Couple on a wooden boardwalk pointing at wildlife amid lush trees at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island

True to Nature

Explore outdoor wonders around every bend.

Time spent in wild places is time that heals and renews, bringing us peaceful moments and treasured memories. In Fort Myers’ parks and preserves, the relaxed pace is set by Mother Nature herself. Come discover the amazing diversity of ecosystems in Southwest Florida, including coastal waters, estuaries and bays, freshwater wetlands, pine flatwoods, and upland oak hammocks.

Listen to Nature's Soundtrack

Listen for the sounds of Fort Myers’ wild side, from haunting owl calls to the melodies of songbirds and the sharp cries of ospreys. It’s a soundtrack you’ll hear all around you – on the water, along our trails and in the treetops.

Barred Owl

Mangrove Cuckoo

Limpkin

Bird call recordings are courtesy of Andrew Kratter of the Ornithology division at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Expand to Listen to More Bird Calls

Incredible Nature Experiences

Strap on your binoculars to see birds and other wildlife on a hike. Check out the boardwalk trail at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers or explore Wildlife Drive at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. In Alva, hike near the river at Caloosahatchee Regional Park or visit Hickey Creek Mitigation Park, part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

Visit the boardwalk and paved trail at Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve East in North Fort Myers. Cape Coral’s 365-acre Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve has a lovely nature trail, and Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in nearby Naples is a top wildlife-spotting location.

Manatee swimming just below the surface in clear blue-green water.

Spotting a manatee gliding through our calm coastal waters is one of nature's most peaceful encounters.

See manatees throughout our waters year-round, including at Lovers Key State Park in Bonita Springs. Manatee Park in Fort Myers is a great place to spot these gentle giants in winter and early spring.

Immerse yourself in local ecosystems when you book a dolphin and wildlife cruise with a local tour company; take a full-day, guided “eco-safari” with Everglades Day Safari; or head out on an open-air swamp buggy ride with Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours.

Tip: Arrive in early morning, when parks open, for the coolest weather as well as the best bird watching and wildlife viewing.

Spending time in nature

just feels right.

Matlacha

Learn about the environment at discovery centers at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Lovers Key State Park, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and Rotary Park Environmental Center.

Ride the 25 miles of bike paths on Sanibel Island, or spend the day in Cape Coral, with more than 90 miles of interconnected bike paths. Mountain bikers will want to try out the trails at Caloosahatchee Regional Park in Alva.

Teens interacting with a turtle exhibit inside the discovery center at Lovers Key state park.

Lovers Key State Park, Bonita Springs

Child wearing a lab coat looking through a microscope at CROW.

CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife), Sanibel Island

Learn about wildlife rehabilitation during a fascinating Wildlife Walk Guided Hospital Tour at CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) on Sanibel Island.

See sensational sunsets and the night sky when you plan a camping adventure at historic Koreshan State Park.

Star-filled night sky framed by silhouetted trees.

Stargazing here feels like a magical escape from everyday life.

NEARBY NATURE ATTRACTIONS

Big Cypress National Preserve

About 90 miles southeast of Fort Myers, explore Big Cypress National Preserve's wilds by car, swamp buggy or on foot.

Outdoor adventurers can experience vast, untouched nature at Everglades National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spend a quiet morning at Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, home to the largest remaining old-growth bald cypress forest.