STA-5/6 Driving Access on Scheduled Days Only: Walking/Bicycle access Friday, Saturday and Monday.
Reservations required for Driving Trips
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sta-56-driving-bird-tour-tickets-15361938973?aff=oddtdtcreator
Through a partnership with Hendry-Glades Audubon, the South Florida Water Management District will offer to the public escorted birding trips to Stormwater Treatment Area 5 (STA-5/6) located at the Deer Fence Road Public Access Trailhead.
How to get to STA5/6 from South, East, and West STA-5 is about 28miles south of Clewiston
From Alligator Alley: From Miami: Get to Alligator Alley (1-75) via your favorite route (e.g., Turnpike, Palmetto, or I595 W) Go west to Government (Snake) Road at the Micosukee gas station (Exit 49). Take Government Road north to CR-835 (25.2 miles). Follow CR-835 for 3 miles to Deer Fence Road (on right at curve). Go east for 2 miles on Deer Fence (dirt road), cross the bridge at STA-5/6; continue on unpaved road to parking east of the tower.
From US-27: West on Hwy 80 or north on US-27 from I-75 to South Bay. Continue west on US 27 from South Bay toward Clewiston for about 13.6 miles. Look for Evercane Road (CR-835) and the J&J Ag. Products sign. Continue south on CR-835 for 26.7 miles to Deer Fence Road. Turn left onto Deer Fence Road (dirt road) for 2 miles, cross the bridge at STA-5/6; continue on unpaved road to parking east of the tower.
From Naples/Ft. Myers area: From the Naples/Ft. Myers area, make your way to the town of Immokalee via SR-29 or CR846. Once in the town of Immokalee, proceed east onf CR-846 watching for the “jog” in the road near the Immokalee Airport. Take CR-846 east all the way to CR-833. Make the very sharp right turn onto CR-833 and continue driving east to CR-835 as if going to Clewiston. Follow CR-835 for 3 miles to Deer Fence Road. Turn right onto Deer Fence (dirt road) for 2 miles, cross the bridge at STA-5/6; continue on unpaved road to parking east of the tower.
From LaBelle: From the LaBelle area, proceed east on Hwy 80 toward Clewiston for about 19.5 miles. Turn right on to CR-833 (south), continue for about 20 miles and turn left (east) at curve, drive about another 8 miles and turn left to CR-835 as if going to Clewiston. Follow CR-835 for 3 miles. Turn right onto Deer Fence (dirt road) for 2 miles, cross the bridge at STA-5/6; continue on unpaved road to parking east of the tower
2024
November 2
November 16
December 14
December 28 (Christmas Bird Count)
2025
January 11
January 18
February 1
February 15
March 8 (lead by Brian Garrett, SFWMD Biologist)
April 12
November 1
November 15
December 6
December 27 (Christmas Bird Count)
Dogs are not allowed at STA 5/6 particularly due to potential stressing of nesting birds etc., that could be impacted.
Register for trips through Eventbrite.
For information email Margaret England at hgaudubon@gmail.com or leave a message at (863) 517-0202.
Most participants finish before 1 p.m. The exceptions will be the Christmas Bird Count with teams meeting at 7 am.
Download Liability Release Form: Release Form
Bring the completed liability release from, water, snacks, and lunch. Walkie-Talkies are suggested. The closest gas stations are located at Big Cypress Indian Reservation, Clewiston, Montura, or LaBelle.
Donations are accepted by Hendry-Glades Audubon in order to help defray expenses to provide this program.
STA5/6 Public Use Area Map
