Inside the Skunk Ape Headquarters in Ochopee

Tucked within the wild, sawgrass-draped landscape of Ochopee, Florida, the Skunk Ape Headquarters is a roadside attraction unlike any other. Located in the heart of the Everglades, this small but well-known outpost serves as both a visitor center and research hub dedicated to one of Florida’s most enduring legends, the Skunk Ape.

The Skunk Ape, often referred to as the “Southern Sasquatch,” is a large, hairy, foul-smelling creature said to roam the swamps of the southeastern United States, particularly in South Florida. Reported sightings date back decades, but few have pursued the mystery as passionately as local expert Dave Shealy. The headquarters, which he founded, offers educational exhibits, wildlife tours, and a variety of evidence he’s collected over the years, including plaster casts of footprints and reported video sightings.

One such video, which Shealy claims captures the Skunk Ape moving through the Everglades, was highlighted by Smithsonian Magazine on their YouTube channel. In the clip, a tall, ape-like figure appears to walk upright across a marsh. The footage, paired with numerous photographs and eyewitness testimonies, has been described by some researchers as among the most compelling visual evidence of its kind.

According to Emily, an attendant at the Skunk Ape Headquarters, “Dave has seen the Skunk Ape four times since he was 10 years old. Smithsonian Magazine even said his photos and video are the best they’ve seen.” Visitors to the center can view these materials for themselves, alongside a growing archive of maps and sighting logs.

In addition to its cryptozoological displays, the headquarters is also part of Trail Lakes Campground, which offers airboat and swamp buggy tours into Big Cypress National Preserve. Whether regarded as folklore or potential zoological discovery, the Skunk Ape legend remains an intriguing part of Florida’s cultural and environmental heritage.