Kissimmee River Public Use Area: S-65D Boat Ramp

Chandler Slough is a beautiful tract of cypress swamp, oak and cabbage palm hammocks and marsh habitats. This is a great spot to watch wildlife, including wading birds and waterfowl, and hikers can also access the Florida National Scenic Trail which runs through the property.

To the south, overhanging oak limbs frame a view of the Old Kissimmee River as it winds its way between Telex and Yates marshes. You can also visit Seaboard Marsh to the north by boat. Watch for bluegill beds in the spring and summer in the shallows of the riverside.

Kissimmee River Public Use Area: 4E’s

Take in the beauty of picturesque flowering marsh plants. Pink marsh mallow “hibiscus,” purple pickerel weed, yellow primrose, creamy water hemlock and button-bush flowers are on display. The property also features a boat ramp, surrounded by grandfather oaks, a cypress dome and cabbage palms.

At Cornwell Marsh, split by the Kissimmee River, you will find canoe and kayak access at the 4E’s non-motorized boat ramp and airboat launch off US 98.

Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Wildlife Management Area: East Shore

Lake Kissimmee collects water from the upper lakes region, which flows south to the Kissimmee River and onto Lake Okeechobee before eventually reaching the Everglades. The Lake Kissimmee Islands, East Shore and West Shore provide great opportunities for boaters looking to explore this incredible lake and its associated shorelines. The area provides great opportunities to view wading birds and snail kites. Make a stop at one of the covered picnic pavilions or primitive camping sites.

Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Wildlife Management Area: Lake Hatchineha and C-37

The area surrounding Lake Hatchineha offers many recreational opportunities and beautiful vistas.

Catfish Creek is a popular landing for airboats. When the water level is high, you can enjoy a canoe or kayak ride along the cypress strand. Paddle between marshy vegetation on the lakeside and cypress on the land side, or explore the property by foot along grassy trails. Watch for wildlife, including wading birds, deer, turkey, alligators, bald eagles and turtles.

Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Wildlife Management Area: Cypress Lake

Cypress Lake is located in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes watershed, just north of the Gardner-Cobb Marsh. Accessible only by boat or airboat, Gardner-Cobb Marsh is the largest District property in the Upper Chain of Lakes region.

Take in the pine flatwoods, swamps and wet prairie, where you can view wildflowers in the fall and spring. Rest in a shady oak hammock, explore the vast marsh on your airboat, or set up camp at a primitive campsite after you park your boat along the sandy shoreline. Hiking is best during the dry season.

Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Wildlife Management Area: Gardner-Cobb

The Gardner-Cobb Marsh is located in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes watershed between Cypress Lake, Lake Hatchineha and Lake Kissimmee. Accessible only by boat or airboat, Gardner-Cobb Marsh is the largest District property in the Upper Chain of Lakes region.

Take in the pine flatwoods, swamps and wet prairie, where you can view wildflowers in the fall and spring. Rest in a shady oak hammock, explore the vast marsh on your airboat, or set up camp at a primitive campsite after you park your boat along the sandy shoreline. Hiking is best during the dry season.

Rocky Glades Public Small Game Hunting Area

The Rocky Glades area provide access to the L-31 Canal levees. From the levee, you can access flow ways available for small game and duck hunting managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The 100-acre, FWC-managed, Frog Pond Dove Field is the only one of its kind in southeastern Florida and is available for seasonal quota hunting. A boat ramp located on the north side of Ingraham Highway can be used for kayak/canoe access into the L-31 Canal.

Kissimmee River Public Use Area: Telex

Chandler Slough is a beautiful tract of cypress swamp, oak and cabbage palm hammocks and marsh habitats. This is a great spot to watch wildlife, including wading birds and waterfowl, and hikers can also access the Florida National Scenic Trail which runs through the property.

To the south, overhanging oak limbs frame a view of the Old Kissimmee River as it winds its way between Telex and Yates marshes. You can also visit Seaboard Marsh to the north by boat. Watch for bluegill beds in the spring and summer in the shallows of the riverside.

Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area

This area offers miles of hiking and bicycling trails and accessible fishing platforms within an expanse of Everglades wetlands and muhly grass prairies dotted with tropical hardwood hammocks and cypress forests. This site provides critical habitat for the Cape Sable seaside sparrow, the American crocodile and over 200 species of birds.

Hunting is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Visit myfwc.com for hunting dates, regulations and detailed license information.