Things to do in Naples, Florida (FL): The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas

January 13, 2022 Roger Rusk

Sunny Naples is a popular, sophisticated and charming beach destination on the Gulf of Mexico. It boasts many world-class hotels and resorts along miles of white sand beaches. The ocean surf is gentle and the people are friendly. Shoppers delight in searching for antiques, home furnishings, clothes and jewelry. With its beautiful neighborhoods and grand architecture, the atmosphere is elegant, yet relaxing. Sports enthusiasts spend glorious days pursuing their favorite activity, from golf to tennis to fishing. There are restaurants to suit every taste and budget. Even though it is a busy and cosmopolitan city, Naples offers easy access to secluded islands and the wilderness of the Everglades.
Restaurants in Naples

1. Bird Gardens of Naples

1060 Purple Martin Dr, Naples, FL 34120-4868 +1 813-841-1911 [email protected] http://www.birdgardensofnaples.org
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
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Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 296 reviews

Bird Gardens of Naples

Tours are by appointment only!Tour Information: Tours are held at 11:00am please arrive promptly .Wednesday- Sunday.Go to our website to schedule your tour. About Us: The Bird Gardens of Naples is a organization whose sole concern is parrot welfare in captivity and conservation of wild parrots. We are an outreach and placement program which places into safe custody, parrots which are abandoned, abused, or in need of a home for any reason. Parrots are intelligent, highly social and complex beings with a life span of up to 80 years. The individual bird's best interest and well being of the present flock will determine if a parrot is accepted into the organization. We actively support networking with other parrot welfare groups, animal welfare organizations, the veterinary community, conservation organizations and the general public. Education is of the utmost importance concerning the well being of a parrot and its ability to successfully live with its human companions. What to Expect:

Reviewed By funhunterEdgartown - Martha's Vineyard, United States

This place is a hidden jewel. The owner is an expert in the care and treatment of exotic birds. She shares her expertise in a 2 hour informational tour of the 2 acre grounds. There are all kinds of beautiful, well-kept, exotic birds - macaws, parrots, cockatoos, etc, etc. At one point you can go into a cage with these beautiful macaws who will sit on your shoulder and let you feed them. We brought our grandkids and they loved it. Wear bug spray as this area is a swamp. Worth the trip! You have to sign up for the tour. This was a great experience for all of us. (Bring unsalted nuts but no peanuts!!)

2. NGALA Wildlife Preserve

2755 Inez Rd, Naples, FL 34117-2906 +1 239-353-3572 http://ngala.net
Excellent
100%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

NGALA Wildlife Preserve

3. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples, FL 34120-4865 +1 239-348-9151 [email protected] http://corkscrew.audubon.org
Excellent
70%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,318 reviews

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Online reservations only. No walk-ins allowed. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a 13,000 acre Preserve. The Sanctuary is open Tuesday-Sunday from 8:00am-3:00pm with last admission at 1:00 pm. Timed tickets are available for 8am-10am, 10:30am-12:30pm, 1pm-3pm. Visitors will find a gentle, pristine wilderness that dates back more than 500 years. A 2.25 mile boardwalk meanders through pine flatwoods, wet prairie, around a marsh and finally into the largest old growth Bald Cypress forest in North America. These impressive trees, relatives of the redwood, tower 130 feet into the sky and have a girth of 25 feet. Their massive branches are draped with mosses, lichens, bromeliads and ferns. The forest is also home to alligators, otters, white-tailed deer and red-bellied turtles. A wide variety of wading birds, songbirds, raptors and the fabulous Painted Bunting can be seen throughout the year. Photo opportunities are available at every turn of the boardwalk trail.

Reviewed By saintnick76 - Southampton, United Kingdom

We were recommended the corkscrew swamp by one of the tram drivers at the Naples Grande hotel and really enjoyed our visit so much that we went back the following day (ticket price is for 2 consecutive days) During our visits we saw 600 year old cypress trees, woodpeckers, alligators, herons, anhingas and even a snake, towards the end of our 2nd visit we had the lovely sight of 3 raccoons running along the boardwalk right in front of us. Staff are knowledgeable and very welcoming and it is a worthwhile visit if wildlife is of interest

4. Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

300 Tower Rd, Naples, FL 34113-8031 +1 239-530-5940 [email protected] http://www.rookerybay.org/
Excellent
68%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 396 reviews

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve represents one of the few remaining undisturbed mangrove estuaries in North America. Rookery Bay's Environmental Learning Center is a state-of-the-art, air conditioned 16,500 square-foot facility with four research laboratories, classrooms, a 140-seat auditorium, and two story visitor center. The Environmental Learning Center offers a variety of hands-on experiences, including a 2,300-gallon aquarium and a marine life touch tank. Other displays in the learning center address coastal research, local history and ongoing conservation efforts within Rookery Bay. There is also a number of nature trails, a scenic overlook bridge, unique gift store, art gallery, and picnic area. Guided boat and kayak tours are offered seasonally from November to May. Check our website for more information.

Reviewed By R6735CZbobk - West Chester, United States

There are numerous educational exhibits in the information center, with docents explaining many items and live aquatic species. Outside there are several walking trails.

5. Conservancy of Southwest Florida

1495 Smith Preserve Way Admission Cost, Naples, FL 34102-3500 +1 239-262-0304 [email protected] http://www.conservancy.org/nature-center/plan-your-visit
Excellent
69%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 393 reviews

Conservancy of Southwest Florida

At the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, we believe the more we can connect people with nature, the more willing they are to protect it. And our Nature Center helps us to do just that! At the Nature Center, guests get connected to conservation through hands-on interactive experiences in the Dalton Discover Center, on our famous electric boat tours and in our Little Explorer Play Zone. The Conservancy Nature Center is also listed as Site #69 on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Here you will learn about the importance of our resources, understand the role the Conservancy of Southwest Florida plays in protecting those treasures and get inspired to take action to help protect our water, land, wildlife and future.

Reviewed By 908cathyh - Watertown, United States

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a very informative place to visit and learn about the environment of the area. My husband and I spent about two and a half hours there, which included a 45 minute boat ride. The cost of the boat ride is included in the entrance fee, but you do need to sign up for it when you arrive. We took the boat ride with Captain Stan and enjoyed our conversation with him. We thought that there was plenty of information for both adults and children. Many of the exhibits are hands-on. Many of the staff are volunteers and they were friendly and helpful. We would recommend a visit to the Conservancy!

6. The Naples Preserve

1690 Tamiami Trl N, Naples, FL 34102-5217 +1 239-261-4290 http://www.naplesgov.com/index.aspx?NID=590
Excellent
51%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
6%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 47 reviews

The Naples Preserve

Reviewed By libby3018

This was a lovely little boardwalk and we saw loads of gopher tortoises as well as a variety of birds. It’s a short walk but very nice to pass a half hour or so.

7. CREW - Bird Rookery Swamp Trails

1295 Shady Hollow Blvd., Naples, FL 34120 +1 239-657-2253 http://crewtrust.org
Excellent
80%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 244 reviews

CREW - Bird Rookery Swamp Trails

The Bird Rookery Swamp Trail offers 12 miles of hiking and biking trails, including an 1800-ft. boardwalk with wheelchair accessibility. Biking can be a challenge on the grassy/sandy trails, but quite rewarding. The maple-cypress swamp is home to alligators, otters, Florida panthers, bobcats, white-tailed deer and more. There is one port-o-potty at the beginning of the boardwalk and several benches along the trail within the first 1.5 miles. Beyond that there are no structures. Birders will delight in the abundance of songbirds that frequent the cypress trees along the boardwalk, as well as the many raptors and wading birds found along the trails. Barred owls are common and swallow-tailed kites frequent the area in summer.

Reviewed By ncabado - Buenos Aires, Argentina

I’ve lived in Florida on and off for 20 years and have never seen as much Florida wildlife as I have during this hike. We saw a bunch of different kinds of birds, raccoons, turtles, snakes, deer, HUNDREDS of baby gators and about 20-30 adult gators. It was incredible! I would recommend to anyone thinking of doing the full trail to come prepared with a hat, sunscreen, PLENTY of water and a snack. We hiked the entire trail and it took us over five hours. We severely underestimated how long it would take us and how hot it would be so about halfway through, we were unbelievably exhausted and dehydrated but at that point we had no choice but to finish it. Next time, I would probably do it on a bike or just do 3 miles each way. Although the further in you go, the more you see. We hiked it during mating season so believe me when I say, there were hundreds of baby gators with their mothers protecting them nearby. This trail is definitely not for the faint of heart, be prepared to come face to face with these gorgeous reptiles.. There is plenty of information at the beginning of the trail on the proper protocol to follow when encountering a gator in a safe, respectful manner. Come prepared and bring a camera!

8. TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS NWR

3860 Tollgate Blvd Ste 300, Naples, FL 34114-5444 +1 239-353-8442 http://www.fws.gov/refuges/trails/refuge.cfm?orgcode=41555#
Excellent
66%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 73 reviews

TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS NWR

Reviewed By michigander311 - Midland, United States

This is a great hike, filled with wildlife. The area was originally developed for oil exploration, which was eventually abandoned. What's left is the access road to the never used drilling site. Both sides of the improved road are swampy and filled with gators and large shore birds of a great many species. It's wheelchair accessible about halfway out where the road turns to packed gravel. Still worth the trip out to the 2nd bench for seeing the large gators. Viewing platforms are accessible to the 2nd, but not 3rd level. Still worth the stop.

9. Gordon River Greenway

Golden Gate Pkwy, Naples, FL 34102 http://www.gordonrivergreenway.org/
Excellent
63%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 144 reviews

Gordon River Greenway

Reviewed By BradM57 - Naples, United States

Need to educate with one identical on-line and on-site map of the common links to the Naples Airport observation deck, The Conservancy Naples Zoo and Baker Park, all linked by the walking and bicycle paths of the Gordon River Greenway.

10. Bayview Park

Danford Street, Naples, FL http://www.floridabywater.com/south-west-florida-/naples/boat-ramps/758-bayview-park
Excellent
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Good
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

Bayview Park

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