Hiking and Nature Trails of Southwest Florida

Collier Seminole State Park
Artifacts noting the final campaigns of the Second Seminole War are displayed, including a replica of a blockhouse used by US forces and local defenders during that era. One of the "walking dredges" used to build the Tamiami Trail during the 1920’s is on exhibit.

Port Charlotte
Kiwanis Park on Donora Street at Victoria Ave, has a jogging/fitness trail, a self-guided nature trail, and a lakeside Audubon trail. Also picnic facilities. It s open daily, sunrise-9.

Captiva
Residents and guests of North Captiva most often get around via golf cart. The trails make for good hiking along paths covering several miles that lead to preserved state park land.

Cayo Costa
On Cayo Costa, six trails cover five miles at the island's wooded north end. Cabbage Key provides a short, marked nature trail, perfect for walking off lunch.

Ft Myers
Three miles of trails loop through the woods at Calusa Nature Center, 3450 Ortiz Ave, 25-3435 Admission to the trails is included in the price of museum. See our story about the Calusa Indians.

Ft. Myers Beach
Bowditch Point Regional Park, at the north end of Estero Blvd 339-3300, and Carl Johnson County Park 432-2000, sponsor Full Moon Madness night hikes along their nature trails.

Sanibel
The best hiking trail on the islands takes you along four miles of natural habitat at Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation at 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, 472-2329.

Naples
Five miles of hiking trails intertwine with pine flatwoods and oak and palm hammock terrain at the edge of Corkscrew Marsh on Corkscrew Rd, 332-7771. The trails are open free to the public daily during daylight hours. Free guided tours are offered the second Saturday of every month.



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Hiking and Nature Trails of Southwest Florida by Jim and Cynthia Tunstall
				Much of Florida used to be a tangled swamp.
			Collier Seminole State Park Artifacts noting the final campaigns of the Second Seminole War are displayed, including a replica of a blockhouse used by US forces and local defenders during that era. One of the "walking dredges" used to build the Tamiami Trail during the 1920’s is on exhibit. Port Charlotte Kiwanis Park on Donora Street at Victoria Ave, has a jogging/fitness trail, a self-guided nature trail, and a lakeside Audubon trail. Also picnic facilities. It s open daily, sunrise-9. Captiva Residents and guests of North Captiva most often get around via golf cart. The trails make for good hiking along paths covering several miles that lead to preserved state park land. Cayo Costa On Cayo Costa, six trails cover five miles at the island's wooded north end. Cabbage Key provides a short, marked nature trail, perfect for walking off lunch. Ft Myers Three miles of trails loop through the woods at Calusa Nature Center, 3450 Ortiz Ave, 25-3435 Admission to the trails is included in the price of museum. See our story about the Calusa Indians. Ft. Myers Beach Bowditch Point Regional Park, at the north end of Estero Blvd 339-3300, and Carl Johnson County Park 432-2000, sponsor Full Moon Madness night hikes along their nature trails. Sanibel The best hiking trail on the islands takes you along four miles of natural habitat at Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation at 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, 472-2329. Naples Five miles of hiking trails intertwine with pine flatwoods and oak and palm hammock terrain at the edge of Corkscrew Marsh on Corkscrew Rd, 332-7771. The trails are open free to the public daily during daylight hours. Free guided tours are offered the second Saturday of every month.

		Click for Southwest Florida Camping Directory
	More Great Links: Florida Recreation Florida State Parks Florida Wildlife For directions, call Florida Trail Association 800-343-1882 (in Florida) or 352-378-8823 P.O. Box 13708, Gainesville, FL 32604. Office of Greenways & Trails 850-487-4784, Mail Station 795, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000. or try the mapping service below (some remote areas not available)
	One warning before you move on: Any time you venture into a state forest (not a state park) or conservation area there's a chance of encountering hunters. Call or write in advance for hunting seasons as well as a detailed booklet on the districtís properties (P.O. Box 1429, Palatka, FL 32178-1429).