Over the last 429 days (since Hurricane Ian made landfall), our staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly on the Randell Research Center’s Calusa Heritage Trail to clear vegetation and make repairs. On January 11, 2023 we were able to reopen 1000’ of the Calusa Heritage Trail to visitors. During the 2023 season, our volunteer docents and greeters made the most of it and visitors loved the experience.

Now, a larger portion of the Trail is once again open to visitors! We have the north-facing platform on Brown’s Mound, the Randell Mound stairway, and the walkway to Smith Mound open! While the footbridge is still in disrepair, we have opened our interior service road to allow the public to access the site on foot. We’ve been working hard to bring the trail back to what it was. We encourage people to come out and revisit the trail they love so much or discover it for the first time!

Calusa Heritage Trail Map 2023

Walking the trail and reading the interpretive signs is a great way to learn but joining a guided tour can be even more rewarding!  Led by our docents, morning tours are offered Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m. and afternoon tours are offered Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 1 p.m. No reservations are required, simply show up at the visitor center 10 minutes before the scheduled time of the tour. These tours allow you to journey into the past at a place where archaeology, history, and ecology meet and learn about the fascinating Calusa people and how they thrived in Pineland for thousands of years. Seasonal tours are offered through the middle of April (no tours on December 25th).

Requested donations for visitors to the Calusa Heritage Trail are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for children. Of course, members are admitted free. If you are unable to pay, please feel free to visit as a guest of our Friends organization. Income from donations and memberships makes it possible to maintain this important archaeological site.

The Calusa Heritage Trail is located at 13810 Waterfront Drive, Pineland, FL 33945.  The Trail is open every day from sunrise to sunset. The gift shop and classroom are open Mon.–Sat. from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (through Memorial Day) For more information, call 239-283-2157 or visit FloridaMuseum.ufl.edu/RRC.