Natural Attraction

Sweetwater Chickee

Natural Attraction
A open air platform elevated over the water with two roofs and a blue portable toilet in between

You stand on an elevated wooden platform above open water and mangrove channels—the chickee's design keeps you dry while isolated from the wetland below. This platform sits on Pleistocene limestone substrate barely above sea level; the Everglades' defining characteristic is water dominance across an incredibly shallow landscape (9 inches per mile). The elevated chickee system represents mechanical adaptation to extreme hydrology: precise elevation to navigate seasonal water-level changes and tidal influence. From this vantage, you observe how geology and hydrology dictate human habitation in this landscape.

More details

Attraction Type
Backcountry Campsite
How To Get There
Paddling access via kayak or canoe. Located in Everglades backcountry at coordinates 25.7445°N, 81.2118°W. Requires wilderness paddling experience and trip planning via NPS Wilderness Trip Planner.

Location

Joe River Chickee

Mangrove cove at Joe River's mouth. Dolphins at night; tall trees shelter and concentrate mosquitoes.

Mahogany Hammock

Largest mahogany tree in America. Tropical boardwalk, wheelchair accessible.

Mormon Key

Sandy beach at river mouth with Gulf views and excellent fishing. Tides drive the landscape—camp high, secure vessels.

North Nest Key

High-traffic island campsite with thin beach, vault toilet, dock. Powerboat only. Mandatory dive flag for snorkeling.

Mrazek Pond

Winter magnet for Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks. Most of the year: dabbling ducks and herons.

Old Ingraham Highway

Historic 10-mile gravel trail with Taylor Slough vistas and tree islands. Seasonal flooding; dry season recommended.

Sources

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Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.