Name: Fakahatchee Swamp Walk and Camping at Big Cypress National Park
Start: 2025-01-11T17:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-01-14T14:00:00-05:00

If you have never been to the Everglades National Park, this is a must see for every Floridian. People from all over the world come here because there is no where else on the planet like the everglades and it's in your own backyard! This adventure will be a magical experience in the Florida Everglades.

Monday and Tuesday's hiking could be in up to thigh deep water, however the water is clear and the footing is solid limestone. Swamp walks last about four hours. Wear sturdy lace-up sneakers, light weight long pants and long sleeved shirt.

Camping at Monument Lake is $72 without discounts for the 3 nights Jan 11th - Jan 14th. I have reserved tent site #4 and as of today (9-18-24) all tent sites are available. Two tents are allowed on each site so you can share with someone and split the cost. I would make your camping reservation as soon as possible because winter is the prime camping season in the everglades.

Saturday we will drive and camp at Monument Lake Campground in the Big Cypress National Park part of the Everglades National Park, about 5 hours from Orlando. There are several short nature walks in to the Everglades to explore on Sunday. Monday we will hike a 5 mile out and back on the Gator Hook Trail. On Tuesday an Orchid Expert Ranger will lead a swamp walk for *our group only* into the "Amazon of North America." There are 18 orchids that will be blooming in January and all are threatened or endangered. There is more than just orchids in the Fakahatchee, birds and wildlife are plentiful too.

The Fakahatchee is part of the Everglades ecosystem that streams down from Lake Okeechobee to the Florida Keys. It's the largest strand swamp in the world, a 19-mile long channel cut 2 to 3 feet deep into a limestone bed.

The natural values of the Fakahatchee are arguably greater than those of any other comparably-sized area in Florida. It contains the largest stand of royal palms and the largest concentration and variety of orchids in North America, as well as other species of plants that are extremely rare.

The option for only the Swamp Walk and not camping is $125 please email me for details. You will have to be at the Fakahatchee Park by 8:30 am.

**Fees:** $125 for the swamp walk and $72 for camping. Pay for the campsite at Receration.gov https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/246894. Pay for the swamp walk with Zelle or Venmo to Dona Seyler at 407-758-9799. You will have to pay for the swamp walk first to be on the going list.

**For the Swamp Walk Bring:** wear sturdy lace-up sneakers, light weight long pants and long sleeved shirt. Also bring a hiking pole, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, a change of clothes and a plastic bag for the wet clothes afterward. Carry bottled water and snacks and any valuables, including phones and cameras in plastic bags to protect them if they're dropped into the water.

**For Camping Bring:** all food and supplies you will need for 4 days. This is a primitive and remote area. There are restrooms and running water, but no electric at the tent sites. You will be able to drive in with your supplies and equipment.

**Carpooling:** If you would like to carpool please note it and your pickup location in the "Conversation" section below the event description. Make sure you state in your RSVP your desire to carpool. When you see that some else would like to carpool, please email them directly as soon as possible so that you can setup your ride.

Refunds are Available if:

* The event is canceled.
* The member cancels 5 or more days before the event.

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Fakahatchee Swamp Walk and Camping at Big Cypress National Park

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Fakahatchee Swamp Walk and Camping at Big Cypress National Park

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