Naples, Florida
Camp on Fakahatchee Island
Originally added by Daniel Madrigal
Overnight trip. Unique and cool campsite. Cemetery. Ruins. Old Cistern. Hiking on island. Awesome mangrove tunnels. Challenging and fun paddle. Off the beaten path. Just outside Everglades NP so no permits required. Good fishing.
From Tamiami Trail, 5.2 miles west of Highway 29, turn left on the unmarked road. You will be able to leave you car here and launch. Follow the posted map closely as the mangrove tunnels are confusing, and you will probably get lost a few times anyways.
There is a series of 5 mangrove tunnels, with each one getting larger and more amazing as you go. It's 5.6 miles to Daniel's Point, and then a straight shot across the bay to Fakahatchee Island. You will find 2 campsites on the island, one is on the northern tip and the other on the eastern side. The Island has plenty of trails and ruins to explore.
This trip is a little off the grid and unmaintained so don't expect any company. Do some fishing on the way to the campsite and cook your fresh catch for dinner. The following morning, head back the same way you came. Remember to use tide charts and go with flow.
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A Unique Everglades Expereience
Fakahatchee Island is a fascinating Island to camp on for several reasons: 1) Its an artificial island, it was built by the local Native Americans using shells as the foundation for the island, 2) It used to be a more modern settlement, with remnants of houses and even an old cemetery with fairly modern headstones remaining, and 3) the flora on the island is unique and dangerous, including the pencil tree, a plant that when snapped produces nasty ooze that burns skin and can blind. Personally, I loved my time on Fakahatchee and would relish the opportunity to kayak the 10,000 Islands and camp there again.
