Turner River Canoe Trail

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Trail Facts

Location: Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee FL

Distance:8.5 miles

Duration: 6 hours

Type: shuttle

Difficulty: Moderate

Pets: Yes

Permits

No permit needed for day trips.

Finding the Trailhead

This canoe trail begins where the Tamiami Trail (US 41) crosses the Turner River, about 2 miles east of Ochopee.

The Hike

This 5-6 hour canoe paddle takes you southwest along the Turner River, through strands of cypress, to an extensive region of coastal mangrove swamp. These estuarine forests, where the abundant freshwater from the north meets the saltwater of the ocean, are a nutrient-rich environment supporting pink shrimp, snook, and snapper.

The mangrove forests are broken occasionally by areas of coastal marsh, an immensely fertile ecosystem that is home to myriad waterfowl.

You have your choice of take-out points. You may conclude your paddle at Chokoloskee Island or, if you wish to skim the line where the bay meets the mangroves, you can continue northwest to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.