Attention: Some trails are not passable at this time. Please contact the visitor center for more information. 239-695-4758
Click here for a general map.
You may download files of canoe trails within the Preserve. You may want to download the Google Earth program to view these files. Additionally, you can down load GPS Babel which allows you to convert Google files to an appropriate file for you GPS unit.
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Turner River Paddling Trail
Distance: 9.93 miles
Paddling time: 4 ½ to 7 hours
Variations: add half an hour to take-out at the NPS Gulf District Ranger Station via paddling along the Chokoloskee causeway
Difficulty: moderate
Entry point: at U.S. 41 paddling access site west of Turner River Road
Takeout point(s): Chokoloskee Island or the NPS Gulf District Ranger Station
What you'll see: cypress strand, sawgrass prairie, intertidal mangrove trees
Watch out for: airboats crossing trail in the lower prairie, powerboat traffic
Halfway Creek and Halfway Creek Loop Paddling Trails
*This trail is not fully passable. Please contact the visitor center at 239-695-4758 for more information.
Distance: 7.28 miles
Paddling time: 4 to 5 hours
Variations: the Halfway Creek Loop adds 3.7 miles and 2 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Entry point: Seagrape Drive, 1/4 mile west of the Big Cypress National Preserve Headquarters in Ochopee
Takeout point(s): NPS Gulf District Ranger Station or Chokoloskee Island
What you'll see: sawgrass prairie, coastal mangrove forests
Watch out for: commercial airboat traffic
Lefthand Turner River Paddling Trail
*This trail is not fully passable. Please contact the visitor center at 239-695-4758 for more information.
Distance: 3.65 miles
Paddling time: 3 to 4 hours
Variations: plan to use the incoming and outgoing tides to help
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Entry point: Chokoloskee Island or the NPS Gulf District Ranger Station
Takeout point(s): Chokoloskee Island or the NPS Gulf District Ranger Station
What you'll see: intertidal mangrove forest
Watch out for: commercial airboat and powerboat traffic
Sandfly Island Loop Paddling Trail
Distance: 3.73 miles
Paddling time: 3 to 5 hours
Variations: add an hour for windy conditions or if you fight the tides
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Entry point and takeout point: the NPS Gulf District Ranger Station in Everglades City
What you'll see: intercoastal mangrove tree islands, oyster banks, brackish marine environment, open bay
Watch out for: strong winds in the bay, very shallow and muddy bottom with sharp oyster shells, wakes from commercial crabbing boats and recreational powerboats that may capsize your boat
