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Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner - James R. Karels, Director

Picayune Strand State Forest:
•	Map: Picayune Strand S.F. (pdf, 360k)
•	Map: Trails on Picayune Strand S.F. (pdf, 364k)
•	Map: Sabal Palm Trailwalker Trails (pdf, 500k)
•	Brochure: Picayune Strand S.F. (pdf, 950k)
•	Activities on PSSF
•	Wildlife Management Areas

State Forests:

• Find a State Forest

• Fees and Information

• Recreation Programs

• Recreation At-A-Glance

• Recreation Guide (pdf, 5M)

• State Forests Brochure (pdf, 623k )

• Volunteer Opportunities

‘Nicole's Law’ for state forest equestrian riders under 16 years of age.

Campers- help ensure the health the Florida's forests. Use firewood from the area where you plan to burn it: More Tips

Protect forests for the future with Friends of Florida State Forests

Wetland restoration is an integral part of the Division of Forestry’s management of state forest resources. More

Resource Management Plans guide management activities on state forests. More.

Article: Wildlife Management in Florida State Forests
Amanda Peck, Biologist

Total Acreage: 78,615
Counties: Collier

Forestry Home > Forest Management > State Forests >

Picayune Strand State Forest

Location | Natural Features | Restoration | Recreation | Contacts

Picayune Strand State Forest is primarily comprised of two major tracts of land, the South Golden Gate Estates Tract and the Belle Meade Tract. The South Golden Gate Estates Tract comprises the majority of the forest. The land which is currently Picayune Strand State Forest was originally logged for cypress trees in the 1940's and 1950's, and then in the 1960's, a developer purchased over 57,000 acres to create the largest subdivision in America to be called "Golden Gate Estates". A massive system of canals and roads were built and thus began the infamous "swampland in Florida" scam.

Potential buyers were flown over the area during the dry season then subjected to high pressure salesmen who were selling lots averaging 2.5 acres apiece. Most of the land south of Interstate 75 could never be developed due to the summer flooding, and the development eventually went bankrupt.

In 1985, a plan was put into place to purchase South Golden Gate Estates using Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) funds under the "Save Our Everglades" program. This was an incredibly large undertaking as it involved acquiring land from 17,000 landowners. In 1998, the federal government gave 25 million dollars in aid to the state of Florida to help bring the land acquisitions to a completion. Once the land acquisition is completed, hydrological restoration activities will begin in earnest. This will restore the sheet flow of freshwater that is necessary for the continued existence of the ecologically sensitive Ten Thousand Islands and the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Location

Picayune Strand State Forest is located in southwest Florida in western Collier County, approximately two miles east of the town of Naples. The forest can be accessed on Everglades Boulevard from the north or Janes Scenic Drive from the east. Public parking and restroom facilities are located at 2121 52nd Ave. SE, west of Everglades Blvd. Limited trailer parking is available at M and H stables for a fee (please call ahead 941/ 455-8764).

Natural Features

PHOTO: Wood storks can be found on Picayune Strand State Forest.

Picayune Strand State Forest is in the heart of an ecosystem called the Big Cypress Basin. The majority of this hydric forest is under water during periods of considerable rainfall. The forest is comprised of cypress strands, wet prairie, and pine flatwoods in the lowlands and subtropical hardwood hammocks in the uplands. The northern section of the Belle Meade Tract contains many second growth South Florida slash pine, with some remnant trees being over 100 years old.

The forest provides habitat for many species of wildlife making wildlife viewing a popular activity. The following species have been sighted on the forest: black bear, bald eagle, wood stork, Big Cypress fox squirrel and swallow-tailed kites. Although Florida panthers are rarely visible, they do leave tracks for the observant visitor. Female panthers have borne cubs on the state forest in recent years.

Restoration

Restoration plans have been formulated and efforts have begun to block several of the 45 miles of canals and remove 227 miles of roads constructed by land developers in the 1960s. the return of the sheet flow of freshwater through the strand and into the Ten Thousand Islands and Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is essential for the survival of the natural ecosystem of southwestern Florida.

Recreation

Trailtrotter Program... Explore the Forest on Horseback

Trailwalker Hiking Program.

This state forest is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Picayune Strand State Forest offers many recreational opportunities.

• The Belle Meade Tract provides equestrians a 22 mile horse trail which is included in the Trailtrotter program, 10 paddocks, non-potable water and an equestrian camping area. All horses on the forest must have current negative Coggins Test results, proof of which is to be carried by each rider.

• The Sabal Palm Hiking Trail is a 3.2 mile trail that gives hikers an opportunity to view the many cypress trees that were considered too small to harvest by loggers of the 1940s and 50s. Some of these cypress trees are now over 100 years old. Bird watchers might be able to catch a glimpse of wood storks, hairy woodpeckers and red-cockaded woodpeckers. Picayune Strand State Forest is part of the Trailwalker Hiking Program.

Off-Highway Vehicle activity is illegal on Picayune Strand State Forest except in designated areas. Anyone riding an OHV on the forest, other than in designated areas, will be cited according to the law.

In keeping with its mission to protect and manage Florida's forest resources, the Division of Forestry has developed rules which apply to all State Forest visitors. Find out more about state forest fees and rules.

Trails				Campsites		Other
Hike	Bike	Horse	Canoe	Camp sites	with Electric	Leashed Pets OK	More Activities
	none	Horse Stables	none	Primitive	none		Picnicking, Hunting, Fishing