Fakahatchee Strand Preserve Trail

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park protects the largest and most pristine strand swamp in North America, a linear forested wetland supporting an almost tropical diversity of life. The Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk provides accessible entry into this watery wilderness, where royal palms tower overhead and rare ghost orchids cling to ancient cypress trees. The strand supports the highest concentration of native orchid species in North America, along with Florida black bears, Florida panthers, and countless other species. Guided swamp walks offered by the park venture off-boardwalk into knee-deep water for truly immersive experiences. This is Florida wilderness at its most pristine and mysterious, offering encounters with ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth.