Shark River Chickee

For adventurous Floridians seeking an unparalleled camping experience, Shark River Chickee offers a truly unique opportunity to immerse yourselves in the wild heart of the Everglades. Unlike traditional campgrounds on solid ground, Shark River Chickee is an elevated platform built over the water, providing a distinctive and unforgettable way to spend a night or more surrounded by the captivating beauty of Florida's iconic wetlands. This isn't your average RV park or tent site; it's a backcountry wilderness experience designed for those who truly want to connect with nature.

A "chickee" (pronounced CHI-kee) is a traditional Seminole and Miccosukee Indian word for "house" or "shelter." In the context of the Everglades, chickees are open-sided, thatched-roof platforms supported by posts, offering a dry and elevated camping spot in an otherwise waterlogged environment. Shark River Chickee, with its new aluminum design, provides a sturdy and reliable base for your wilderness adventure. It's a chance to experience the Everglades intimately, listen to the sounds of the swamp, and wake up to breathtaking sunrise views over the water.

This type of camping is perfect for those who are prepared for a true backcountry experience, embracing the raw beauty of the Everglades. It’s ideal for paddlers, boaters, and anglers who want to delve deeper into the wilderness. While it offers a unique solitude, it's also a reminder of the wild and untamed nature of Florida's interior. For locals, it represents an accessible escape into a world seemingly far removed from urban life, providing an authentic taste of Florida's natural heritage.

Shark River Chickee is located within the vast expanse of Everglades National Park in Florida, USA. Specifically, it's a single chickee structure situated on the south shore of a branch of the Little Shark River, approximately 0.3 miles south of Wilderness Waterway marker #6. This places it deep within the Everglades backcountry, offering a truly remote and immersive experience.

Accessibility to Shark River Chickee is primarily by water. It can be accessed by boat, canoe, or kayak at all tides. For those embarking on the renowned Wilderness Waterway, the chickee is accessible from the Little Shark River. Adventurous paddlers might also choose to navigate the aptly named Labyrinth route, approaching from the southeast. It's crucial for visitors to be aware of the strong tidal currents in the area and to plan their route and timing accordingly, especially for self-propelled vessels like kayaks and canoes. The journey to the chickee is part of the adventure, requiring careful navigation through mangrove channels and open water, adding to the sense of accomplishment upon arrival.

While Shark River Chickee is a wilderness campsite, it offers essential amenities for a comfortable backcountry experience:

• Elevated Camping Platform: The primary service is the sturdy, elevated platform itself, providing a dry and safe space above the water for setting up free-standing tents. The new aluminum design enhances stability.
• Port-o-let on the Dock: Each chickee site, including Shark River Chickee, is equipped with a self-contained portable restroom unit located on the accompanying dock. This is a crucial amenity for backcountry hygiene.
• Dock/Pier: The platform includes a dock or pier, making it convenient for tying up boats, kayaks, or canoes and for accessing the chickee itself. This allows for easy embarkation and disembarkation.
• Shelter/Cabin: While open-sided, the chickee provides a roof for shelter from sun and rain, which is vital in Florida's climate.
• Access to Water: While not potable water, the chickee's location provides access to the surrounding river, ideal for fishing or observing marine life. Visitors must bring their own drinking water.

Shark River Chickee offers several unique features and highlights that make it a compelling choice for backcountry campers in Florida:

• New Aluminum Chickee Design: The updated aluminum construction provides enhanced sturdiness compared to older wooden counterparts, offering a more stable and reliable camping platform. However, users should be mindful that hammock straps might slide on the aluminum posts.
• Suitable for Bay Boats: The location can comfortably accommodate a 23-foot bay boat, making it an excellent spot for anglers or those with larger vessels who wish to camp overnight.
• Proximity to Mangroves: The chickee is situated just off the mangroves. While this means mosquitoes can be present (as is common in the Everglades), it also offers a unique opportunity to observe the rich ecosystem of the mangrove forest, with its various residents audible throughout the night.
• Fishing Opportunities: Being on the Shark River, the chickee provides an excellent base for fishing, allowing campers to cast a line directly from the platform or venture out in their boats.
• Scenic Views and Photo Spot: The elevated position offers panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness, making it a prime location for photography and enjoying the vast beauty of the Everglades.
• Northern Exposure for Shade: The chickee is described as a "shady site, with northern exposure," which can be beneficial in the Florida heat, offering some relief from direct sun.
• Wilderness Solitude: As a backcountry chickee, it offers an unparalleled sense of solitude and immersion in nature, far from crowds and artificial lights, allowing for incredible stargazing and wildlife observation.
• Awareness of Natural Elements: Reviewers note that while it's a great spot, currents can be strong and it doesn't block all wind, preparing campers for an authentic wilderness experience where they remain connected to the natural elements.

As a backcountry campsite within Everglades National Park, Shark 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 required to secure a spot at Shark River Chickee and other backcountry sites, and it is highly recommended to make them well in advance due to popularity.

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

Address: Everglades National Park, Florida, USA (Specific physical address for the park's main visitor centers can be found on the NPS website).

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

Please note that wilderness permits often need to be picked up in person at designated visitor centers like the Flamingo Visitor Center, either the day of or the day before your planned trip. Always check the official Everglades National Park website for the most current information on wilderness camping, permit requirements, and booking procedures for chickee sites.

Shark River Chickee is an exceptional destination for locals in the Florida region, especially those with a deep appreciation for authentic wilderness experiences and the unique ecosystems of the Everglades. For Floridians who might already be familiar with traditional camping, this chickee offers a distinct adventure that elevates their connection with the state's natural beauty. It's not just a campsite; it's an opportunity to truly live within the "River of Grass," albeit temporarily.

Its suitability for locals stems from several factors. Firstly, it provides an unparalleled opportunity for solitude and a genuine escape from the often-busy urban and coastal areas of Florida. The journey by boat or kayak to reach the chickee itself becomes part of the adventure, offering a sense of accomplishment and a deeper appreciation for the remote landscape. For anglers and boaters, the ability to moor a sizeable bay boat and fish directly from the platform or nearby waters is a significant draw, leveraging Florida's abundant fishing opportunities.

Furthermore, while the presence of mosquitoes and natural currents are part of the experience, these elements serve as a reminder of the raw, untamed beauty of the Everglades—a landscape that is a vital part of Florida's identity. Experiencing the sounds of the mangroves at night and witnessing the unadulterated sunrises and sunsets from an elevated platform creates memories that truly define a Floridian wilderness adventure. For those who prioritize unique experiences over creature comforts, and who are prepared for self-sufficient camping, Shark River Chickee offers an unparalleled way to explore and appreciate the wild heart of their home state.

Shark River Chickee

Florida, USA