Chandler Slough is a beautiful 3,722-acre tract of cypress swamp, oak and cabbage palm hammocks and marsh habitats found about 15 miles north of the town of Okeechobee. This slice of old Florida offers something for everyone. It is a great spot for watching the abundant wildlife, including wading birds and waterfowl, and hikers can also access the Florida Trail which runs through the property.

Armadillo, bobcat, deer, gray squirrels, hogs, opossum, otter, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, turkey, snipe, quail, gopher tortoises, doves, and a variety of wading birds and waterfowl, alligator, fish, and frogs, are among the animals commonly found at Chandler Slough Management Unit. Panthers have also been recorded at Chandler Slough.

Horseback riding, hunting, hiking, bicycling, canoeing, primitive camping at designated sites and fishing are allowed. Campers and horseback riders need to request a no-cost special use permit. For more information see the Licenses and Permits section of this web site.

Hunting

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages hunting on SFWMD lands.  
Please visit www.myfwc.com regarding current hunt dates, regulations and directions to check stations to ensure the most accurate and latest information.

Florida's Wildlife Management Areas - Hunting Brochures

Directions

Chandler Slough is accessible by boat from C-38 and the old Kissimmee River run. Chandler Slough has two designated trailheads with parking.

• The east entrance is a designated parking area on Lofton Road with a walk-through gate. To get there from the town of Okeechobee, travel about 15 miles north on U.S. Highway 98, to Lofton Road. Look for the sign designating "Chandler Slough and Yates Marsh Trailheads". Turn left on Lofton Road and travel about 1.5 miles to the entrance on the west side of the road.
• The west entrance has a walk-through gate at the designated parking area on U.S. Highway 98, just north of the Kissimmee River bridge in Ft. Basinger. To get there from the south, travel about 18 miles north on U.S. Highway 98 from Okeechobee. The trailhead is on the east side of the highway, about 1.5 miles before the C-38 Canal/ Kissimmee River.