Friends of Fakahatchee: Dedicated to financial and volunteer support to preserve the unique ecology and cultural heritage of Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and educate the public about its importance.
Janes Scenic Drive
Janes Scenic Drive provides visitors an opportunity for a rare glimpse of a portion of Florida’s remaining subtropical wilderness.
What is Janes Scenic Drive?
Janes Scenic Drive leads to the Main entrance of the Fakahatchee Preserve, open from 8:00 AM to sunset 365 days a year. There is an admission fee to enter the Preserve.
Janes Scenic Drive is named after three Janes brothers who developed tomato farming in Copleand in the 1930’s. The Drive became a railroad bed for logging the Fakahatchee’s old-growth Cypress trees in the 1940s. Today, this unimproved narrow dirt road gives visitors access to a portion of Florida’s remaining subtropical wilderness.
At approximately 11 miles, the drive starts at the Fakahatchee Preserve main entrance and continues on for approx. 6 miles where Janes Scenic is gated. The remainder of Janes Scenic is for pedestrains and cyclists up to the border of the Picayune Strand State forest. Vehicle access on Janes Scenic drive to enter the Picayune is no longer available.
Getting There
Access to Janes Scenic Drive is possible ONLY via Route 29 which starts at the community of Copeland (map). Copeland is on SR 29, 2 ½ miles north of Highway 41 (The Tamiami Trail); 14 miles south of I-75 exit #80 (Alligator Alley).. Remember to stop at the ranger station to pay your park admission fee . Here you will also find an informative kiosk, park brochures and restrooms.
Do plan on a leisurely trip. Please drive slowly to protect the wildlife. Watch for basking alligators, which may climb out onto the Drive to warm up in the sun — all part of the adventure. You’ll also go slow to protect your vehicle’s undercarriage from the numerous ruts and potholes. After heavy rain it may be advisable to seek advice about road condition.
Know Before You Go
- Deposit the park entrance fee at the ranger station. ($3.00 per vehicle, $2 per pedestrian or cyclist)
- Ask about the road’s condition, especially after heavy rain.
- Do not park in front of any gates; emergency or research teams may need access.
- Drive slowly to protect the wildlife and your vehicle.
- Watch out for basking alligators on the roadway.
- Be alert for snakes, some of which may be venomous, particularly in patches of sunlight.
Along the Route
Janes Scenic Drive first takes you across a marl or wet prairie dotted with numerous tree islands. Watch for Red-shouldered Hawks and other raptors flying overhead. Gradually it merges into swamp, and the cypress forest closes in on either side of the road.
As you drive, you’ll often see ditches on both sides where soil and rock were excavated to make the railroad bed in the 1940s. Watch these ditches for old railroad ties, wading birds and swamp lilies.
Culverts under the Drive allow water to flow freely. Watch for sloughs (wider water channels) which provide interesting windows into the Preserve. Along the way you will see numerous ferns and epiphytes, particularly bromeliads.
You’ll also see a network of side tracks that gave loggers access to the largest trees back in the day. These side tracks are referred to as trams, some of which are now used as hiking trails.
TRAILS to Explore off of Janes Scenic Drive
Gate 7 -West Main trail is 4.5 miles past the ranger station. Gate 7 is a good spot to walk a little way in to get a feel for what the interior of the Fakahatchee is like. (Please park well clear of gate and stay on the main trail.)
Gate 12 – East Main trail is at 6.5 miles passed the ranger station, here you’ll find a large area to park where Janes Scenic drive is gated. Down this trail you’ll pass through one of the Preserve’s largest stands of native Royal Palms. Two miles in you’ll find the Fakahatchee Hilton, circa 1957, a private cabin. The small lake behind the cabin is good for alligator viewing. Please be respectful of the in-holder’s private property.
A Ghost Rider Tram Ride is the first class way to travel Janes Scenic Drive.
Or Leave the Driving to Us
An alternative to self-driving is to sign up for one of our Ghost Rider Tram tours led by one of our expert volunteer naturalists. These are run several times a week from November through April and must be booked in advance. If you feel even more adventurous, you can book a combined Tram tour and wet walk or full-day biologist–led swamp walk.