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
2026 Saturdays
April 11, 2026
November 14, 2026
December 5, 2026
2027
January 2, 2027 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
