The Corkscrew boardwalk is always a pleasure, even when the animals are hiding! On our most recent…read morevisit the first half of the boardwalk was quiet - some bird calls in the distance but no sightings. The second half was quite different - numerous bird sightings including a barred owl and numerous egrets, an alligator and, for the first time ever, two otters! Every trip is different- sometimes it is just a quiet walk in the woods, sometimes the animals decide to share with us. It isn't a zoo, it is nature so anything can happen.

I do want to say that I love Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and have been going since I was a kid. This…read moretime, I got to bring my kids who are 12 (twins). My caveat is, perhaps, to call the Sanctuary and see how dry it is? When we visited, there was no "swamp" to be seen for much of it, and I've been many times so I knew where the water was supposed to be but because of the drought - nope. This made about 75% of the boardwalk walk very boring for my kids as there really were no animals to see. It was only when you get to the lettuce lake area that we spotted a few alligators. I was not happy that we drove an hour for my kids to not see much and be bored (and frankly, so was I). The Audubon does a fantastic job, the visitor center is wonderful, and the info on the trails is great...but the "no swamp swamp" got to us on this visit.

We spent about two hours at Pepper Ranch Preserve enjoying the majestic display of Southeastern…read moreSunflowers. The preserve was open for a weekend in October to view the sunflowers. Once in the preserve the roads are not paved and can be muddy, I have a low car and there was one area I was a little nervous about, but we did not have any problems. We were given a map of the preserve at the entrance where we checked in and the pleasant worker suggested the best location to see the flowers. The preserve is open weekends November through May except when there is hunting. There are camping sites available. There are hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails. The preserve is quite a distance off Alligator Alley, but it was worth the time to get there. I would definitely return.

Only open November through June!! Absolutely gorgeous but that is the only time it is open.read more

Enjoyable hike around the swamplands. Interesting sign about the vultures stealing the rubber…read moreseals on cars.

This is one of my favorite places to go and hike. There is no entrance fee and chances are you will…read moresee an alligator.

I was looking for a place to hike in the area but this was not the right spot. I should have looked…read moreat the size, it's not even a full four acres. This is one of a series what are called node parks in Bonita Springs. Lee County purchased this land for $400,000 on November 17, 2009. Oak Creek, from which the preserve takes it's name meanders through this small area. It was once a major tributary for the Imperial River and many pioneer families settled along its banks. Today Oak Creek is important because it is tributary to Estero Bay. This preserve is so tiny that it feels like you are standing in the backyard of one of the surrounding houses. There is no parking lot so you can just pull off to the side. There are sabal pine and oak trees here but it looks like someone is cutting down a lot of the trees. I am not sure what is going on here. Although not very good for hiking you could bird watch or take pictures. The bottom line is that there are many other great nature places to explore in this area. Unfortunately they are all currently closed sending me on a hunt for the more off the beaten path area. It is nice that Bonita Springs is preserving natural areas for wildlife but there is no reason for anyone to make a special trip here.

Love their Sunday concerts in the park. Bring your wine and your chairs and enjoy a beautiful night…read moreunder the stars. They're only there once a month and I plan on being there each month.

Riverside Park in Bonita Springs combines natural beauty with recreational offerings. This…read morepicturesque park has a serene ambiance and well-maintained facilities for visitors of all ages. The park's lush greenery creates a tranquil setting that invites visitors to unwind and connect with nature. Riverside Park's well-manicured walking paths provide a peaceful escape for leisurely strolls, jogging, or simply enjoying the scenic surroundings. The abundance of shade from mature trees adds to the overall comfort, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing afternoon. The pavilion, with its scenic backdrop, is an ideal spot for gatherings, events like Celebrate Bonita, Star Spangled Bonita, Taste of Bonita, Movies in the Park and many other events. It is also a perfect destination for a quiet picnic with friends. The park has unique public art and a Veterans Memorial. During the holidays the park is decorated making it the ideal backdrop for family photos. Riverside Park in Bonita Springs is a great resource for those seeking a blend of nature, recreation, and community. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat, a family-friendly outing, or an opportunity to engage in activities, Riverside Park is a must-visit in Southwest Florida. It's a testament to the city's commitment to providing residents and visitors with a haven of natural beauty and relaxation.

Pine Lake Preserve is a 174-acre preserve is located in South Lee County within the city limits of…read moreBonita Springs. This area is natural oasis is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. A pedestrian gate is available on Kent Road and you can park in the YMCA parking lot on Kent Road. A second pedestrian gate is located in the southwestern portion of the preserve near the Bonita Nature Place. The first parcel of the preserve was acquired on November 22, 2000. In the preserve is an easy 1.3-mile loop trail that takes about 22 minutes to complete. This trail is great for birding, fishing, and hiking. The trail is over mostly sand and grass surfaces in an exposed prairie area. The Bonita Nature Place connects to this trail for additional hiking. For those looking for a longer adventure, the Pine Lake Preserve Perimeter Loop offers a 2.4-mile trail along the fire lines that takes about 41 minutes to finish. These trails allow visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the preserve and experience its diverse ecosystems up close. Whether you're seeking a leisurely stroll or a more challenging hike, Pine Lake Preserve has something to offer for everyone. Pine Lake Preserve includes man made lakes surrounded by natural plant communities of mixed cypress pine, pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, and floodplain swamps which provides a diverse habitat for these creatures, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and nature photographers. The lakes provide important habitat for a number of wading birds such as herons, egrets, sandpipers, and Black-necked stilts. Alligators and otters have also been observed at the lakes. .Lee County's Pine Lake Preserve is not only a place of natural beauty but also a testament to the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship. An extensive invasive exotic plant removal project was performed to remove a dense coverage of melaleuca trees. Exotic plant control continues and a hydrological restoration project was completed in 2021 which reconnected the water from the Imperial River to the watershed to the east the way it was before development in the area. This project allowed water to flow south over Pine Lake Preserve into two shallow ponds that flow into the upper Imperial River. New native plants were also added to the area. In 2023 an 8-acre wildfire occurred in the southwestern portion of the preserve. Plant and animal communities are continuing to recover. Before planning your trip, note that portions of the trail can become flooded during rain. Additionally, be sure to bring appropriate footwear, sunscreen, and insect repellent to fully enjoy your time in the preserve.

This Preserve is a very difficult walk, staff has run over the trails with a disc harrow so the…read moretrails have 6 inches of soft sand at the surface.

an incredible 21-acre property dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment. Established…read morein the 1960s, the Conservancy combines education, conservation, and hands-on learning, making it a great stop for both adults and families. Your admission ($17.95 per person) includes access to a mix of indoor and outdoor attractions: Discovery Center -- A large, interactive space with educational displays on topics like climate change, invasive species, the water crisis, and local ecosystems. There's also a touch tank where you can get up close with sea life. Live Animal Feedings & Volunteer Presentations -- Knowledgeable volunteers provide extra insights about the wildlife and conservation efforts. Trails & Outdoor Spaces -- A short walking trail winds through the property, perfect for a peaceful stroll. Von Arx Wildlife Hospital -- While the hospital itself isn't open to the public, you can learn about how they care for injured and rescued wildlife and see where some of the animals are treated. Little Explorers Zone -- A dedicated building for kids, making this an especially family-friendly destination. One of the best parts of the visit was the electric boat tour of the Gordon River, which is included with admission. The 40-minute ride is led by a volunteer captain who shares fascinating details about the surrounding wildlife, plants, and ecosystem. If you're planning to take the boat tour, reserve your spot as soon as you pay admission -- we only had to wait about 10 minutes, but it can book up quickly during busy times. After the tour, we explored a few more of the buildings and stopped by the gift shop. Honestly, the shop was the least impressive of the ones we visited -- it mainly had basic branded items and nothing particularly unique, but that didn't take away from the overall experience. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is absolutely worth a stop, especially if you enjoy wildlife, conservation, and learning about Florida's ecosystems. Between the interactive exhibits, the river tour, and the chance to see firsthand how the organization protects local habitats, it's both educational and enjoyable.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is the perfect place to spend an afternoon learning about…read morelocal nature. We arrived just in time for their last boat ride of the day at 3 p.m. Their electric boat tours are a perfect way to explore the narrow channels of the Gordon River. We saw several birds, including a bald eagle and great blue, little blue, and green herons. Conservancy volunteers and employees, including our boat captain, were friendly and knowledgeable. Admission is $17.95 for adults and $9.95 for children, although we hold a family Conservancy membership so our admission (including boat ride) was free. We also enjoyed visiting the Conservancy's Dalton Discovery Center, which has various exhibits with native and invasive wildlife. We loved watching all the fish! This group also runs the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, which is an important wildlife rehabilitation center and hospital that takes in over 4,000 sick, injured, and orphaned animals every year. Very grateful to have the Conservancy of Southwest Florida in our area. I highly recommend obtaining a membership if you are local or simply visiting if you're on vacation.

This 6.8 acre preserve is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Pine Ridge Road…read moreand Logan Blvd. It is only accessible by walking or biking, There is no parking available. Before this parcel of land was acquired by Collier County on October 28, 2005, it had been zoned for single family, and there had been efforts made to rezone it to commercial. Collier County was able to preserve this natural habitat before it became another shopping mall. The trail contains a 620 ft. trail that extends from Logan Blvd. A picnic table and bench are located halfway through the preserve. There are no restroom or drinking water facilities.  Before this property and the lands around it were developed, the land was part of a shallow seasonal slough, which allowed surface water to move south and west during the rainy season. After the surrounding area was built on, this area became flooded during the rainy season and exotic plants like melaleuca and Brazilian pepper took over and crowded out native species of plants. After this land was turned into a preserve, exotic pants were removed and native plants like ferns were were able to return. While this land will never be what it once was before the surrounding development, a variety of native upland and wetland plants have begun to grow. Raccoons, armadillo and many species of urban birds are now commonly seen here. This preserve is important to the water flow of the area and as a refuge for plants and animals.