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U.S. Highway 41 (Florida 45 and Florida 90)
Tamiami Trail
U.S. 41 serves South Florida and Southwest Florida as part of the Tamiami Trail, connecting Miami and Tampa. The highway is two lanes upon entering Collier County, but quickly widens to four lanes near its junction with Florida 951 and again to six lanes once in the urbanized areas of Naples. U.S. 41 remains a divided highway throughout Collier County, but it usually a slower route for through traffic. Interstate 75, which lies east of Naples, is the best alternative.
U.S. Highway 41 (Florida 45 and Florida 90)
| U.S. 41 Side Trip: Fakahatchee Strand |
| U.S. 41 between Marco Island and Miami passes through some of the most pristine wilderness through the Big Cypress National Preserve, Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, and Everglades National Park. This series of photos profiles the Fakahatchee Strand as seen from the U.S. 41 parking area. Photo taken 12/31/04. |
| Fakahatchee State Preserve has no entry fees, and it features a wooden boardwalk hike into the swamp. Winner of a gold medal award, the state preserve is a favorite stopping point for travelers crossing U.S. 41 en route to the Big Cypress and Everglades parks. Photo taken 12/31/04. |
| Wildlife is quite common through the Fakahatchee Strand, including a multitude of birds, plants, and animals. The endangered Florida panther and the ever-present alligator may also be found throughout the swamp, including within the preserve. This sign warns hikers to be wary of alligators, as they can be dangerous and unpredictable. Photo taken 12/31/04. |
| Sure enough, a very large, live alligator was lounging on the bank of the swamp just beyond the alligator warning sign. Photo taken 12/31/04. |
| A wooden boardwalk enters the swamp from the entry point, allowing walkers to stay above the water line. Photo taken 12/31/04. |
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| These swampy scenes show the Fakahatchee Strand, where a variety of plant and animal life abounds. Smaller alligators lounge on some of the larger pieces of wood and logs resting on top of the water. Photos taken 12/31/03. |
| U.S. 41 Side Trip: Abandoned Tamiami Trail |
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| Between Collier-Seminole State Park and Fakahatchee Strand, sections of old U.S. 41/Tamiami Trail (former U.S. 94) may be found. This particular stretch includes one old bridge and an extant two-lane segment that can be used for viewing wildlife from the banks of the swamp, including alligators. Note the year in which the bridge was constructed: 1952. Photo taken 12/31/03. |
| U.S. 41 Side Trip: Big Cypress Visitors Center |
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| Between Florida 29 and just east of the Collier-Miami-Dade County Line, U.S. 41 travels through the Big Cypress National Preserve. Between Naples and Florida 29, U.S. 41 travels northwest to southeast. After Florida 29, U.S. 41 is mostly east-west, and signs show U.S. 41 as east-west through Miami-Dade County. A visitors center for the preserve is located on the north side of U.S. 41 near Ochopee (home to the nation's smallest post office). At this center, alligators wait in the lake adjacent to the visitor parking lot. Photo taken 12/28/03. |
| U.S. 41 Side Trip: Follow Former U.S. 41 East (now Florida A1A North) to Miami Beach via the MacArthur Causeway |
Page Updated July 19, 2008.
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