Established in 1996, Estero Bay Preserve State Park was the first aquatic nature preserve created in Florida. The preserve encompasses 10,000 acres of water, inlets and islands along Estero Bay. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, canoeing and cycling along the roughly 10 miles of coastline. The preserve serves as home to a variety of local wildlife, which includes gopher tortoises, fiddler crabs and bald eagles.
Managed by the National Audubon Society, the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a 11,000 acre wetland sanctuary featuring one of the last remaining stands of Bald Cypress and Pond Cypress trees. A two-mile boardwalk offers walking access through pine flatwoods, wet prairie and marsh ecosystems. The sanctuary, which provides a home to more than 200 bird species, is a gateway stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail.
Lover’s Key State Park is a 712 acre preserve comprising four barrier islands: Lover’s Key, Inner Key, Long Key and Black Island. Lover’s Key offers two miles of pristine beach, while Black Island has over five miles of multi-use trails, a picnic area and two playgrounds. Those so inclined can rent bicycles, kayaks and canoes. Lover’s Key State Park offers a great diversity of wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins, West Indian manatees and marsh rabbits, as well as over 40 bird species, including bald eagles, snowy egret, osprey, roseate spoonbills, American kestrel, woodpeckers, warblers, hawks and owls.
The Bonita Springs Riverside Park, located along the Imperial River, offers an attractive setting for holiday celebrations, art shows, festivals, music in the park and even the occasional film night. Picnic makers will find an ample number of sheltered tables, park benches and restrooms. Kayaks can be rented along the riverside. The Imperial River Court, the Liles Hotel and six nearby bungalows were featured in the Sean Connery film “Just Cause.”