We bought our tickets for the eco-tour, and then went to see the visitor center. This state park has a lot of history, and the story of how it got its name is interesting.
When it was time for the boat tour, we were the only 2, so the captain said we could make it to Trapper Nelson's. If the boat had been full, we couldn't have gone because the boat would sit lower in the river.
The boat ride goes along the Loxahatchee River. The river banks are lined with mangroves so thick you can barely see light through them. As the water turns more fresh water, cypress trees become more prevalent. We saw a few baby alligators, several types of birds, fish, and turtles. No manatee and no snakes! There are also environmental reading stations throughout the area providing important information about the river to river management.
Further up river is the Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site that is reachable to the public only by the river. Kayaks are the most frequent mode of transportation to the site, but the boat tour makes it once or twice a day depending on river water levels.
Trapper Nelson lived on the site until his death in 1968. The pens, shelters, cabins, and vegetable stand are all still there. The site was a place that even the rich and maybe-not-yet famous would visit, including JFK as an 18 year old.
If you are ever in the area, this state park is worth the stop. Add another $6 to our state park pass usage count!
~ Cindy D.
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