Tours

Tours

Ghost Rider Tram Tours


Friends of FakahatcheeYou don’t have to get your feet wet or drive your car down Janes Scenic Drive to see the wonders of the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.

You can ‘leave the driving to the us’ – by day or by moonlight – when you sign up for one of the Friends of Fakahatchee Tram Tours. If you want to get your feet wet, our Introduction to Swamp Walk with Tram Tour combines the best of both worlds.

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Fakahatchee Ghost Rider Tram Tour

The ‘Ghost Rider’ tram, named in honor of the famous Ghost Orchid found in the Park, allows you look at wildlife and plants without having to watch the road. The 20-passenger tram is wheelchair accessible, and some seats face backwards.

An experienced guide leads each 2 1/2 hour tram tour and points out interesting aspects of the park. The tour takes you past wet prairie where you’ll learn about the underlying geology that shapes the landscape. It stops at a slough to give you a window into the strand. It gives you the opportunity to take a guided 15-minute walk down an old logging path to see numerous air plants, a variety of ferns, and seasonally blooming orchids.

This is an outdoor event, so please dress appropriately for the weather; wear secure, closed toe shoes for brief walks at tram stops.

The Ghost Rider Tram Tour is $25 per person. For more information, to see available dates, and to purchase tickets visit the Eventbrite page for the Fakahatchee Ghost Rider Tram Tour.


Moonlit Tram Tour

On a Moonlit Fakahatchee Tram Tour you can view the magnificent Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park under the illumination of a full moon. These tours start just as the sun is setting – prime time for photography and spotting some of the mammal residents of the Strand as well as birds settling in for the evening.

Experienced naturalists lead each tram tour and will introduce you to denizens of the night, including fireflies, bats and owls. City-dwellers will be amazed at how their vision changes as their eyes adapt to the light the moon provides. Evenings can be quite cool when the Moonlit Tour is offered. Check the weather report and dress appropriately for the night of your tour.

The Moonlit Tram Tour is $35 per person. For more information, to see available dates, and to purchase tickets visit the Eventbrite page for the Moonlit Tram Tour.

Official FOF Swamp Walks

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Friends of FakahatcheeIf you want to get your feet wet, our Introduction to Swamp Walk with Tram Tour combines the best of both worlds. Want to get wetter? Our longer Naturalist-led Swamp Walk may be for you. If you truly want to immerse yourself in the Fakahatchee, go for the Biologist Swamp Walk, which takes place six miles into the Preserve.

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Introduction to Swamp Walk with Tram Tour

This tour combines elements of our tram tours with our swamp walks to give participants a wonderful introduction to the Fakahatchee. Our experienced volunteer naturalists leading the group share their knowledge and insights about the Fakahatchee’s flora and fauna on both wet and dry portions of the adventure.

Each Tram Tour begins with a narrated ride on the Friends’ Ghost Rider tram to the site of the swamp walk, about 30 minutes. After 90 or so minutes of guided walking through the swamp, participants board the tram for the return trip, for a total of about 2 1/2 hours.

Participants will be required to sign a standard release of liability form. Participants should be sure to wear sturdy lace-up shoes (no sandals!) and long pants. Bring a set of dry clothes; you can change in the visitors restrooms for the drive home. Dress appropriately for the weather.

The Tram Tour with Swamp Walk is $60 per person. For more information, to see available dates, and to purchase tickets visit the Eventbrite page for the Introduction to Swamp Walk with Tram Tour.


Naturalist-led Swamp Walk

This swamp walk will immerse you in the beauty and diversity of the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve. For many visitors, a Friends of Fakahatchee Swamp Walk is the highlight of their Florida visit. Led by one of our experienced volunteer naturalists, participants wade in cool water for half a day observing the native wildlife and plants in the heart of the Fakahatchee.

This is a long, and at times strenuous walk. Swamp walkers should wear long pants and lace-up boots or sneakers – no sandals, waders or open-top boots. A hat and long-sleeved shirt are also recommended. Bring water, snacks, or lunch. Bring bug repellent if you are sensitive. Put anything you do not want to get wet in zip-lock plastic bags. Bring a set of dry clothes; you can change in the visitors restrooms for the drive home.

The Naturalist-led Swamp Walk is $80 per person. For more information, to see available dates, and to purchase tickets visit the Eventbrite page for the Introduction to Naturalist-led Swamp Walk.


Biologist Swamp Walk

This swamp walk is led by the Fakahatchee Preserve State Biologist, who has conducted more than 500 swamp walks. The swamp walk takes place six miles into the Preserve and will immerse you in the beauty and diversity of the largest State Park in Florida. The Park Biologist will encourage you to assist him in locating flora and fauna, helping to contribute to the collection of data for ongoing research.

This is a long, strenuous walk into the heart of the Fakahatchee Preserve. Participants wade in cool water up to mid-thighs for half a day observing the native wildlife and plants in the Fakahatchee Strand.

Swamp walkers are required to wear long pants and lace-up boots or sneakers – no sandals, waders or open-top boots. A hat and long-sleeved shirt are also recommended. Bring water, snacks, or lunch. Bring bug repellent if you are sensitive. Put anything you do not want to get wet in zip-lock plastic bags. Bring a set of dry clothes; you can change in the visitors restrooms for the drive home.

The Biologist Swamp Walk is $90 per person. For more information, to see available dates, and to purchase tickets visit the Eventbrite page for the Biologist Swamp Walk .