Backcountry Pearl Bay Chickee — Everglades National Park

This is a beautiful Chickee! Brand new and ADA certified as much as a platform over water can be! Both platforms have ladders and the eastern platform has small steps down towards the water level for those with limited mobility. This is the only chickee with railings and 2 porta-potties, one big enough for a wheelchair. The platforms were clean and both have cooking tables. This is a great one nighter, or a stop on the way to further sites like Hells Bay of Lane Bay chickee. It is semi-protected so one still gets a decent breeze, but expect the mosquitos to swarm after sunset; bring cards or a book to entertain you in the tent. The relatively short paddle is perfect for a first timer! It is among the shortest paddles for any chickee in the Everglades. Starts off through beautiful winding mangroves trails, then a short jaunt across the more open Pearl Bay and you're there! Even on a super windy day, this wouldn't be that bad as there's a lot of places to hide along the edges of Pearl Bay. If you are the first person to traverse the trail that day, keep an eye out for all the spiderwebs! We had a few horseflies on the paddle through the mangroves which was probably the worst part of the trip! There is no electricity, no freshwater, and minimal to no cell service.