Bird's eye view of the park

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park

Established in 1989, Southwest Florida’s Florida Panther National Wildlife is
located within the heart of the Big Cypress Basin, encompassing the northern
reach of the Fakahatchee Strand, the largest cypress strand in the Big Cypress
swamp. This Refuge protects core habitat for the endangered Florida panther
and all native wildlife who roam within the apex predator’s habitats.

Established in 1989, Southwest Florida’s Florida Panther National Wildlife is located within the heart of the Big Cypress Basin, encompassing the northern reach of the Fakahatchee Strand, the largest cypress strand in the Big Cypress swamp. This Refuge protects core habitat for the endangered Florida panther and all native wildlife who roam within the apex predator’s habitats.

Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 under
provisions of the Arizona-Florida Land Exchange Act of 1988. The Department of
the Interior conveyed 68 acres of Indian School property in Phoenix, Arizona
to Collier family interests in exchange for 108,000 acres in Collier County,
Florida. In addition, the Department received $34.9 million to establish
Indian education trust funds. Approximately 35,000 acres were conveyed to the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish the refuge. The remaining acreage
was added largely to Big Cypress National Preserve and Florida Panther
National Wildlife Refuge.

Several threatened and endangered species utilize the refuge including the
Florida manatee, peregrine falcon, wood stork, as well as the green, Atlantic
loggerhead, and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles.

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 under provisions of the Arizona-Florida Land Exchange Act of 1988. The Department of the Interior conveyed 68 acres of Indian School property in Phoenix, Arizona to Collier family interests in exchange for 108,000 acres in Collier County, Florida. In addition, the Department received $34.9 million to establish Indian education trust funds. Approximately 35,000 acres were conveyed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish the refuge. The remaining acreage was added largely to Big Cypress National Preserve and Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. Several threatened and endangered species utilize the refuge including the Florida manatee, peregrine falcon, wood stork, as well as the green, Atlantic loggerhead, and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles.

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Bird's eye view of the campground

Loop A

Loop B

Collier-Seminole State Park

An amazing world exists within the pristine mangrove-fringed waterways,
uplands and freshwater wetlands that can be found only a few miles away from
downtown Naples. This estuarine environment, where rivers meet the sea,
provides an ideal setting for visitors to enjoy a variety of outdoor learning
experiences and outstanding recreational activities, including boating,
kayaking, birdwatching and more. A good way to start exploring the 110,000
acres of coastal lands and waters enclosed within the Reserve is a through a
visit to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, a 16,500 square-foot
facility with research laboratories, classrooms and 140-seat auditorium two-
story visitors center. The visitor center offers a variety of hands-on
experiences, including 2,300-gallon aquarium and interactive exhibits that
shine a spotlight on the native plants and animals in the region as well as
research and stewardship efforts ongoing within the Reserve. Also at the
center is a nature store, art gallery, picnic area, butterfly garden, and an
observation bridge which leads visitors across Henderson Creek to the Snail
Trail and creekside viewing platform.

An amazing world exists within the pristine mangrove-fringed waterways, uplands and freshwater wetlands that can be found only a few miles away from downtown Naples.  This estuarine environment, where rivers meet the sea, provides an ideal setting for visitors to enjoy a variety of outdoor learning experiences and outstanding recreational activities, including boating, kayaking, birdwatching and more.  A good way to start exploring the 110,000 acres of coastal lands and waters enclosed within the Reserve is a through a visit to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, a 16,500 square-foot facility with research laboratories, classrooms and 140-seat auditorium two-story visitors center. The visitor center offers a variety of hands-on experiences, including 2,300-gallon aquarium and interactive exhibits that shine a spotlight on the native plants and animals in the region as well as research and stewardship efforts ongoing within the Reserve.  Also at the center is a nature store, art gallery, picnic area, butterfly garden, and an observation bridge which leads visitors across Henderson Creek to the Snail Trail and creekside viewing platform.

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park

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Nearby Parks

Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Collier-Seminole State Park

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve