Place

Halfway Creek Paddling Trail

Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park

A kayaker lifts their paddle out of the water. Mangrove branches and thick vegetation overhang — Halfway Creek is a great place to explore mangrove habitat
NPS Photo

Beach/Water Access, Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch, Scenic View/Photo Spot

Attention: Halfway Creek is not completely passable at this time. You can put in and paddle from Sea Grape Drive in Big Cypress south towards the HC 1 marker. To complete the through-trip, paddlers must head west once they encounter the HC3 / L 15 marker, and continue following the L markers. Once you travel across the “lake,” look for the L 14 marker. The numbers will continue to descend and take you to L 5 or L 6. From there, head west and you will come out by Everglades City. From the L 3 marker up to the L 1 marker is impassable.

The Halfway Creek and Loop Trails are accessible from Everglades City, Chokoloskee, or from the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center on Sea Grape Drive off of US 41. The Creek is approximately 8 miles long from the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center to Everglades City. The upper loop is an additional 3.7 miles. From Everglades City, the Halfway Creek-Left Hand Turner-Turner River loop is approximately 12-14 miles. Allow 4-10 hours for these trails.