Florida Everglades Parks

Fakahatchee Strand - This strand (slow-moving river without defined shorelines) is accessible by boardwalk and ranger-led swamp walks one Saturday each month during the winter. A scenic drive through the preserve is popular with bicyclists. W.J. Janes Scenic Dr. in Copeland, off Highway 29 north of Highway 41

Marco Beaches

Marco Parks

Collier-Seminole State Park - The 6,400-acre park showcases vegetation and wildlife typical of the Everglades. Explore mangroves and cypress swamp by land or water via boat tours, canoe rentals and hiking trails. Tent and RV camping are available. 17 miles south of Naples on Highway 41

Naples Parks and Beaches

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary - This 11,000-acre preserve is the "crown jewel" of the National Audubon Society's sanctuary system. World-famous among photographers, birders and other wildlife watchers, the sanctuary hosts hundreds of alligators and almost 200 bird species, including nesting wood storks. Its 2.25-mile boardwalk meanders through the nation's largest old-growth cypress forest and a tropical jungle of ferns, orchids and wildflowers. 15 miles east of I-75

Big Cypress National Preserve - Vast, federally protected wilderness spreads from Naples' and Golden Gate's back door. Home to alligators, herons, bald eagles, white-tailed deer, bobcats and the endangered Florida panther. Big Cypress National Preserve borders Golden Gate to the east. Its Oasis visitor center is located east of Everglades City on Highway 41.

Everglades National Park - Northern Section - The northern section of the main park road will take you through the park entrance, The Anhinga Trail, Long Pine Key, The Pa-hay-okee Overlook Trail, and Mahogany Hammock.

Everglades National Park - Gulf Coast Visitor's Center, Everlades City -
The Gulf Coast Visitor Center serves as the gateway for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands and waterways that extends to Flamingo and Florida Bay. The visitor center offers educational displays, orientation films, informational brochures, and backcountry permits.

Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge - Two hiking trails are open to the public on the refuge. The trails are located about a quarter mile north of the intersection of State Road 29 and I-75. Open during daylight hours only, the trails provide the refuge visitor with a chance to experience the various habitats found on the refuge.

Ten Thousand Island National Wildlife Refuge - Ten Thousand Islands NWR is located in Collier County on the southwest coast of Florida. This 35,000 acres refuge protects important mangrove habitats and a rich diversity of native wildlife, including several endangered species. The refuge is part of the largest expanses of mangrove forest in North America. Approximately two thirds of the refuge is mangrove forest, which dominates most tidal fringes and the numerous islands (or keys). The northern third of the refuge consists of brackish marsh and interspersed ponds, and small coastal hammocks of oak, cabbage palms, and tropical hardwoods such as gumbo limbo.