Encompassing over 1,300 acres adjacent to the Caloosahatchee River, Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve is a popular destination for hiking, biking, and paddling.
Broken into two parts, the property west of Interstate 75 provides a boardwalk and watercraft access to Pop Ash Creek, a tributary of the Caloosahatchee.
The eastern portion features a system of loop trails crossing diverse ecosystems with scenic views of the river and surrounding marshlands.
Paved path at Caloosahatchee CreeksResources
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Overview
Length: 4.3 miles
Trailhead: 26.711589, -81.791103
Address: 17100 McDowell Dr, North Fort Myers, 33917
Fees: Free
Restrooms: Yes, restroom at the trailhead.
Land manager: Lee County
Phone: 239-707-0862
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed pets welcome.
Directions
From the intersection of SR 78 and Interstate 75 north of the Caloosahatchee River, head east on SR 78 for 1.1 miles, before turning right onto a paved road next to a large sign for the preserve. Follow the road for a quarter mile to the trailhead at the end.
Hike
Starting at the parking area, a welcoming paved pathway leads past several pavilions before winding southward and crossing a grassy field towards a shady oak hammock.
An inviting picnic table rests alongside the path near the first trail junction at 0.1 mile. Turn left, beginning a clockwise loop on the Live Oak Trail.
Shaded picnic spot near trailheadCabbage palms and saw palmettos border the trail as it winds through the forest, reaching a trail intersection at 0.2 mile.
At this junction, the Live Oak Trail loops back, crossing a small section of wetlands on a boardwalk before reaching the trailhead at 0.4 mile.
Turn left to follow a crushed shell pathway to the East River Loop.
East River Trail junctionAlthough the East River Loop utilizes a raised berm, sections of this earthen structure have been removed to promote a more natural flow of water through the preserve.
It is highly likely that a wet crossing will be needed to complete the loop.
Turn left, heading towards one of the deepest dips in the berm at 0.2 mile, where the tidally influenced water levels can be assessed.
Water crossing at berm cut out for restorationRounding a tight corner, the trail parallels an arm of the river where the Caloosahatchee comes into view through a forest of mangroves clinging to the shoreline.
At the one-mile mark, a bench sits along the riverbank overlooking a wide expanse of brackish water as it flows gently towards the Gulf of Mexico.
Caloosahatchee benchThe sound of traffic gradually increases while approaching an interstate bridge at 1.8 miles, where the trail turns to leave the river.
Near the end of the loop, a sea of ferns gives way to lush greenery that increases in size as the topography rises to the north.
In the distance is a distinct border of cabbage palms with a background of tall pines behind them.
Uplands behind giant leather fernsClosing the loop at two miles, follow a crushed shell pathway for 0.2 mile before turning onto the Live Oak Trail and continuing for 0.1 mile to the Sweet Bay Trail.
Heading westward, a lengthy boardwalk bordered with ferns and wild coffee winds through a canopy of bay, oaks, palms, and strangler figs.
Wetland boardwalkAt 3.4 miles, an observation platform situated alongside the boardwalk overlooks a grassy marsh, where frogs chirp rhythmically among the dense vegetation.
Leaving the boardwalk as the trail climbs onto a patch of upland habitat, turn left onto the aptly named Fetterbush Trail.
Marsh overlookThick clusters of fetterbush lyonia line the path, sporting rosy bell-shaped flowers in the cooler months.
As the corridor cuts across an open pine flatwoods habitat, it curves back to the east, re-joining the Sweet Bay Trail under a shady subtropical hammock.
In 0.4 mile, the loops conclude where the paved path leads back to the trailhead in 0.1 mile.
Pine flatwoodsTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
A walk through Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve East
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring in this area.
Telegraph Creek and Bob Janes Preserves An impressive array of xeric, mesic, and aquatic habits is on display along a 4 mile set of loop trails traversing Telegraph Creek and Bob Janes Preserves. 
Caloosahatchee Regional Park Providing a rare peek into unspoiled upland and floodplain habitats along the Caloosahatchee River, Caloosahatchee Regional Park evokes the wilderness in which the Calusa lived.
Hickey Creek Mitigation Park Walk along a blackwater stream that sluggishly seeps towards the Caloosahatchee River on the way to a panorama of pines and palmettos along Hickey Creek.
Hickory Swamp Preserve Environmental restoration is on display at Hickory Swamp Preserve along a well-marked 1.2 mile loop trail designed by Scouts along the Orange River watershed. 
- Calusa Heritage Trail - November 5, 2026
- Scherer Thaxton Preserve - October 21, 2026
- Little Awesome Preserve - October 19, 2026