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Manatee Park

4.3 (169 reviews)
Open 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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Kelsey M.

No admission fee, just pay to park! Definitely worth it, walk along the river/canal or kayak along it to see the manatees!

Crystal F.

Cheap parking at only $4 and some change. This park is worth the stop! Time of year and temperature will play into how many manatees you will see. They have kayak rentals available. Picnic shelters are ample and they have a playground for the kids. Check their schedules for daily shows and educational speakers. We were able to see a few manatees.

David H.

Nice manicured park with a channel having manatee testing in the warm water of an electric power plant. Plenty of parking w a reasonable rate of $5.12/day. Gift shop w some video screens showing manatee and then a walk way through some nice grounds until you reach the sidewalks along the channel. A few viewing areas to watch for manatees. Can also rent kayaks to go out into an adjoining river for closer viewing. We saw wuite a few manatee, some large fish, but no alligators. Fun on a cool day.

Katelin K.

What a cute little park! This is a great meeting spot for friends and families. I met my sister at manatee park and we enjoyed watching the manatee swimming and a nice afternoon picnic. There is plenty of parking and lots of picnic areas. It has a few short trails, playgrounds, and a kayak rental/ launch area.

Lauren H.

I have lived here for five years and didn't know this place existed! What a cool and educational experience. The gift shop has some great option to make your visit even more memorable. We saw at least 27 manatees this chilly morning. We arrived early and there was plenty of parking for $2. I would highly recommend. There are free garden tours daily and kayaking for a fee.

Annie S.

Came in early November and saw some manatees! There are multiple viewing spots (some shaded) and we found 5 (including a baby) in the most shallow area. There was a guide who was talking to guests and answering questions, she knew a lot! We learned that that females only have one baby, and on occasions they will adopt. The babies stay with a mom for 2 years. Their skin is like an elephant, and in the winter when it is really cold there could be up to 200. Local farmers have been donating heads of lettuce for them to eat, and they could eat 20 with no problem. The best times to see manatees are December - March. -$5 all day parking - restrooms - options to kayak - gift shop with manatee themed gifts

Ariel W.

I am a manatee-fanatee. Even though I didn't see any gentle sea cows today, this park is 5 stars all the way. Manatee Park is located just outside the city of Fort Myers, on a small river that branches off of the Caloosahatchee River, near the Florida Power and Light plant. ​This 17-acre Regional Park opened in 1996. It was built on land owned by Florida Power & Light and it is run through a cooperative effort of partners & sponsors. Parking is $2 an hour or $5 for the day. The warm water discharged from the power plant attracts the manatees during the cooler months from November until March. On a cold day it is not uncommon to see upwards of 50 manatees. Once the water in the Gulf of Mexico heats up, they head out there. Florida manatees have only recently been removed from the endangered status list, although they still remain threatened. There are 3 covered observation areas along the river with seating and telescopes for manatee viewing. The observation paths are connected by paths lined with native plants and butterfly gardens. In addition to viewing the manatees the park has a visitors center and gift shop, nature trails, interpretive signs, picnic tables, and kayak rentals. There are over 16 acres to paddle. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset daily including holidays, and kayak rentals are available through Manatee Kayaking Company. This is an educational and fun park to explore.

Walking trail.
Lisa S.

Really nice walking trails to see manatees in different areas of the water. We really enjoyed our time here to see the manatees. There is a live webcam you can view anytime to see them too. Wonderful staff to assist if needed, parking staff wonderful, and a very nice store. We highly recommend a visit here.

Ashley B.

Great park to come see manatee in the winter. Family friendly with an educational program at 2pm daily. The water is a little mirky, but there were tons of manatee to see on the day we visited. Good public kayak launch which is free to use if you bring your own kayaks. You paddle through the mangroves for a bit before getting onto the Orange River. Winter parking fee is $2/hr for cars or $5 for the day.

Manatee Park, Fort Myers
Bruce K.

I didn't spot any manatees or momatees today but I did enjoy myself in this beautiful park. Not a zoo, this is a non-captive warm water refuge for manatees. That means that they can come and go as they please but you'll generally find the best results in the winter months when the water is warmer here than anywhere else in the Gulf of Mexico. Parking is only $2 an hour or $5 for the day. The gift shop (currently closed because of the pandemic) offers kayak and canoe rentals. There is a picnic pavilion (available to rent) and an amphitheater. Lots of walking trails that have educational information all along. The kids will definitely have a good time here. [Review 13295 overall, 613 of 2020.]

Mangroves
Garrett Z.

Nice park but if no manatees are around it is just pretty much a park. Think playground, a walking path by water, and picnic areas. There is a small gift shop that sells souvenirs of the manatees you may/may not see. You also have to pay for parking which feels cheating if you see no manatees and end up just playing on a playground. If I saw manatees, a solid 5 stars. No manatees, eh, it's just a park by a power plant.

Manatee and babies
Chelsea P.

Great place to watch manatees during the cool season. The kayaking is such a neat experience and affordable for the experience. Great place to visit! We came twice in one week!

Kayak Area
Judy R.

We took my Sister in Law from New York to see the Manatee's! It was a beautiful day but the park was very crowded. The parking lot is limited and we couldn't find an empty handicapped spot to park in. There were long lines at the parking machines. $1.00 for and hour or $5.00 for the day. There is also a small concession stand with a small gift shop and bathrooms. The line was out the door for the ladies room. We proceeded on to sit and listen to a volunteer tell us about the manatees. The viewing area was packed to the gills lol! There were lots of manatees and their babies. You can see that a lot of them have scars from boat propellers. There are benches and small trails where you can see flora and fauna. A kayak rental place where you can go out and actually see the manatees close up. If you walk on the boardwalk towards the back, there is a beautiful view of the Caloosahatchee River. People are fishing from the boardwalk. There are boats and kayaks going down the river. I really enjoy coming here, but wish the park could be upgraded. It almost looks run down with its old concession building and bathroom. The grounds themself look like they could use a pick me up. This park is really wonderful a wonderful addition for the area. We love supporting our local community parks and businesses. If you have a chance be sure to visit these beautiful animals!

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Nature experience. Clean. Plenty of space for parking and walking around. Clean facilities. Recommended.

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2 years ago

such a beautiful park! loved spending time here with my family. It was also very clean.

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to sunset daily including holidays, and kayak rentals are available through Manatee Kayaking Company.

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Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve - natural reserve

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

4.7(189 reviews)
9.0 mi

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers, Florida was honestly one of the most peaceful and…read morebeautiful places we visited in Southwest Florida. The entire preserve feels like stepping into untouched Old Florida, and the elevated boardwalk makes it super easy to explore without disturbing the wildlife or getting ankle-deep in swamp water... which honestly feels like a win. The preserve is incredibly well maintained, and everywhere you look there's something interesting to see. We spotted birds, turtles, fish, and even saw signs warning about alligators nearby. The towering cypress trees and reflections in the water made the entire walk feel calm and almost surreal. One thing we really loved was how quiet and relaxing it was. Even though it's located in Fort Myers, it feels completely removed from the city. It's the perfect spot if you enjoy photography, wildlife, nature walks, or just slowing down for a little while. The educational signs throughout the preserve also made the experience more meaningful because you actually learn about the ecosystem and why wetlands are so important in Florida. This is absolutely one of the best hidden gems in Fort Myers and a place we would gladly visit again. Check out our video on our socials @reessroots

This beautiful nature preserve features a raised boardwalk that winds through the slough, passing…read moreseveral scenic ponds along the way. The atmosphere here was incredibly peaceful, and the slow pace made it the perfect way to start the morning. Along the walk, we spotted plenty of wildlife -- including birds, squirrels, lizards, bunnies, and even an otter playing near the water. The boardwalk trail isn't very long and has multiple benches along the way, making it a relaxing spot to take breaks and soak in the surroundings. There's also plenty of shade, which kept it comfortable despite the Florida humidity. We had brought along bug spray, expecting mosquitos, but it turned out to be unnecessary -- we didn't see any the entire time we were there. It was a calm, refreshing start to the day and a great spot for anyone who enjoys nature, wildlife, or just a peaceful walk.

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Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve - Natural reserve

Natural reserve

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve - Hawk with fish on it's talons. You will never be able to get that on your cellphone!

Hawk with fish on it's talons. You will never be able to get that on your cellphone!

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

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All Children’s Park

All Children’s Park

2.8(5 reviews)
6.9 mi

I really wanted to love Lakes Park Children's Garden because honestly... the park itself is…read moreBEAUTIFUL. The location is great, it's gated, and at first glance it feels like the perfect spot to take kids, especially if you're just trying to kill time like we were before a flight. But I'm going to be real, the safety concerns completely changed the experience for me. It gets VERY crowded, and there's a big mix of people coming in and out. There were tons of kids, which is expected, but a lot of them were not supervised and were honestly pretty rough/mean. It didn't feel like a calm, safe environment where you can just let your kids play without constantly hovering. Also... the slides were SO hot. Like, borderline unusable hot. That alone was frustrating. The biggest issue for me though was the bathrooms. They are far from the main play area, and as a mom, there was no way I felt comfortable letting my kids go alone. When I did go, the bathrooms were extremely dirty, and I noticed syringes in a nearby area which was honestly alarming. That completely shifted my level of comfort. It also gave off the vibe that it's a place where people hang out who aren't necessarily there for the park, if that makes sense. I will say again, the park itself is beautiful and has so much potential. But just because it's gated doesn't mean it's actually safe. If you go, just be VERY vigilant, especially if you have more than one child. This is not a "sit back and relax" kind of park in my opinion.

All Children's Park is a brand new playground along the Caloosahatchee River in Centennial Park in…read moredowntown Fort Myers. The full name of the playground is the Lizbeth Benaquisto Inclusive Playground, in honor of the former state senator who pushed the legislation that set aside state funds for the playground."We were very particular there was going to be a playground that was successful for kids with very unique abilities," Benaquisto said at a January 2021 council meeting. "They have never had a safe place to play." The playground has swings, slides, and numerous climbing structures. I love all of the uniquely Florida touches like the puffer fish, manatee, and the Model T car in honor of Henry Ford who had a winter home in the city along with Thomas Edison. This is one of the nicest playgrounds I have ever seen and the kids playing on it we're having a ball. Best of all it is ADA accessible so children of all abilities can enjoy it. The new playground is a fantastic addition to Centennial Park.

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All Children’s Park
All Children’s Park
All Children’s Park

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Buckingham Trails Preserve - Trail layout using color code

Buckingham Trails Preserve

5.0(3 reviews)
4.6 mi

Pretty far east of Fort Myers, the Buckingham Trails Preserve is a 572-acre preserve and includes a…read more2.3 mile trail for hiking. I didn't go nearly that far today but I did walk some. The park is mostly pine flatwoods and open scrub with decent visibility and easy walking. There are two sets of looping trails - one is for pedestrian hikers only and the other is for hikers and horse riders. When you're on the horse trail, of course you need to be on the look out for, well, you know. The land in the preserve was formerly used as part of a World War II military training base from 1943 to 1945. It was used for training gun turret operators on Air Force (then the Army Air Force) bombing planes. There is a display at the entrance with brochures. Note that pets are not allowed in the preserve, even leashed. You must remain on the marked trails. [Review 16801 overall - 1525 in Florida - 314 of 2022.]

Buckingham Trails Preserve is one of many tracts of land acquired through the Conservation 20/20…read moreProgram. Parking area and a trail system were developed for hiking and equestrian use. This preserve was part of Buckingham Air Field, which was an Army Airbase used to train aerial gunners that were responsible for operating the 30 and 50 caliber turrets on B-17, B24 and other Bombers during WWII. The Air Field portion, a few miles away, is still operational and currently the home of Lee County Mosquito Control. Prior to air field, this was just swamp land located approximately about 10 miles East of Downtown Fort Myers. We took a Guided History Walk in this preserve. The hiking trail is little over 2 miles and the horseback riding trail is slightly under 5 miles. No stable is nearby so you must bring your own horse(s) for equestrian use! We did not witness any wildlife gopher tortoise, Sandhill Crane and some species of hawk are reported and sighted. The trail still has remnants of trap ranges and ground moving target ranges. An ongoing effort to eliminate invasive plants has made progress significantly with controlled burning. Two historians, Ted Mikita and Jim Zbick from Southwest Florida Military Museum, representative from Conservation 20/20 and Lee County Ranger were very active and conducted an informative and helpful guide. We enjoyed this hike and Thank you to Ted and Jim, Conservation 20/20 and Lee County Parks & Recreation for making this possible!

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Buckingham Trails Preserve - Ted and Jim from Southwest Florida Military Museum start the guided walk.

Ted and Jim from Southwest Florida Military Museum start the guided walk.

Buckingham Trails Preserve - Nice marker along the trail.

Nice marker along the trail.

Buckingham Trails Preserve

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Manatee Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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