Big Cypress Swamp
A massive ecosystem spanning more than a million acres, Big Cypress is a mosaic of sensitive tropical landscapes seen nowhere else in the United States.
Big Slough Preserve
North Port 1.0 milesAdjoining Carlton Reserve, Myakka River State Park, and Walton Reserve, Big Slough Preserve provides a vast space for wildlife to roam north of North Port.
Black Island Trail
Estero 5.5 milesAt the northern end of Lovers Key State Park, the Black Island Trail makes lemonade out of lemons with a scenic hike or off-road ride in natural landscapes reshaped for coastal development.
Botanically rich hikes along the Florida Trail
With more than 1,400 miles of hiking statewide, the Florida Trail provides a gateway to grand landscapes for botanical beauty. Here are our top suggestions for fascinating botanical destinations along the Florida Trail.
Bradenton
Between St. Petersburg and Sarasota, Bradenton is a coastal community on the Manatee River, home to a rich archaeological heritage and a national park, De Soto National Memorial.
Cabbage Key Nature Trail
Pine Island Sound 0.5 milesHike the Cabbage Key Nature Trail for a step back in time on an island known for its great cheeseburgers and layers of mystery, from Calusa times to a mystery writer's family retreat.
Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve East
Fort Myers 4.3 milesAn accessible paved pathway, boardwalk, and tidally flooded river trail offer a variety of options for exploring immersive landscapes alongside the Caloosahatchee River.
Caloosahatchee Regional Park
Fort Myers 3.4 milesProviding a rare peek into unspoiled upland and floodplain habitats along the Caloosahatchee River, Caloosahatchee Regional Park evokes the wilderness in which the Calusa lived.
Calusa Heritage Trail
Pine Island 1.3 milesAt the Randell Research Center, explore the remains of an ancient city on Pine Island along a set of trails with abundant signage detailing its history.
Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium
Fort Myers 2.0 milesHeaven and earth meet at the Calusa Nature Center, where a planetarium show complements the center's main mission of introducing the region's natural history, in part through its hiking trails.
Calusa Shell Mound Trail
Sanibel Island 0.4 milesNear the end of Wildlife Drive, this accessible boardwalk loops a site revealing the ancient Calusa culture that once flourished on Sanibel Island.
Cape Haze Pioneer Trail
Englewood 7.0 milesA legacy of Florida's early phosphate mining, the Cape Haze Pioneer Trail now provides a protected greenway through a very residential corner of Charlotte County.