Overview

The Collier Seminole Hiking Trail provides one of South Florida’s most beautiful day hikes, and backpackers are welcome to head out into the swamp for an evening of solitude in a place that looks and feels primordial. The Florida panther and black bear roam here, and the cypress trees and royal palms tower to enormous heights. It’s an immersion into several unique habitats, including the cypress strands and sloughs of the Big Cypress Swamp; tropical hammocks with tall, swaying royal palms, wild coffee, and giant leather ferns; and wet pine flatwoods that showcase colorful orchids. The trail crosses several sloughs and skirts the edge of a Miccosukee Indian settlement.

This trail is not for the inexperienced hiker. Some wilderness savvy is in order. Do not take small children on this trail. Expect to slog through ankle-to-knee deep water through several stretches of cypress swamp. Bring a change of clothes and shoes for after the hike as you will get muddy and wet. And prepare for the famous mosquitoes of the Everglades!

A Grand Champion native royal palms grows along the trail. The campsite is in a high, dry oak hammock. The western part of the trail is wet in most seasons, and the rest of the trail is varied, much of it dry. Strangler fig can be found wild in the forest. Exotic trees and shrubs, such as Brazilian pepper and melaleuca, have found footing here and are prolific.

When you check in at the ranger station, let the rangers know if you intend to stay overnight at the backpacker’s campsite or are just day hiking the trail—if you’re day hiking and don’t check in before the park closes, they will come looking for you.

Map

17 miles east of Naples along US 41 0.25 mile south of the SR 92 intersection.

 Disclaimer: While FTA strives to maintain accurate information and is constantly updating its geodatabase, the trail and development along the trail corridor is constantly changing. The data has been collected from a variety of sources and accuracy varies. FTA provides this data for recreational purposes only and does not intend the data as a survey. 

Centerline data Florida Trail System (c) 2007 Florida Trail Association, Inc.

Trailheads

You must first check in at the ranger station and get the combination for the locked gate leading to its parking area.

Conditions

This is a wet and rugged hike through the Big Cypress Swamp. Expect to wade much of it.  

Precautions

There is no water at the campsite. Treat all ground water. Carry four quarts of water for each overnight backpacker. Use insect repellent and consider a mosquito headnet.

Restrictions

 State Park fee. Backpackers must register at the park office. Bears roam the park. Hang food away from them. The loop trail is blazed orange, while side trails are blazed in blue. Do not approach the Indian settlement from the trail. No ground fires are permitted. Use the established campfire spot. No vehicles, horses, pets or guns are permitted.  

Resources

Collier-Seminole State Park

South 2 Loop Trails

50 Hikes in South Florida

Hiker’s Guide to the Sunshine State

Everglades City

Florida Hikes! Collier-Seminole Hiking Trail

Naples, Marco Island and Everglades CVB