Faka-cabin Traditional Cache

Welcome to Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, the largest state park in Florida and known as the Amazon of North America.  It is the world's largest strand swamp, providing the habitat for many threatened and endangered species.  Due in part to the tropical environment of the slough, it is also the orchid capitol of North America with 47 species of orchids. Unfortunatly the fascination of orchids has resulted in their decline due to poaching.  

At one time this was also one of the largest logging operations in the world. In 1944 Lee Tidewater Cypress Company began logging one of the largest remaining stands of virgin cypress trees in the United States.  Over 200 miles of railroad beds were laid into the swamp for loggers to harvest the huge trees.  After the logging finished in the 1950’s the railroads trams were left open.  From 1954-1970 Gulf American Corporation owned this land and sold property that had hunting rights. The area became a wildlife management area for big game which were deer and hogs.  Numerous hunting camps began to appear along many of the old trams. In 1974 this became a state park.   Hunting was permitted until 1986 when Florida Park Service and Florida Game and Fish Commission agreed to stop the hunting in the Fakahatchee.  At that point, many of these hunting camps were abandoned and owners left to hunt elsewhere. 

This is one of several caches located in the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.  It is placed with the permission from the park adminstration.  There is an entrance fee to the park which is $3/vehicle with 2-8 occupants, $2/bicyclists or hikers.  Please stop at the kiosk at the Visitors Center to pay and get a receipt.  When you leave the parking area, turn right at the stop sign and procede on Janes Scenic Drive approximately 2.8 miles. On your right will be a small pull-off at the entrance to the trail. 

You will be walking on one of these raised trams to the cache. This is a beautiful hike to ruins of an old camp. There are large rocks and green posts at the entrance to the tram. The cache is in a medium size container with numerous items for trading. There may be a couple of chairs there for you to stay a moment and enjoy the beauty of the strand.

Please note it is unlawful to remove natural or cultural items from any Florida State Park.