Estero Island ~ Fort Myers Beach  Trails ~ Waterways ~ Fishing Piers ~ Kayaks ~ Bird Watching You can follow a “virtual” trail to lead you to places on the island that have been preserved and cultivated as examples of native landscapes and ecosystems, including historical and archaeological sites. Throughout the island, there are scenic roadways, bike trails and nature trails including water trails through the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. I have brief descriptions and direct links to each of the parks and centers where you will find details which include addresses, phone numbers and park hours. The list generally follows from the northern end of the island to southern end. Bowditch Park is the tip of Estero Island that has Gulf to Bay views. Lynn Hall Memorial Park & Pier this is the pier at Times Square in the heart of town Matanzas Pass & Fishing Pier (main bridge onto the island. View from bridge picture here.) Ostego Bay Foundations and Marine Center located just over the bridge on San Carlos Island, this is a fun diversion for the kids. They have salt water aquariums, touch tanks and weekly walking tours to learn about the Coast Guard and waterfront & shrimping industries. Matanzas Pass Wilderness Preserve has 56 acres of boardwalk and trails. Experience the heart of a true island nature preserve complete with tropical forest, mangrove swamp, pristine bay views. The Historic Cottage is home to the Estero Island Historical Society. It houses Calusa Indian artifacts, shell collections and photos of pioneer life on the island. Bay Oaks Rec Center and Playworks this is the public park. Visit the playground with slides, towers & swings. Also, you’ll find facilities for baseball, soccer, basketball, & tennis courts. Newton Park, was the home of James & Ellie Newton, who’s inner circle of friends included Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone. Today, his beach front home serves as a small community center, including picnic tables, restrooms and chiki hut. The Mound House is an archaeological site featuring shell mound homes of the Calusa Indians. You’ll also find the home of the Cultural and Environmental Center. Hell Peckney Bay Canoe and Kayak Trail is a well-marked trail that takes paddlers through tidal creeks and shallow sanctuary waters of Estero Bay Aquatic Reserve and Hell Peckney Bay. Trail options are 3.75 to 5.5 miles long. For a pdf download for the kayak trail through estero Bay, visit The Great Calusa Blueway website to see 190 miles of mapped water trails. Lovers Key State Park is located over a bridge from the southern tip of Estero Island. Four barrier islands make up a 712 acre park. ~ On the Mainland ~ Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve Visitors of Six Mile Cypress Slough (pronounced Slew) Preserve love this place. The website is very well done and gives you lots of photos and information. I haven’t been here yet, but it’s going to be on my list of places to visit. I’ll report back. More Coming Soon! The Parks of Naples Collier County is home to some of the most beautiful parks and recreations areas in Southwest Florida. Most are included on the Beaches page in this website. Of note is Barefood Beach Preserve because it has an extensive footpath and other activities. Just Scroll over the park titles and underlined words for links. Barefoot Beach Preserve - Collier County Park A beautiful 342 acre preserve and beach. Definitely worth the trip... and getting to it, takes you through one of the nicest private neighborhoods imaginable. Located on the western end of Bonita Beach, enter the park via Bonita Beach Road turning south onto Lely Barefoot Beach Blvd. At the entrance to the Boulevard is a guard gate for the Lely community... just drive through on your way to the Barefoot Beach Preserve. The park is an barrier island that includes many trails and boardwalks. Park Rangers conduct interpretive sessions and guided canoe tours. One of our favorites! http://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/index.aspx?NID=106http://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/index.aspx?NID=106http://www.leeparks.org/facility-info/facility-details.cfm?Project_Num=0202http://www.ostegobay.orghttp://friendsofmatanzaspasspreserve.org/visit_the_preserve.phphttp://www.leeparks.org/facility-info/facility-details.cfm?Project_Num=0064http://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/index.aspx?nid=100http://www.moundhouse.org/http://www.calusablueway.com/articles/exploring-estero-bayhttp://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/estero/http://calusablueway.com/sites/calusablueway.com/files/phase_1.jpghttp://calusablueway.com/http://www.floridastateparks.org/loverskey/http://www.leeparks.org/sixmile/index.htmlhttp://www.colliergov.net/Index.aspx?page=439http://www.explorenaples.com/barefoot_beach_preserve_county_park.phtmlhttp://friendsofbarefootbeach.org/FOBB/schedule_of_events.htmshapeimage_4_link_0shapeimage_4_link_1shapeimage_4_link_2shapeimage_4_link_3shapeimage_4_link_4shapeimage_4_link_5shapeimage_4_link_6shapeimage_4_link_7shapeimage_4_link_8shapeimage_4_link_9shapeimage_4_link_10shapeimage_4_link_11shapeimage_4_link_12shapeimage_4_link_13shapeimage_4_link_14shapeimage_4_link_15shapeimage_4_link_16

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Fort Myers Beach