We have vacation rentals throughout Southwest Florida and Naples is the southern-most city before you reach the Everglades. This geographic blessing means that Naples has a variety of unique hiking options, whether you’re more experienced or you’re just starting out.
Where Can I Walk in Naples, FL?
Freedom Park, The Naples Preserve and Gordon River Greenway Park offer easy hiking trails and relaxing scenery. They’re perfect for all types of hikers and are located near popular Naples’ shops and restaurants.
Freedom Park
At Freedom Park, there is a 3,500-square-foot boardwalk and the park features six lookout pavilions. The park is named after a memorial dedicated to the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001 and to the heroes of past and present wars. You’ll also see native plant and wildlife.
Gordon River Greenway
The 140-acres if the Gordon River Greenway features six native plant communities. Whether you’re walking, rollerblading, jogging, biking or walking the dog (yes, it’s dog-friendly!), you’ll love getting to know Southwest Florida’s unique natural beauty. Additionally, there are picnic pavilions, a canoe and kayak launch and fishing and look-out piers.
These two parks are near Coastland Center mall. It’s the perfect place to go when you’re done. Get inside and cool down, and then shop to your heart’s content.
Naples Hiking Trails
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is another choice. The boardwalk makes it a very accessible option.
The 2.25-mile boardwalk is a real treat. You’ll wander through a marsh, pine flatwood, wet prairie and the largest old-growth bald cypress forest in North America. This is an excellent place to go for birders. You could see songbirds, raptors, wading birds and the Painted Bunting.
There are a variety of trails within the CREW Land & Water Trust system in North Naples. They include the Bird Rookery Swamp Trail, CREW Marsh Trail, Cypress Dome Trails and Flint Pen Strand Trails. The trails on the Bird Rookery Swamp Trail used to be old tram roads from back when the area was logged years ago. Biking can be challenging on the terrain. As far as wildlife goes, you may see otters, deer, alligators, panthers or bobcats.
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Preserve has four quarter-mile-long trails. The trail system is called the Trails Through Time series. If you’re curious about the native plant life, there are signs along the way that can help you identify different types of species.
Visit the beach and enjoy the hiking trails at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. There is an observation tower at the far end of the parking area. We highly recommend checking this out. It overlooks the mangroves and it’s just beautiful.
If you’re up for a drive into the Everglades, Collier-Seminole State Park, Everglades National Park and Picayune Strand State Forest all feature great hiking trails for both beginners and experienced hikers. See what many refer to as Old Florida and catch a glimpse of what Naples looked like when settlers first arrived.
