One
of the great benefits of visiting this park, and even
camping here, is the chance to see and walk through a
wonderful grove of royal palms. The park is located eight
miles south of Belle Meade, and 17 miles south of Naples,
on U.S. 41, the Tamiami Trail. It offers just about the
perfect base camp for exploring the Big Cypress Preserve
and the western section of Everglades National
Park.
The
property was owned by railway magnate Barron Collier who,
in the 1940s, wanted to donate a sizable piece of the
western Everglades to the federal government for use as a
national park. When the government refused the offer,
Collier donated the land to the state for park and
preserve purposes.
Things
to See and Do
The
park's 6,423 acres not only provides a water route to the
Ten Thousand Islands and the Gulf Coast, but also offers
recreational activities and varied ecosystems including
mangrove and cypress swamps, hardwood hammocks, piney
woods, and that grove of royal palms. A tropical hammock
houses trees and other plants typical of the West Indies'
coastal forests. As salt water mixed with fresh water,
salt marshes harbour an abundance of wildlife. Although
their numbers are fast declining, the park sees West
Indian manatees from time to time.
The
park is open to recreation, while a major section,
covering 4,760 acres, is devoted to wildlife
preservation. This area of mangrove swamps may be toured
by a limited number of visitors each day. A canoe route
of 13.6 miles offers superb paddling through the
wilderness preserve, while boat tours are available from
the park concession: an easy way to view the mangrove
wilderness. Boat and canoe rentals are available, for
exploring the park, or for going farther&emdash;to the
Ten Thousand Islands, or to the Wilderness Waterway of
Everglades National Park. The park interior is linked to
the Gulf Coast by the Blackwater River, and boat plans
must be filed with the park ranger office. Park
facilities include a boat ramp.
Canoe
Route
This
is a park of incredible beauty, and one of the best ways
to explore the wilderness interior is to take the canoe
route through the mangrove swamps. If you decide to spend
a day doing this trip, you must register, at 8 a.m., at
the park entrance office. A fee is charged, and you'll be
provided with paddles and life jackets or seat cushions.
The park stipulates that you return for check-in by
sunset, unless you plan to stay overnight in the mangrove
forest. Those who don't return are subjects of a search
by a park patrol. Part of the registration package is a
map of the route, and it's always helpful to ask the
ranger about current conditions and hints on navigation.
The route is identified by a series of nautical markers,
starting at marker 56, with the real beginning of the
route at marker 47.
When
reaching marker 56, turn right, away from the Blackwater
River. Mud Bay provides great views of wildlife including
ibis, egrets, and herons, plus sandpipers and plovers
(especially at low tide). The route leads to the south of
the large island in the bay. The cypress campsite,
Grocery Place, is 3.5 miles from the formal starting
point of the route (marker 47). This is an ideal place to
begin a two-day paddle of the route. At this point,
you're about an hour's paddle from the Ten Thousand
Islands.
After
leaving Grocery Place, the trip leads into Palm Bay, and
the route runs along the bay's left side, veering east
beyond the forest. At this point, the saltwater fish
appear. This is a tidal area and it's best to consider
this when navigating through the bay and along the
coastal area.
At
marker 13, you're at the mouth of the Blackwater River,
the return route to the park facilities. Stay to the left
, heading north, and you'll pass markers 14 to 18. There
is then a stretch of unmarked river, and before reaching
marker 23, you'll notice the river becoming narrower, as
the mangroves get closer and the atmosphere thickens. The
end of the canoe route is marker 47. If you keep to the
right, you'll soon return to the marina, retracing the
first part of the trip through the northern part of the
park.
Walking
and Hiking
Two
walking trails lead through the principal land-based
features. A short nature trail, found next to the visitor
center, features boardwalks and an observation platform
overlooking the salt marsh. A 6.5-mile hiking trail
offers a fine day hike through cypress and pine
flatwoods. Guided walks are given at 10 a.m. on
Saturdays, from early December through April. In addition
to manatees, park wildlife species include crocodiles,
the Florida black bear, Big Cypress fox squirrels,
red-cockaded woodpeckers, bald eagles, brown pelicans,
ospreys, and wood storks. The roseate spoonbill and other
wading birds are seen in large numbers. Salt water fish
available at the end of a line include redfish, snook,
and mangrove snapper.
Camping
in the Park
Collier-Seminole
contains two campgrounds, one having sites located in a
wooded area. This area is popular with tent campers. The
other campground consists of more than 100 sites suitable
for trailers and RVs. One primitive campground offers
nighttime accommodations for canoe-trippers. It's called
Grocery Place, and the nightly limit is five canoes. For
information on campground availabilities, and to make
reservations for campsites, call the park office at (941)
394-3397, or write Collier Seminole State Park, 20200
East Tamiami Trail, Naples FL 33961.
To
continue our tour of Southwest Florida attractions
click on the hand, or go to the individual
chapters.
Collier
Seminole State Park
