The newly opened Fort Center Nature Trail is nestled deep in tropical woodlands in the vast floodplain forest and freshwater marshes near Lake Okeechobee. It is perfection for hiking if you love the peace and beauty of raw nature. There are no crowds; maybe not even a single soul will pass by. It’s just you and beautiful, awe-inspiring nature.
Archaeological Site at Fisheating Creek
The four-mile trail off of Highway 78 in rural Glades County was recently opened at the east end of the 18, 272 acre Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area operated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The trail leads to the now vanished historic Fort Center, once a ragtag military outpost during the Second Seminole War located alongside the meandering 50-mile Fisheating Creek, according to Lawrence E. Will, author of A Cracker History of Okeechobee.
Interpretive signage at outlooks and kiosks along the way tell about the usage of the land in its modern day as a cattle ranch. Even more interesting is the story of Fort Center’s prehistoric occupation. Archaeologists in the 1960’s found earthworks, mounds and wooden carvings that pre-date 200 A.D. and evidence of human settlement between 1000 and 500 B.C. The excavation of the Indian mounds over a six year period by anthropologist and author William Sears is recorded in his book Fort Center: An Archaeological Site in the Lake Okeechobee Basin.
Bird Watching Bonanza
You may see, depending on the season, an incredible diversity of wild birds. Loons, cormorants, anhinga, great blue herons, cattle egrets, white ibis, osprey, hawks and eagles are regular visitors. The endangered swallowtail kite has habitat here beautifully described in the book Tracking Desire: A Journey After Swallow-Tailed Kites by wildlife activist and naturalist Susan Cerulean. Sandhill cranes, quails, falcons, wild turkey, limpkins and many more species can not only be seen but also heard when their whoops and calls echo across the marsh.
Wildlife Abundant in Woods
Wild hogs are pervasive; alligators sleep lazily on shorelines of the creek, cattle still roam on the prairies of marsh grass, white tailed deer flit through woods and meadow. Hammocks of live oak and cabbage palm, strangler fig and gumbo-limbo offer a canopy of shade and dwelling in the forests are many creatures native to Florida. Bears and panthers have been seen on rare occasions, but most wild animals will not come close to humans. Hunting with a license is permitted during certain seasons but only in designated areas far from public hiking and camping.
Planning Your Day Hike or Primitive Camping
The hike along this nature trail is an easy walk on a gravel road, not accessible to public vehicles. The best time of the year is winter, late fall or early spring when the heat and humidity is not formidable. A dog on a leash is permitted. Bring your own water to drink. Camping is allowed but there are no facilities and whatever you pack in, you must pack out. You might want to bring your cell phone as no one may be around in an emergency. Bicycling the trail is also allowed as well as canoeing the creek. Fishing is excellent. Tourist information is available at the office located near the entrance of the trail. It is not open on weekends. Checking in at the office before you depart is advisable but not required.
Directions
To get to Fort Center Nature Trail travel eight miles north of Moore Haven on HWY 78 and turn left on Banana Grove Road. Or, launch at the Fisheating Creek boat ramp located one mile north of Banana Grove Road and then travel upstream. For more information about Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area and the Fort Center Nature Trail visit MyFWC.com.
Sources
Lawrence E. Will. A Cracker History of Okeechobee. The Great Outdoors Publishing Co. St. Petersburg, Florida. 1964.
William H. Sears. Fort Center: An Archaeological Site in the Lake Okeechobee Basin. University Press of Florida. Gainesville, Florida. 1994.
Susan Cerulean. Tracking Desire: A Journey After Swallowtailed Kites. University Press of Georgia. Athens, Georgia. 2006
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Myfwc.com/Recreation/WMASites/_FisheatingCreek
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