A delightful mixture of tropical gardens and animal exhibits, the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a county-owned property with a long and storied past.
Nearly a mile circuit of pathways meander around large enclosures and through lush gardens topped with the region’s signature royal palms.
Walking the Shoreline TrailLocated on the western shore of the Gordon River just north of an access point to the Gordon River Greenway, it adjoins that protected river basin.
A man-made lake and islands dating back at least half a century provides an expanse of waterfront where native birds gather and feed.
It is an excellent birding siteResources
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Overview
Location: Naples
Trailhead: 26.168249,-81.790896
Address: 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples
Fees: $27 ages 13-64; $26 ages 65 and up; $18 ages 3-12
Restroom: In several locations
Land manager: Collier County
Phone: 239-262-5409
Open 9 AM – 4:30 PM, last entry 3:30. Closes Thanksgiving and Christmas.
No pets. No smoking. Small coolers and picnic lunches permitted.
Discounts for county residents and Florida residents. Memberships available. Guided walking tours available.
Directions
From downtown Naples, follow US 41 north to the large retro sign pointing to the park, just north of Naples Preserve. Turn right on Fleischmann Blvd and take it to the park entrance.
About the Zoo
In 1917, botanist Henry Nehrling moved from Gotha to Naples after a freeze devastated his Palm Cottage Gardens near Orlando.
He established his “Tropical Gardens” in 1919 at this spot, and cultivated fancy leaved caladiums for sale.
Some of his original plantings remainNeglected after Nehrling’s death in 1929, the gardens lay wild until 1946.
That was when hotelier Julius Fleischmann, who took an interest in overhauling downtown Naples, purchased the property.
A tangle of tropical plantings in the old Nehrling GardensRestored and revitalized, it reopened as “Caribbean Gardens” in 1954, the name we remember from childhood visits.
A lush paradise of tropical plants, it lured tourists to Naples. Topped with a toucan, the big sign out on US 41 caught everyone’s attention.
The original toucan of Caribbean GardensBy 1969, wild animals became a part of the scenery. The park underwent a change of direction under Larry Tetzlaff, rebranded as Jungle Larry’s Safari.
A long-time animal collector and a stuntman for Johnny Weissmuller, “Jungle Larry” and his wife Nancy “Jungle Jane” produced nature documentaries in the 1960s.
In the 70s, they displayed many big catsTheir path to Naples started with a small zoo within Cedar Point, a popular amusement park along the shoreline of Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio.
Leasing Caribbean Gardens for a year-round site meant carefully siting their animal enclosures so none of the established gardens were displaced.
Enclosures shaded by a massive lofty figTwenty years after Larry’s passing, Fleischmann’s family wanted to sell the property. Voters in Collier County approved the county’s purchase of the zoo.
The name changed again, to the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. Nancy Jane Tetzlaff and her sons helped to shape what you now see.
Malaysian tiger enclosureAnimal enclosures are thematically clustered not far inside the gates. Both native species and exotics are represented, from gopher tortoises to anteaters.
A primate expedition cruise brings visitors close to islands in “Lake Victoria” to see a variety of primate species.
Lemurs on one islandA core portion of what was Caribbean Gardens sweeps towards the Gordon River basin. Notable trees dating back to each era of plantings are marked.
It retains a core of Nehrling’s original garden, with pathways winding between tropical trees making it a delightful destination for garden enthusiasts.
Path through a palm groveExplore More!
Slideshow
See our photos from the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Nearby Adventures
Gordon River Greenway Get a new perspective on Naples along the Gordon River Greenway, where you can hike, bike, or paddle through the city's urban mangrove forest.
Naples Nature Center Edging the mangrove-lined Gordon River immediately south of the Naples Zoo, this 21-acre Conservancy of Southwest Florida complex pairs learning with nature trails and wildlife.
Fred W Coyle Freedom Park In northeast Naples, an impressive network of accessible paved pathways and boardwalks meander across a mosaic of ponds and natural wetlands teeming with wildlife.
Naples Botanical Garden At Naples Botanical Garden, buildings, landscaping, and nature live in harmony, with a delicate balance of natural spaces and lush gardens accented with art achieved.
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