loxahatchee queen ii day trip

The boat ride is available on Tuesday and Wednesday, but Trapper Nelson's camp is not available then. The weekend finds the river loaded with canoers and kayakers and you will see no wildlife. Also, call ahead and find out when high tide is available for the boat to get to Trapper Nelson's camp.Low tide means the boat cannot get to Trapper Nelson's. Thus to see everything in a peaceful surrounding ,when you might see an alligator... go at high tide on a Monday, Thursday or Friday.

Mrs Too and I tried something new to us this winter, “camping” by renting a cabin for four nights in each of two Florida State Parks. Our days of RVing and tent camping are now only happy memories. We ran across this river tour during our stay at Jonathan Dickinson.The Loxahatchee is a Federal and Florida designated “Wild and Scenic” river. The tour is operated as a concession there, and is certainly a well executed feature. The fee for the trip is $20 a head, and well worth it. Be advised that there is also a not-too-subtle invitation in the form of a sign on the boat advising that “The Captain Works For Tips”. The “captain” cons his vessel expertly, while maintaining an interesting and highly informative narrative. Of course, being truly wild, there is no telling what one will see in the way of wildlife on any given tour , but you are certain to get a glimpse of many of the marine and amphibian inhabitants, as well as a fascinating assortment of bird life. The flora are exotic, varied and flourishing. Mangrove, bald cypress, everything with the notable exception of water hyacinth, regarded as a notorious plague by many Floridians, but evidently kept in check by the very large population of manatees, or “sea cows”. Those, you will certainly see.The tour is a point-to-point and return affair sandwiched around a most enjoyable visit to a primitive homestead, about which more anon. As often happens in nature, the return trip is only minimally repetitive, as the views on the way make for an almost completely different vista.The homestead visited at the end of the ride out was the home and base of a true frontiersman called Trapper Nelson. He moved to this location, which must have been extremely remote at the time, and hacked out a very comfortable compound for himself, eventually putting together a menagerie, lodging accommodations, and becoming perhaps Florida’s first tourist attraction. One of our favorite pastimes, now that we are passing mid-seventies and doing much of our exploring vicariously, is to return home and Google the Trapper Nelsons we encounter on the road. The references to this rugged individual will keep us entertained for months. Give it a try some ugly day when there is nothing else to do.Bring your camera, by all means, plus water and a snack as there are no such facilities on the tour. The Trapper Nelson site does have toilet facilities, however.

This trip was wonderfully enlightening and educational. We were bringing northern friends to see Florida habitat and we learned a lot also.

Old Florida is hard to find these days as populations and businesses increase . The Loxahatchee Queen II is an exception to this as you cruise down the river viewing gators, birds, turtles and wildlife like it was before Florida was really settled. The narration of the guide, driver is exceptionally knowledgable on that which you see. You arrive at Trapper Nelson's Camp and wonder how anyone could really live off the land back then. History becomes alive at this restored camp as you visit the buildings and land that presently exist. I recommend this as the top attraction to visit for learning and a wonderful 2 hours of enjoyment on the river. Bring your family and friends as the attraction is for all ages. I recommend the morning tours.

The 25-passenger Loxahatchee Queen II takes visitors on a two-hour tour of the river, with a stop at the restored camp of Trapper Nelson, the "Wildman of the Loxahatchee." Explore one of Florida's Federally and State designated "Wild and Scenic Rivers," aboard the Loxahatchee Queen II or the River Queen; both are a 25-passenger, Coast Guard-certified, stable and covered vessel. Join people from around the world on our two hour tour as it meanders along the beautiful Loxahatchee River. Marvel at the hardwoods, ferns and century-old cypress trees as you wind along this ancient sub-tropical stream. Your adventure will be narrated by your licensed Captain as he relates the history and wildlife of the river. From the comfort and safety of your own individual plastic armchair, view some of the state's endangered and threatened wildlife. Often seen are Alligators and the West Indian Manatee. . Frequently seen are various types of bird and animal life, such as Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great and Little Blue Herons, Egrets, Raccoons, Florida Peninsula Cooter Turtles and a variety of other species We saw alligators including 13 baby alligators, turtles, osprey and a bald eagle. We did not see any manatees on our visit.At the Trapper Nelson campsite, park staff lead visitors around the grounds and buildings of a true Florida original, who made his living off the land as a trapper and fur trader. Once fame caught up with Trapper, however, he evolved himself and his home into one of the area's first tourist attractions, "Trapper's Zoo and Jungle Gardens." Trapper's unsolved death in 1968 gives a fitting sense of mystery to the site. Trapper's is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday through Monday, and is accessible only by private canoe or boat or by the concession's tour boat. Call the park concession at (561) 746-1466 for information on times and prices for the Loxahatchee Queen II. Trapper John's site was well worth the visit. Kids will find the whole story very interesting. Our captain was very knowledgable (Captain Tom) as well as the volunteer ranger (Ron) at the site. My only complaint is that the captain was a bit chatty on the return trip. There are no concessions so be sure to pack your own water and snacks for the 2 hour boatride.