Naples, FL – The 7,271 acre Collier-Seminole State Park lies partly within the great mangrove swamp of southern Florida, one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world. The park’s region has an unusual blend of temperate and tropical native plant communities. The park features plants and wildlife typical of Florida’s Everglades. Although rare elsewhere, the park includes one of three original stands of royal palms in Florida. Collier-Seminole is home to the endangered Florida panther, as well as black bear and alligators.
We took a hike through Collier Seminole State Park
An alligator along our trail
The park is also a the site of a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the last existing Bay City Walking Dredge. Built in 1924, it was used to build the Tamiami Trail Highway (US Route 41) through the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp, linking Tampa and Miami and opening southwest Florida to travelers.
Collier-Seminole offers camping, canoe rentals, hiking, fishing and guided canoe trips. There is a boat ramp that provides access to the Blackwater River which meanders several miles through mangroves to Blackwater Bay and the Everglade’s Ten Thousand Islands.
The impact of Hurricane Irma (missing treetops) was visible along our trail
This small state park is located just south of Naples. It was less than 10 miles from the Naples Motorcoach Resort where we were staying. The park is open from 8am through sunset, 365 days per year. The day use fee was $5 in January 2017. We opted to hike the only trail that was open during our visit, the 3.5 mile trail. Hikers must check in at the ranger station located less than a mile south of the hike, where you will receive a permit to display in your vehicle. Hikers are also required to check out via either stopping back at the ranger station or phone. Unfortunately the area was hit hard by Hurricane Irma whose impact was seen throughout our hike. The other trail which is 6.5 miles had not yet reopened. Other places to visit in the region include Everglades National Park’s Shark Valley and the Big Cypress National Preserve.
