CAPE
CORAL NATURE PARKS &
PRESERVES
FOUR MILE COVE
ECOLOGICAL PRESERVE
365-acre preserve featuring salt water wetlands with kayak
rentals, 5500-foot
boardwalk and
nature trails, 240-foot observation pier on the Caloosahatchee
river,
interpretative
center, picnic, restrooms, native plant sales on weekends Oct
thru May.
At the east end of
SE 23rd Terrace, Cape Coral - 239.549.4606
JAYCEE PARK
Riverfront park with playground, fitness trail, nature trail,
picnic areas,
shelter,
arboretum, restrooms. Frequent festivals and events.
4125 SE 20th Pl.,
Cape Coral - 239.573.5115
ROTARY PARK
ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
Many activities are scheduled throughout the year at Rotary
Park, including:
Eco Adventure Nature Camp summer educational camp for kids.
5505 Rose Garden
Road, Cape Coral - 239.549.4606
PINE ISLAND NATURE PARKS & PRESERVES
PINE ISLAND MONUMENT PARK
Historical information about the Calusa Indians.
Waterfront Drive,
Pine Island - 239.656.7748
PINE ISLAND
FLATWOODS PRESERVE
635-acre Lee County Conservation 20/20 preserve featuring salt
flats, wetlands,
and pine flatwoods,
along with endangered gopher tortoises and bald eagles. Intent
is
to retain it's
primitive character, so you'll find a 1 mile rustic trail and
small parking lot.
leeparks.org/2020/preserves.html
TROPICAL POINT
PARK
Picnic tables with waterfront view.
St James City -
239.656.7748
PUNTA
GORDA NATURE PARKS & PRESERVES
ALLAPATCHEE SHORES PARK
Canoeing, kayaking, fishing, picnicking
3100 Hickory
Court, Punta Gorda
BABCOCK RANCH
and TELEGRAPH CYPRESS SWAMP
90 minute swamp buggy tours - experienced guides offer in-depth
descriptions
of birds, animals,
plants raised on the ranch, opportunity to see panthers,
alligators.
8000 SR 31, Punta Gorda - 800.500.5583
CHARLOTTE
HARBOR ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
Environmental education, recreation and research. Two locations:
Alligator Creek Preserve
10941 Burnt Store Rd, Punta Gorda - 941.575.5435
and Cedar Point Park
2300 Placida Rd, Englewood - 941.475.0769
DON PEDRO
ISLAND STATE PARK
Swimming, fishing, nature study, beach walks, elevated sand
dune, picnicking, restrooms.
Accessible by boat
only, west of Cape Haze - 941.964.0375
PEACE RIVER
WILDLIFE CENTER
Rehabilitation center for wildlife. Guided tours.
Ponce de Leon
Park, 3400 W Marion Ave, Punta Gorda - 941.637.3830
CAYO CASTA NATURE
PARKS & PRESERVES
CAYO CASTA STATE PARK
Barrier island
accessible only by boat.
Ferry service
available from Tropic Star of Pine Island 239.283.0015.
Beautiful secluded
beaches, great shelling, swimming, fishing,
boating,
hiking, amphitheater, camping, rental cabins, restrooms.
Cayo Casta Island
- 941.964.0375
SANIBEL and
CAPTIVA NATURE PARKS & PRESERVES
J.N. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Fantastic bird and wildlife watching by slow driving car, biking
or walking.
Canoe, kayak and bike rentals available or bring your own.
Education center.
1 Wildlife Dr off Sanibel-Captiva Road at Mile Marker 2, Sanibel
- 239.472.1100
CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE INC (C.R.O.W)
11am Mon thru Fri guided tour of outdoor habitats, education
program, video.
3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel - 239.472.3644
SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Nature center, education complex, native plant nursery, nature
shop, nature bookstore.
Guided tours of native plant nursery, trails, butterfly house,
beach walks.
Natural history boat cruise and dolphin watch. 239.472.5300
3333 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel - 239.472.2329
FORT MYERS NATURE
PARKS & PRESERVES
NATURE PARK AT THE SHELL FACTORY
Petting zoo, ecological lab, park, and botanical trail through
habitats of
more than 200 species of fish, birds, camels, llamas, turkeys,
bunnies,
reptiles and other animals available for viewing, petting and
education.
2787 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers 33903
800.282.5805 or 239.995.2141 ShellFactory.com
ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization)
Guided tours through unique working demonstration farm
presenting practical
solutions to international hunger. Bookshop and edible landscape
nursery.
17391 Durrance Rd, North Fort Myers - 239.731.3965 www.EchoNet.org
CENTENNIAL PARK
Riverside park, pavilions, boat ramp, pier, sand volleyball
court, playground, restrooms.
2000 W First St, downtown Fort Myers - 239.338.2287 cityftmyers.com
CALUSA NATURE CENTER AND PLANETARIUM
Museum, trails, tons of programs and events including guided
nature walks,
butterfly presentations in the Aviary, home to 30 species of
Florida butterflies.
3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers - 239.275.3435 calusanature.com
CREW LAND AND WATER TRUST
Daily sunrise to sunset self-guided hiking trails.
4600 Corkscrew Rd, County Road 850, Immokalee area
Exit 123 off I-75 east for 18 miles. 239.332.7771 or
239.657.2253
LAKES REGIONAL PARK
Summer swimming, water playground, rock climbing wall,
playground,
boat launch, fishing, picnic shelters, bike and jogging trails,
fitness course,
concessions, marine rentals, train village, fragrance garden,
showers, restrooms.
7330 Gladiolus Dr, Fort Myers - 239.432.2000 or 239.461.7400 leeparks.org
LOVERS KEY STATE PARK
Canoe, kayak, bike and fishing rod rentals, guided kayak tours
through
Estero Bay and to Mound key. Fishing trips and boat tours on
the
Estero Explorer, back bay ecology trips, 3-hour bike tour of
Black Island.
8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach - 239.463.4588
MANATEE PARK
Manatee information and viewing areas, fishing deck, canoeing,
kayak launch,
trails, butterfly gardens, gift shop, picnic areas, grills,
restrooms. Kayak rentals
10901 State Rd 80, East Fort Myers - Opposite Florida Power and
Light Plant
Exit 141 east off I-75 - 239.461.7400 Manatee viewing update
line 239.694.3537
MATANZAS PASS PRESERVE
Historic cottage, trails, boardwalk, kayak launch.
119 Bay Rd, off Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach - 239.229.1610 or
Bay Oaks Recreation Center next door at 239.765.4222.
OSTEGO BAY FOUNDATION
Marine educational exhibits, aquariums, back bay/near shore
take, nature store.
Guided nature kayak tours in Estero Bay, Mound Key
nature/history pontoon
boat trips, tours of Marine Science Center and San Carlos Island
working waterfront - shrimp boats and shrimp processing.
718 Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Myers Beach - 239.765.8101 ostegobay.org
ROYAL PALM PARK
Royal Palm Park Rd., Fort Myers - 239.461.7400
SHORES NATURE TRAIL PARK
1/4 mile nature trail, small playground.
13114 Fifth St., Fort Myers - 239.728.2882
SIX MILE CYPRESS SLOUGH PRESERVE
Hiking, nature, boardwalk, picnicking, guided tours.
Ben C. Pratt-Six Mile Cypress Pkwy between Colonial Blvd and
Daniels Pkwy.
7751 Penzance Crossing, Fort Myers - 239.432.2004
ALVA NATURE
PARKS and PRESERVES
CALOOSAHATCHEE REGIONAL PARK
Equestrian trails, mountain bike trails, hiking, kayak
rental,
primitive camping, pavilions, restrooms.
18500 N River Rd., Alva - 239.693.2690 leeparks.org
ESTERO NATURE PARKS
& PRESERVES
KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE
Tours of historic Koreshan settlement, nature trail, picnicking,
canoeing,
kayaking, fishing, boat ramp, restrooms. No swimming. Canoe
rentals.
US 41 at Corkscrew Rd., Estero 2 miles west of I75
- 239.992.0311
BONITA SPRINGS
NATURE PARKS & PRESERVES
BONITA BEACH PRESERVE
One mile nature trail, guided nature walks, interpretive
programs, picnic areas, showers, restrooms.
South end of Barefoot Beach Blvd off Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita
Springs
239.591.8596
EVERGLADES WONDER GARDENS
Collection of Florida wildlife including panthers,
hawks, deer and wild boars.
27180 Old US 41, downtown Bonita Springs - 239.992.2591
NAPLES NATURE PARKS
& PRESERVES
AUDUBON OF FLORIDA'S CORKSCREW SWAMP SANCTUARY
11,000 acre natural ecosystem, trails, visitor center.
375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples - 239.348.9151
COLLIER SEMINOLE STATE PARK
Historic landmark, nature trail, mountain bike trail,
camping, fishing, boat ramp, boat tours, canoe rentals.
20200 Tamiami Trail E., 17 miles south of Naples - 239.642.8898
COCOHATCHEE RIVER PARK
Boat ramp, playground, pavilion, concessions, restrooms.
13531 Vanderbilt Dr, Naples, between Immokalee and Bonita Beach
Roads.
COCOHATCHEE NATURE CENTER
Eco boat tours on the Cocohatchee River, canoe and kayak
rentals.
US 41 between Immokalee Rd and Bonita Beach Rd.
12345 N. Tamiami Trail, Naples - 239.592.1200
CONNOR PARK
3/4 mile walking trail, open play and fishing areas
111th Avenue N, Naples
CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA/BRIGGS CENTER
Large aquariums with mangrove estuary critters, hands-on
exhibits.
6 miles north of Marco Island in the rookery Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve
401 Shell Island Rd off State Rd 951, Naples - 239.775.8569
CONSERVANCY OF FLORIDA/NAPLES NATURE CENTER
Conservancy Discovery Center, butterfly garden, wildlife
rehabilitation center,
hands-on exhibits, daily presentations, electric boat rides
though mangrove forest.
1450 Merrihue Dr, Naples - 239.262.0304 conservancy.org
SUGDEN REGIONAL PARK
Lake, paddle boats, beach, paved fitness trail,
playground, open play and picnic areas, pavilions.
4284 Avalon Dr., Naples - 239.793.4414
*Information courtesy of
BestInTheCape.com
