On the western fringe of Florida’s massive Everglades eco-system, the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge anchors the range for rare and endangered Florida panthers who roam here.
For hundreds of years, towering cypress trees up to 130 feet tall and 25 feet in circumference dominated the landscape of what is now Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge.
Logging of cypress trees in this swath of Southwest Florida began in 1944, and by 1957, the last of the trees were harvested, laying bare the eco-system that harbors the Florida Panther.
The 26,400-acre refuge is the core of occupied panther territory today, and it was established to ensure that panthers and their remaining habitat are protected.
While only about 20 panthers are thought to be actually living in the refuge at any one time, it is preserved to provide a corridor for panthers to travel to and from the broader Big Cypress Basin.
An estimated 200-230 panthers are believed to remain throughout the state, concentrated in that area of Southwest Florida.
Hiking in the Florida Panther Wildlife Refuge
There are two trail loops, one a modest 1/3-mile that is wheel-chair accessible, and the other an unimproved 1 1/3-mile trek that goes deeper into the refuge. This second trail often floods in summer. Be sure to close the gates behind you.
The trails are open seven days a week, sunrise to sunset, and no permits or fees are required.
Both trails allow hikers to experience hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods and wet prairies that are common throughout the Everglades. You will also see evidence of the cypress forest re-establishing itself.
Things to look for: Wildflowers in late winter and early spring; deer, bear, and occasional panther tracks; a possible glimpse of a red-shoulder hawk, swallow-tailed kite or osprey. Keep your eyes out for orchids, too. There are 27 species of native orchids in the refuge.
The trails are accessible from State Road 29, a quarter-mile north of Alligator Alley. One is an
unimproved 1.3-mile trail that may be closed seasonally due to flooding, the other is a 0.3 mile improved trail that is wheelchair accessible.
If you see a Florida panther
Panthers are rarely seen in the refuge, although it’s possible, and the refuge advises that if you do see a panther, follow these guidelines:
- Keep children within sight and close to you. Pick up small children.
- Give the panther space. Give them a way to escape.
- Do not run. Stand and face the animal.
- Avoid crouching or bending over.
- Appear larger. Open your jacket.
- Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back.
Hikes near Florida Panther Wildlife Refuge:
Big Cypress National Preserve
Accessible from Alligator Alley and State Road 29, the 1,200 square mile Big Cypress National Preserve boasts a wide variety of Everglades eco-systems, not the least of which are cypress swamps, a favorite haunt for the panther. For backpackers, there are three primitive campgrounds along these trails.
The first access point is from a parking area at Mile Marker 70 on I-75. At first sight, access appears restricted by the chain-link fence that parallels the highway, but at the rear of the parking area is a gate that opens up to miles of trails for your enjoyment.
A second access point is a few miles up the road on U.S. 29. After you exit I-75 (Exit 80), drive about a mile north on 29 and you’ll see a nondescript chain-link gate on the right that opens into a sand lot where you have to leave your vehicle. The trailhead, a park-service road, has a gate that blocks all but refuge vehicles.
The U.S. 29 trailhead is the best access point for overnight backpackers. The hike to the nearest campground, known as Pink Jeep, is just two miles.
If you plan to hike into this backcountry, fill out a backcountry permit and leave it in the box at the gate, and notify friends or family of your plans. (Yes, you can get lost!)
You should also be aware that Bear Island is a popular area for off-road vehicles, swamp buggies and the like, especially on weekends. They take a roundabout route to get here, a bumpy 20-mile park service road that originates on the Tamiami Trail.
Hikers may also want to avoid the area during hunting season.
You can read more about camping in this area by referencing this article: RV, Tent and Backcountry Camping in Florida’s Everglades
Collier-Seminole State Park
If you plan to car-camp or camp in an RV, Collier-Seminole State Park is a great spot to anchor your panther-oriented weekend. There are also primitive campsites available to backpackers and along kayak/canoe trails.
The park has three designated trails, a mile-long nature trail, a 3.5-mile off-road bike trail also accessible to hikers, and a 6.5-mile hiking trail for the more adventurous.
The park offers recreational facilities for boating, fishing, a playground, picnic areas, a nature center, restrooms and it even has showers for day visitors.
As an added benefit, Collier-Seminole home to a national historic landmark, the 1924 Bay City Walking Dredge, which was used to help build the Tamiami Trail through the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp, linking Miami to Tampa.
To visit Collier-Seminole State Park, follow State Road 29 south to the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41), and turn right (west). The entrance is a few miles west on 41.
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State park
The 75,000-acre Fakahatchee Strand is dubbed “the Amazon of North America,” so that should provide a clue or two about back-country hiking here, especially during the rainy season.
There is a “drive thru” option, and during the winter months (November to March), guided swamp walks are conducted by park rangers and volunteers.
But for most people, the 1.2-mile (round trip) boardwalk trail at Big Cypress Bend is the most accessible and, therefore, most popular. The boardwalk is on Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41), 7 miles west of SR 29 on the right side.
The main ranger station is on SR 29, about 15 miles south of Alligator Alley in the sparsely populated community of Copeland. From here, you can access Janes Scenic Drive, a graded but unimproved logging road that will take you 11 miles into the wilderness.
There are dozens of trails along the drive that take you deeper into this cypress swamp forest, which is recovering well from the clear-cut logging activities of the last century. You can obtain trail maps from the ranger station.
Nearby panther habitats:
- Big Cypress National Preserve
- Fakahatchee Strand Preserve
- Collier-Seminole State Park
- Everglades National Park
- Picayune Strand Preserve,
- Okaloacoochee Slough
- Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area
Bob Rountree is a beach bum and camper who has explored Florida for decades. Bob and his wife Kathy live in South Florida and roam the Sunshine State in their RV with kayaks and bicycles on board. A retired news editor for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Bob co-founded FloridaRambler.com with fellow journalist Bonnie Gross in 2010.