Its the time of year when the weather turns beautiful, temperatures cool down, and the annual influx of tourists and warm weather seekers crowd our already overcrowded roads and recreation areas. This influx combined with the obscene amount of development in our area contribute to a restless feeling which leads me to want to be away from people and into nature. It always amazes me that only a half hour west of West Palm Beach exists wide open spaces, few people and even fewer tourists and developers.
I have found many wilderness areas within two or three hours of Palm Beach County but none that takes you back to the pristine environment that most of south Florida once was. But now I have found Fisheating Creek Campground at the Fisheating Creek State Park in Palmdale, a two hour drive from West Palm Beach,…. a pristine wilderness.
Recently I was looking for a new place to kayak and had a conversation with a friend who is a musician and had written a song about environmental issues in Florida. The song mentioned Fisheating Creek and the court battle with Lykes Brothers over the rights to the creek. Lykes Brothers had fenced the creek off so that canoers and kayakers and others could not use it for recreational purposes. Several environmental groups spearheaded by 78 year old Ellen Peterson demonstrated and filled out petitions bringing the issue to the attention of the State of Florida. The state joined the groups in a suit against Lykes and the end result was the reopening of the creek and the campground for recreational purposes.
Fisheating Creek is a unique and natural Florida waterway that meanders for 52 miles through cypress swamps, bass filled lakes and extensive marshes. The Creek then flows into Lake Okeechobee, the nation’s second largest lake. The creek runs through an 18,000 acre Wildlife Management Area overseen by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Com-
mission.
The highlight of the campground is the Fisheating Creek Canoe Trail which takes you through areas that have been opened especially for canoers and kayakers on a year round basis. There are one and two day trips. You can leave your automobile at the Campground parking lot and be transported to the starting point. The trail is clearly marked with arrows.
The one day trip is approximately eight miles long and takes about four hours. The two day trip is sixteen miles long and takes about ten hours. Their are primitive camp sites along the trail.
The trip is a photographers dream. Just about every kind of native plant and wildflower can be seen. If you are into birding you will see over seventy varieties of birds and especially wading birds. The possibility also exists to see alligators, armadillos, bobcats, Florida panther, wild hogs, deer, raccoons,and several varieties of snakes and turtles.
The campground itself is a great get away spot. It offers RV, tent and wilderness sites in a variety of locations including shaded live oak stands, open areas, as well as waterfront sites on the creek. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings and are conveniently located near bathrooms and showers.
The fishing is excellent on the creek so bring your rod and reel. You will find an ample supply of bass, specks and bluegills as well as catfish and a unique armored catfish which is native to Brazil. You can fish from the stream or from the bank and residents of Glades county can fish with cane poles without a license. Many pictures of great catches adorn the walls both inside and outside the camp store.
Biking, hiking, boating and star gazing all provide a level of enjoyment and relaxation second to none. If you are tired of looking in the night sky and seeing a few lonely stars you will be blown away by the night sky in Palmdale.
My favorite thing is the swimming lake. Most streams and lakes in south and central Florida are unsafe for swimming due to alligators but the campground has a swimming lake and beach, a rare treat in this part of the state.
Although the people have won a big battle to keep the creek open the situation requires constant vigilance on the part of environmentalists and concerned citizens. Ellen Petersen runs the campground by herself and exists with the help of many volunteers. Projects include clearing out the creek to make it accessible to canoes and kayaks, general maintenance and repair around the campground, special projects, conducting activities and just generally helping out with the chores.
Fisheating Creek Campground is located at 7555 North Highway 27 in Palmdale. This is one half mile north of the intersection of Highway 27 and Highway 29.
To contact Ellen for more information call 863-675-7855 or fax 863-675-7845 or email fishe@strato.net. You can also visit the web site at fisheatingcreek.com.
Treat yourself to a great escape this winter. You’ll be glad you did!