Collier-Seminole State Park
If seeing a mysterious swamp is on your pup’s barket list, then it’s time for a visit to Collier-Seminole State Park. Part of this massive park extends into the spectacular mangrove swamp of Southern Florida where vegetation thrives and critters lurk in spaces unseen. In true Everglade fashion, this park is teeming with tropical trees, including the Florida royal palm.
Not only does this park have ample opportunities for wildlife
viewing, boating, fishing, and bicycling, it also has pawsome trails for hiking.
The Royal Palm Hammock Nature Trail runs through thick clumps of royal palm
trees, Jamaican dogwood, and lush ferns. But that’s not all. A portion of the
trail runs past groves of pond apples and white mangrove trees before ending up
at the salt marsh overlook. There is also the 6.5 mile Hiking Adventure Trail, but since it meanders through a bug laden cypress swamp, you may want to think
twice about taking your pup on this one.
The park has two furrific campgrounds so you and your
pooch can stay a couple nights. One campground is tucked away in a wooded area
and is for tents, campers, and pop-up trailers. The other one has sites for
tents and RVs. No matter which spot you select, you’ll have water, electricity,
a grill, and a picnic table. Modern restrooms, hot showers, and a laundry
facility help keep visitors smelling fresh.
If you and your four legged adventure buddy are just
visiting for the day, be sure to bring a sandwich along, as well as water and clean up bags. After hitting the trails, settle in at one of the four picnic
pavilions and enjoy a relaxing lunch. Three of the pavilions have grills, so
you can barbecue some burgers or hot dogs and have a pawty!
Your pup will agree- a day at Collier-Seminole State Park is time well spent!
