Randell Research Center Pineland

"It was a trip well worth it, in my opinion, and I would go back again. There's quite a bit to see and learn about. The staff so Is friendly and a nice. Nice park for a walk"

Okay Allwright

"My wife and I visited here on 25 and 26 March 2025 during a three-night stay on Pine Island. On the morning of 25 March, we were lucky enough to arrive shortly before the facility opened at 10:00 am and we met a photographer from the research center's parent organization, which is the University of Florida's Museum of Natural History up in Gainesville. She was down there to re-photograph the facility, which had been heavily damaged by recent hurricanes and had just reopened following repairs and renovations. She introduced us to one of the local volunteers named Kevin, and he gave us a guided tour of the Calusa Heritage Trail site that was absolutely SUPERB. His knowledge of the Calusa Indians history, culture and their second largest village here at this site was every bit as a good a college archeology professor's. He spent a full hour with us giving us an amazing history lesson on one of the greatest native American tribes in history that was never conquered or enslaved by the Spanish conquistadors. The following morning we came back and did a self-guided tour of both the short and long loops of the Calusa Heritage Trail and it was almost like a Garden of Eden experience. We had perfect weather and saw lots of native birds, wild rabbits, and snakes during our 45 minute walkabout. If you are visiting Pine Island and happen to be any kind of a history buff, you DEFINITELY want to come here and can hopefully get a guided tour by one of their knowledgeable docents, and/or read up on it in advance so you can appreciate just how important this archeological site was to pre-Columbian American history. The best part of this place is that the tours and facility are open to the public and there is no admission or parking fee. They have nice clean restrooms and small gift shop with some excellent books for sale. The visitor center is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily, and the historical walking trails are open every day from dawn to dusk. The free parking lot holds about 30 cars. Additionally, the wonderful Tarpon Lodge is just across the street (30 yards away) and has a fabulous restaurant and bar where you can enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner (after you visit the RRC or hike the CHT) and also enjoy its awesome "Old Florida" atmosphere as well."

Edward Morton

"Beautiful and educational walk! We spent about an hour here. There is a classroom area and a lot of informational signs talking about the Caloosa people and the mounds. Path was about a mile long, made of soft sand and looks like it gets muddy after a rain. There were stairs to climb up two of the middens. Great place for birding.

There is a suggested donation of $7 per person."

Darla Dume