of the road. The south shoulder of the road is more suitable for parking.
Hike
Descending the roadside embankment and passing the Panther Walk Preserve sign, follow a faint path leading across a small grassy clearing toward a distinct line of cypress trees.
This is a swamp walk. It is likely most times of the year that the trail will be under water before you reach the strand swamp.
Preserve signYellow trail markers affixed to the trees lead the way through a jungle of cabbage palms, wax myrtles, and countless ferns.
After heavy rains, dark waters obscure the forest floor as a mirrored sheen reflects the pillars of forest trees against the sky above.
Trail markerAir plants cling to any vegetation with a rough surface to root on, producing unique clusters of flowers at the end of long stalks.
Bright red lichens add vibrant splashes of color, spreading across the gray, flaky bark of cypress trees.
Cardinal airplant on cypressThe lowest point along the trail is around a tenth of a mile from the entrance, where the vegetation is thickest, and the water can be deep.
Picking your way through tall grasses and ferns, the trail opens to a marshy area where the canopy is less dense.
Through the fernsSeveral trail cameras mounted to trees along the route provide researchers with photos of native wildlife, including black bears, fox squirrels, and Florida panthers.
Although spotting a panther here while hiking would be highly unlikely, deer often bound through the forest, splashing loudly as they dart across the swampy landscape.
Trail cameraReaching 0.2 miles, the trail climbs onto slightly higher ground, weaving through a stand of pines before tracing along the edge of a slough and reaching the end at 62nd Avenue.
From this point, follow the trail markers back through the cypress swamp for a quarter mile before returning to the trailhead.
Higher groundTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Panther Walk Preserve
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