With the promise of a beautiful day in the forecast at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, we decided to make a reservation to visit the Trapper Nelson’s Zoo and Jungle Garden, or what is left of it. The site is accessible only by canoe, boat or by tour boat. The Loxahatchee Queen pontoon boat would take us on a 90-minute tour of the river with a stop at the restored 1930s camp of Trapper Nelson, known as the “Wildman of the Loxahatchee” or “Tarzan of the Loxahatchee”.

Tickets which cost $32 for adults, children ages 3 – 12, $17 and children under 3 free can be purchased at the Jonathan Dickinson State Park Concession building down by the river.

Departures are normally Thursday through Monday at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. However, the tour is tide-dependent because the boat needs enough water depth to reach the site. On our particular day, due to the tides, the only tour available was at 1:00 p.m.

Very relaxing three mile boat ride. As we passed by cypress trees and jungle-like vegetation, mangroves and river wetlands, our tour guide would point out turtles, gators, osprey and other birds, types of trees and the history of the river.

Finally we arrived at the original dock where we disembarked and were greeted by a park staff member. As we slowly began walking the grounds, our guide explained that initially Trapper Nelson (aka Vincent Natulkiewicz) in the 1930’s had settled at a site downstream where he supported himself by trapping animals and selling their hides. As more development encroached that area, there was less game so he relocated upstream to where the homestead is located today.

It was here in the 1940s and 1950s, thanks to his development of a zoo and jungle garden that he soon became a local legend.

Slowly following our guide, she pointed out the hand-built Chickee hut (an open air wooden shelter with a thatched palm roof and cypress log supports), a water tower and Trapper’s cabin.

Inside the cabin, photos of his early life on the river, his military career and other memorabilia were on display, providing a telling snapshot of Trapper’s life and highlighting his many eccentricities.

We learned that Trapper was known for hiding money around his property. A fact that became evident in 1984 when more than 5000 coins worth about $1800 when mortar was pulled away from the fireplace by the park staff.

Although I could regurgitate much of the history that we learned during the tour, this article provides an excellent summary of Trapper Nelson’s life complete with photos. He closed his zoo in the 1960’s when he became increasingly isolated and lived more like a recluse until his death at the age of 59 in 1968. Although it was officially ruled a suicide, many think that his death was due to foul play. Even today, his death remains a mystery.

At the end of the tour, we once again boarded the boat and enjoyed another relaxing cruise back to the park’s concession area. After a hard day of sightseeing that evening we relaxed by the campfire while watching another beautiful sunset!