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Hickey Creek Canoe Trail
Hickey Creek Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. This trail, with its placid, tannin-stained water, makes a good half-day trip. The subtropical vegetation along the banks is home for wildlife including osprey and heron. You might also look for an eagle soaring overhead or a manatee in the creek. A southwest Florida stream, Hickey Creek has gentle curves and a slow current, but winds and high waves are possible on the Caloosahatchee River.

Locator
Hickey Creek Canoe Trail Map
Click here for printer-friendly map and description (PDF 315 kb).

Major Activities Paddling
Counties: Lee
Mileage: 4
Skill Level: Beginner
Difficulty: Easy
Usual Current: Slow (0-1 mph)

Notes and Precautions
Hickey Creek enters the Caloosahatchee River east of the SR 80 bridge, and is only accessible from the Caloosahatchee. Use caution on the river. Large boat wakes can be a hazard.

Access

  1. Franklin Lock Ramp – From I-75, take Exit 25, following SR 80 east to SR 31. Turn left (north) on SR 31 and travel 4 mi to SR 78. Turn right (east) on SR 78 for 3 mi to North Franklin Lock Rd. Follow signs to boat ramp. Note that the ramp has a fee. Launch from the north side of the river, then paddle upstream (east) two miles to Hickey Creek which is just east of the SR 80 bridge.
  2. Alva Boat Ramp – An alternative access point is located on Pearl Street in Alva (not on map), which is four and a half miles east of Franklin Lock Road on SR 78. The boat ramp is on the north side of the Caloosahatchee River and east of the SR 78 Broadway Bridge. After launching from the boat ramp, paddle downstream (west) to the entrance of Hickey Creek. The round trip back to the entrance of Hickey Creek is four miles.

There may be access points (both public and private) in addition to those listed here. Please remember that some sites require a fee for launching and/or parking.