Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

The Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1989 under the Endangered Species Act by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to protect the endangered Florida panther, as well as other threatened plant and animal species.

This Forest is a unique ecosystem combining wetland and pine flatwoods with cypress strands and dome swamps. Spanning over 115,000 acres of subtropical wilderness, the forest provides miles of trails for hiking and cycling, camping spots for enthusiastic adventurers, ample opportunities for swimming in rivers, lakes, and beaches as well as world class fishing. For nature watchers, Picayune Strand won't disappoint; there are plenty of species to explore from alligators to panthers.

Big Cypress National Preserve is a stunning destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Spanning over 720,000 acres, it is the largest national preserve in the United States East of the Rockies. Within its vast expanse, visitors can experience varied habitats like swamps, estuaries, pinelands and prairies teeming with an abundance of wildlife. This treasureland of natural beauty also boasts spectacular views such as watery grasslands and cypress strands that will mesmerize any visitor.

At the Collier-Seminole State Park you can picnic, hike, bicycle, canoe, camp, view wildlife, fish, and boat. Among the facilities are an RV park, four pavilion picnic shelters, a boat ramp, and a campground with youth, group, and primitive campsites.

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center provides visitors and locals with a wealth of information about the area. From boat tours and mangrove eco-adventures, to archaeological sites and hands-on programs for children, this visitor center has something for everyone. The center also provides local shoppers with expert advice on which shopping area is best suited to their needs. With regular activities like kayaking, seining, fishing trips, bird walks and much more.

Chokoloskee Island is one of the most beautiful places in Collier County, Florida. Located in the Ten Thousand Islands area near Marco Island, this small island sits on the doorstep of some of the best fishing, birding and exploration in Southwest Florida. Visiting Chokoloskee Island is a great opportunity to soak up all that Florida’s river and coastal ecosystems have to offer: mangroves and mudflats, bald eagles and ospreys, dolphins and manatees.