Get back to nature at SW Florida's facinating state and national parks

Naples Daily News Newcomers' Guide

All 156 Florida state parks are managed to appear - as closely as possible - as they did when the first European settlers arrived, and all offer quality recreational experiences.

About 14 million people visit Florida state parks each year, and some of the best are easily accessible to Naples area residents.

One of the most interesting is the 6,423-acre Collier-Seminole State Park, located just 17 miles southeast of Naples, off U.S. 41. It features a wealth of vegetation and wildlife that is typical to the Everglades region. The rare Florida royal palm is a common species here. Wildlife includes several threatened and endangered species, such as the brown pelican, wood stork, bald eagle, American crocodile and Florida black bear. Fishing, boating and canoeing are available, and boat tours are popular with all ages.

In addition, South Florida is home to three national parks: The Everglades, Big Cypress and Dry Tortugas.

Details on state and national parks found nearby follow. When visiting, take nothing but pictures; leave nothing but footprints.

Barefoot Beach County Recreation Area: On the Gulf of Mexico at the north end of Wiggins Pass in Collier County, off the west end of Bonita Beach Road. Free access with beach parking sticker; otherwise, cost is $3 per day.

Big Cypress National Preserve: 695-4111. With 729,000 acres, Big Cypress is twice the size of Rhode Island. One of 360 National Park Systems units (authorized in 1974), it is home to more than 20 endangered plants and animals, and nurtures seven orchid species found no place else on earth. In addition to cypress swamp, the preserve contains marsh, wet and dry prairie, mixed hardwood hammocks, sandy islands of slash pine and estuarine mangrove forests.

Big Cypress is the only national park in South Florida that permits off-road vehicles (including swamp buggies, air boats and all-terrain vehicles), but drivers must purchase a permit and have vehicles inspected at the ranger station.

There are eight primitive campgrounds and picnic areas to use free-of-charge (except with one that has some facilities with a small charge per campsite).

Big Cypress is home to the endangered Florida panther as well as black bear and others.

Big Cypress is on U.S. 41 between Miami and Naples (Ochopee). Exit at the Oasis Visitor Center five miles east of Monroe Station. For information, call the Visitors Center at 263-3532 from Naples.

Chokoloskee Island/ Smallwood's Store Museum: U.S. 41 E. to S.R. 29, then south on S.R. 29 through Everglades City and across the causeway. Smallwood's Store and Old Trading Post has a museum filled with memorabilia. Open daily from late November to May; summer hours vary. Call 1-695-2989.

Collier-Seminole: 17 miles southeast of Naples off U.S. 41. This park has an interpretive center, 130 campsites, picnicking, saltwater fishing, 9/10-mile nature trail, 6 1/2-mile hiking trail, canoeing and paddle boat rentals, and a concession store. Camping year-round, charges apply.

Canoe trips by reservation run in December and January, Sundays at 9 a.m. Tours are run by a ranger. Boat tours, 1-800-842-8898; information, 1-394-3397.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass: At the north end of Vanderbilt Beach north of Naples, County Road 901 off U.S. 41. This Gulf-side park has picnicking, swimming, saltwater fishing, and a boat ramp.

The entrance fee for walkers or bikers is $1 per person; the driver of a vehicle with no passengers pays $2, or $4 for up to eight passengers. Boat launching fee is $2. For information on programs offered by the park, call 597-6196.

Everglades National Park: Known as the "River of Grass," the Everglades attract 1.5 million visitors annually. This giant watershed flows south from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay and the Ten Thousand Islands, and provides residents of South Florida with water for drinking and irrigation.

Everglades National Park is the third largest national park, totaling 1,506,539 acres in Dade, Monroe and Collier counties. It has 137 miles of coastline, 484,200 acres in Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, 572,200 acres of saw-grass, 230,000 acres of mangroves and 220,000 acres of coastal areas.

The main visitors center entrance of the park is near Homestead on State Road 27. Four miles past that center is the Royal Palm Visitor Center. The Flamingo Visitor Center is 38 miles past the Main Visitor Center. There is the Flamingo Lodge with motel rooms and cottages, campgrounds (no facilities), a gift shop, the Flamingo restaurant and lounge and the Florida Bay Museum.

The full marina offers canoe, houseboat and skiff rentals, charter fishing and boat tours. Tram tours are also offered at Flamingo. For information on services and the park, call 305-221-8776.

The Shark Valley entrance is on U.S. 41 E. with walking trails and a boardwalk, a 15-mile loop road for bicycling (bike rentals available) and a tram tour. For information on Shark Valley tram tours and bike reservations, call 305-221-8455.

The nearest park entrance is the Gulf Coast Visitor Center and Park Ranger Station off State Road 29 south of Everglades City. Boat tours begin at 9 a.m. and run every 30 minutes to 5 p.m. They are about one hour, 45 minutes long. Tickets are $11 plus tax, children ages 6-12 are half-price, and children under age 6 are free. Canoe rentals are also available.

For information on boat tours call 800-445-7724.

Fakahatchee Strand: 16 miles east of Collier-Seminole, off S.R. 29 at Copeland. This nature preserve offers nature trails and hiking, along with a 2,300-foot-long boardwalk, passing by rare plants and cypress trees. Call 695-4593.

Lovers Key State Park: Off Bonita Beach Road between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach, this 1,616-acre park provides habitat for wildlife and offers fishing, swimming and picnicking. Small entrance fee. Call 463-4588.

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve: Home to an assortment of water birds. Operated by the Department of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Educational programs are provided at the reserve, and besides the staff researchers, the reserve is also used by visiting scientists. The educational program has two components: Targeting high school and college teachers, and programs for environmental professionals. Field work is combined with laboratory studies. There are both on site and outreach programs. There are also free-of-charge courses furnished on various topics.

The Briggs Nature Center, operated by The Conservancy Inc., is also there and compliments the programs of Rookery Bay.

There is no charge for entering the reserve. Visitors enjoy fishing, birdwatching, interpretive programs and boat and canoe trips at the reserve.

Visitors can reach the area by Shell Island Road off S.R. 951. By boat, Rookery Bay is just off the intracoastal waterway. Telephone 417-6310 (the reserve) and 775-8569 (Briggs Nature Center).