Everglades Camp Lists for $2.5M

The Popenhager Camp has a history deeply rooted in the Everglades, with patriarch Nolan "Bud" Popenhager establishing the original camp. Bud was a known Gladesman, navigating the difficult terrain long before the area was a national preserve. His family, including his niece Nell, were active in the local community and the unique ecosystem of South Florida. A key feature of the property is the Romor Ranch Airport, the only privately owned, FAA-certified airstrip within the Big Cypress National Preserve. This grass runway, measuring 1,860 by 75 feet, allows for access by plane, a necessity for a property that is otherwise only reachable by off-road vehicle. The property for sale includes more than just the land and 900-square-foot cabin; it comes as a turnkey package for off-grid living. Included in the sale are a CJ5 Jeep swamp buggy, a 2.5-ton army truck, a diesel tractor, and a generator, plus two solar systems for power. Private land ownership was authorized when Big Cypress was established by Congress in 1974, creating a unique arrangement different from a national park. This "inholding" status allows for continued private use, including hunting and recreation, as long as it is not detrimental to the preserve's purposes. The Popenhager family were advocates for the creation of the preserve. In 1974, a Mr. Popenhager addressed the United States Congress during the hearings for the Big Cypress National Preserve, speaking about the family's properties. Living within the 729,000-acre preserve means coexisting with a diverse range of wildlife. The area is home to nearly 200 bird species, black bears, river otters, and the endangered Florida Panther. The camp itself boasts a resident six or seven-generation deer herd.