Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area
This site offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to bird in some of the most beautiful parts of rural Glades County Walk or paddle through extensive forested wetlands and floodplain marsh to see wading birds of all types, ubiquitous alligators, bald eagle nests and river otters. Swallow-tailed Kites are a major highlight from late June to early August. This Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is one of their largest pre-migration staging grounds in the country. You can also observe Red-shouldered and Short-tailed Hawks soaring overhead all year. The WMA offers parking, restrooms, and a viewing platform for your convenience. There are two main access points to the WMA, about half an hour’s drive from each other. Hikers should head to the Fort Center/Banana Grove Road location, while paddlers will enjoy launching from the Palmdale Campground.
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Sites At This Location
Fort Center
An outstanding experience awaits you at this WMA. Parking, restrooms and a viewing platform along Fisheating Creek are available. As you walk along the 1.5-mile trail to Fort Center, scan the pastures on both sides for Crested Caracara. Also keep watch for meadowlarks, sparrows and Wild Turkey, plus Red-shouldered and Short-tailed Hawks above.
Hours: 24 hours
Campground Entrance
An outstanding experience awaits you at this WMA. Parking, restrooms and a viewing platform along Fisheating Creek are available. As you walk along the 1.5-mile trail to Fort Center, scan the pastures on both sides for Crested Caracara. Also keep watch for meadowlarks, sparrows and Wild Turkey, plus Red-shouldered and Short-tailed Hawks above.
Hours: 24 hours
Fort Center/Banana Grove Road
As you walk along the trail to Fort Center, scan the pastures on both sides for resident Crested Caracara. Also keep watch for Eastern Meadowlarks, wintering sparrows and Wild Turkey. The vast floodplain marsh can be good for a variety of wading birds. as well as stately Florida Sandhill Cranes. Numerous duck species such as American Wigeon, Mottled Ducks and Ring-necked Ducks visit in winter months.
Site Information
Admission Fee Required for Entry
View Seasonal Hunting Information
Managed By: FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Operational Hours: Daily, 24 hours.
Size: 12,382 acres
Entrances
Fort Center
Address: 3010 Banana Grove Rd., Moore Haven, FL 33471
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Gaskin's Entrance
Address: 8359 US-27, Moore Haven, FL 33471
Palmdale Campground
Rent a canoe or bring your own, secure a shuttle from the Palmdale Campground and paddle slowly down Fisheating Creek through pristine cypress swamp. Enjoy views of herons and egrets so close you won’t need binoculars, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers that land on the gunwale of your boat.Belted Kingfishers announce your presence loudly and Wood Storks and Common Gallinules watch silently as you drift by. Water levels vary widely with rainfall; call ahead to confirm conditions. Opportunities range from a half-day float to a multi-day trip. Check out the paddling guide available on FWC’s website and call the campground at 863-675-5999 to make arrangements.
Site Information
Admission Fee Required for Entry
View Seasonal Hunting Information
Managed By: FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Operational Hours: Daily, 24 hours.
Size: 5,972 acres