Roberts River Chickee

For Floridians seeking an unparalleled escape into the wild heart of the Everglades, Roberts River Chickee offers a truly unique and serene backcountry camping experience. Unlike traditional campgrounds you might find closer to civilization, this isn't a place for RVs or car camping. Instead, it's an elevated platform, a "chickee," built over the water, designed for intrepid adventurers who arrive by boat, kayak, or canoe, ready to immerse themselves in the raw beauty of Florida's iconic wetlands.

A "chickee" is a traditional Seminole and Miccosukee Indian word referring to a shelter or house. In the context of the Everglades, these structures are typically open-sided, roofed platforms elevated above the water, providing a dry and secure place to pitch a free-standing tent or simply enjoy the sounds of the surrounding wilderness. Roberts River Chickee stands out as a double chickee, offering more space and potentially accommodating more campers, making it a great option for small groups or those who prefer a bit more room to spread out.

This type of camping is for those who are well-prepared for a self-sufficient wilderness journey, embracing the natural environment with minimal amenities. It's an opportunity to truly disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with nature on an intimate level. For local Floridians, it represents an accessible yet profoundly immersive way to experience one of the state's most vital and beautiful natural treasures, far from the crowds and urban sprawl. It’s an adventure that promises quiet nights under a star-filled sky and mornings greeted by the unique sounds of the Everglades.

Roberts River Chickee is located deep within the wilderness of Everglades National Park in Florida, USA. Specifically, it is situated in the middle of a small, protected cove, making it a strategic and relatively sheltered spot within the extensive network of Everglades waterways. Its precise coordinates (approximately 25.536719 / -81.063989) place it in a prime position for exploring the surrounding rivers and bays, which are renowned for their abundant wildlife and excellent fishing opportunities.

Accessibility to Roberts River Chickee is exclusively by water. It is a popular stop along the famous Wilderness Waterway, a 99-mile route that connects Flamingo on the Gulf Coast to Everglades City on the west side of the park. Campers typically reach the chickee by boat, kayak, or canoe. For paddlers embarking on longer expeditions, it's a significant milestone, approximately a 7-hour paddle from the start of the challenging Hell's Bay Trail, requiring a full day's trek but rewarding with incredible scenery. The sheltered cove helps with mooring and accessing the platform, though campers should always be mindful of tidal currents in the Everglades backcountry.

The journey to Roberts River Chickee is an integral part of the experience, offering unparalleled opportunities for wildlife viewing, including dolphins and numerous shorebirds, as noted by past visitors. Its remote location ensures a high degree of solitude, providing a true escape for those who value peace and quiet in nature. While deep within the wilderness, some visitors have even reported a surprising AT&T cell signal at this location, offering a rare and unexpected connection point in the heart of the Glades, allowing for quick check-ins or photo uploads.

As a backcountry wilderness site, Roberts River Chickee provides fundamental services designed to facilitate a safe and environmentally responsible camping experience. It's crucial for visitors to understand that "services" here refer to basic infrastructure rather than extensive amenities:

• Elevated Camping Platform (Chickee): The primary service is the elevated platform itself, providing a dry and stable surface above the water. This chickee is a "double chickee," offering more space than single platforms and potentially accommodating more campers or gear.
• Integrated Port-o-let: Each chickee site, including Roberts River Chickee, is equipped with a self-contained portable toilet unit, typically located on an attached dock or walkway. This is vital for backcountry hygiene and environmental preservation.
• Docking Area: The platform features a dock or designated area for tying up boats, kayaks, or canoes, ensuring secure mooring for your vessel during your stay.
• Shelter/Roof: The chickee provides an overhead roof, offering essential shelter from the elements like sun and rain, which are common in Florida's climate.
• Access to Fishing: The location provides direct access to productive fishing waters, particularly known for tarpon fishing in the nearby bays, and some access to freshwater bass fishing (though consuming bass from this area is not advised due to mercury content).
• Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: While not a service in the traditional sense, the location is inherently designed for unparalleled wildlife observation, including dolphins and various shorebirds.

Roberts River Chickee boasts several distinctive features and highlights that make it a compelling choice for adventurous campers in Florida:

• Double Chickee Design: Unlike many single chickees, Roberts River Chickee is a double platform, providing more expansive space for setting up tents, gear, and for groups of campers.
• Gridded Composite Decking Surface: The platform features a unique gridded composite decking. While sturdy, visitors should note that this surface can be uncomfortable to walk or sit on with bare feet, and hammock straps might slide, requiring appropriate attachment methods.
• Excellent Tarpon Fishing: The chickee is a popular spot for tarpon fishing, with nearby bays offering prime opportunities for anglers seeking this prized game fish.
• Relatively Few Mosquitoes: Its placement in the middle of a small, protected cove, far enough from the mangroves, allows it to generally benefit from a breeze off the water, often resulting in fewer mosquitoes compared to other backcountry sites.
• Surprising Cell Signal: Uniquely for such a remote location, some visitors have reported receiving an AT&T cell signal, allowing for communication and even photo uploads – a rare luxury in the deep Everglades.
• Westerly View: The chickee offers a direct view to the west, promising spectacular sunset vistas over the Everglades landscape.
• Sheltered Cove Location: Being set in a protected cove provides some respite from stronger winds that can affect more exposed chickees.
• Ideal for Multi-Day Paddling Expeditions: It's a crucial and well-placed overnight stop for those undertaking the challenging and rewarding 99-mile Wilderness Waterway paddle.
• Abundant Wildlife: The remote location ensures frequent sightings of diverse Everglades wildlife, including various bird species and marine life like dolphins.

As a backcountry campsite within Everglades National Park, Roberts River Chickee does not have a direct contact phone number for the site itself. All reservations and general inquiries for wilderness camping in Everglades National Park are managed through the National Park Service or their designated permit office. Reservations are strictly required to secure a spot at Roberts River Chickee and other backcountry sites, and it is highly recommended to make them well in advance, especially during the dry season (December to April) which is peak camping time.

For information regarding permits, reservations, and general park regulations, please contact Everglades National Park directly:

Address: Everglades National Park, Florida, USA (Specific physical addresses for the park's main visitor centers, such as the Ernest Coe Visitor Center in Homestead or the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City, can be found on the official NPS website).

General Park Information Phone: (305) 242-7700 (Everglades National Park main line)

It is important to note that wilderness permits typically need to be picked up in person at a designated visitor center, either the day of or the day before your planned trip. Always consult the official Everglades National Park website (nps.gov/ever) for the most current and detailed information on wilderness camping, permit requirements, safety guidelines, and booking procedures for chickee sites to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Remember to pack all essentials, including plenty of water, bug spray, and a free-standing tent.

Roberts River Chickee is an outstanding choice for local Floridians, especially those who are drawn to the wild, untamed beauty of their home state. For many, the Everglades represents a unique and essential part of Florida's identity, and this chickee offers an authentic and intimate way to experience it. Its suitability for locals stems from its ability to provide a profound escape, catering to the adventurous spirit that thrives in the Sunshine State.

The opportunity to camp on an elevated platform over the water is a distinct "Florida" experience, one that differentiates it from typical camping trips. For anglers, the reputation for excellent tarpon fishing in the vicinity makes it a highly desirable destination. Paddlers and boaters will appreciate its strategic location along the Wilderness Waterway, serving as a well-deserved rest stop on a longer journey or a perfect base for shorter explorations of the surrounding rivers and bays.

Furthermore, the often-present breeze and fewer mosquitoes, compared to some other backcountry spots, add a layer of comfort to the wilderness experience. The surprising availability of a cell signal for some users, while not guaranteed, offers an unexpected convenience for quick check-ins with the outside world. Ultimately, Roberts River Chickee provides a unique blend of challenging backcountry adventure with subtle comforts, allowing Floridians to disconnect, immerse themselves in nature, and forge unforgettable memories in one of their state's most iconic landscapes.

Roberts River Chickee

Florida, USA