Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Fort Myers Beach

"If you’re looking for a smaller beach, Sanibel Lighthouse Beach is an excellent option. There are bird sanctuaries, modern children’s playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. The beach itself is clean, with shaded areas and restrooms, covered cabanas, and picnic areas to enjoy."

"This 32-acre park houses a lighthouse that dates to 1884 and some of the best Sanibel Island beaches. Lighthouse Beach Park offers plenty of space to spread out and walk and look for shells in Sanibel Island. Other activities include picnicking, pier fishing, sailing and windsurfing."

"Located right near the Sanibel Lighthouse and spread across six lush acres on the island’s east end, this large condo-style resort with a private beach and two heated pools is one of the best hotels on Sanibel Island. Choose from one-, two- or three-bedroom condos, all of which have full kitchens and screened-in first or second-story patios for relaxing outside sans mosquitoes. There’s a marina if you happen to have your own boat in tow."

"The Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens are home to six acres of beautiful grounds with hundreds of flowers and tropical plants. Visitors have two options when it comes to seeing the gardens. You can take a 90-minute walking tour with a knowledgeable guide or enjoy a self-guided tour and take as long as you want to walk through."

"Whether you’re a guest or not, head over to the Sanibel Moorings Resort to check out their open-to-the-public six-acres of tropical botanical gardens, which are located near the Sanibel Lighthouse. The gardens include a hibiscus collection and a butterfly garden."

"J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is the premier destination in the area for seeing nature and wildlife. The visitor center, open to the public free of charge, is a great spot to learn about the ecosystems and animals, as well as the history of the refuge's founder, Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling. Informative displays, large picture windows, and the latest wildlife spotting information will get you right up to speed on everything nature related on Sanibel."

"Sanibel Island may be small, but it’s home to the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the country, which takes up an astounding 50 percent of the island."

"From Sanibel, it’s about a half hour to Fort Myers, where you can spend a leisurely few hours exploring the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. Then hit the road again for the 90-minute drive to Sarasota, where you can catch an opera performance, stroll the downtown art galleries, or gawk at the gaudy architecture of circus magnate John Ringling’s mansion. For fans of serious American architecture, a trip to Sarasota would be incomplete without exploring the scores of gorgeous and innovative buildings in the area, many of which were designed by a confederacy of architects known as the Sarasota School."

"Fast forward in time will bring you to the Edison & Ford Winter Estate. This well-preserved home of the great inventor Thomas Edison and automobile builder Henry Ford is a step back into the beginning of the last century. More than a winter getaway, the estate in Fort Myers also housed a massive laboratory and extensive garden. It was here in Florida that Edison had plants from around the world brought here to search for materials for his inventions."

"These beaches are your first impression of Sanibel Island and it’s not a bad one, if we do say so ourselves. The view from the causeway is amazing in its own right, but the Causeway Beaches are always teeming with happy beachgoers, parasailers, kiteboarders and boaters. It’s impossible not to feel relaxed as you drive by."

"Water lovers will appreciate kayak opportunities, and professional beach loungers will enjoy the sprawling picnic area, fishing spots, and sunbathing. There’s also plenty for water sports enthusiasts, including windsurfing and kiteboarding. Getting here can be a little challenging."

"The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is a wildlife rehabilitation facility that cares for over 3,000 orphaned, injured and sick migratory and native wildlife patients per year. Unlike your typical zoos, this veterinary hospital rehabs these creatures and aims to return them to their natural habitat. To make the most of your visit, join their daily presentations, which are led by a pro."

"The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife is a teaching hospital and visitor education center dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary..."

"Measuring roughly 3,500 acres, the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve has a fantastic 1.2-mile boardwalk through the Florida wetlands. Nature lovers will really enjoy taking a few selfies at this preserve’s many lookout points. This preserve is usually open between dawn and dusk every day, but always check the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve’s website for info on closures."

"Crescent Beach Family Park is actually a little sliver of Fort Myers Beach just south of the Fort Myers fishing pier. But this this section of shoreline is distinguished from the remaining seven miles, because it’s typically where many families hang out – as the name of the park implies. It’s one of the public beaches Fort Myers has that are super family-friendly."

"One of the most under-the-radar places to watch the sunset in Ft Myers Beach is Crescent Beach Family Park. This little slice of land is often overlooked for the larger beaches in the area, including Fort Myers Beach and Bowditch Point Park. That said, Crescent Beach Family Park is still worth a visit."

"The first stop of the day is the pristine beaches of Cayo Costa State Park. Known as one of the best places in the area for shelling, which is pretty impressive since Fort Myers & Sanibel are know as some of the best shelling destinations in the entire world. Fort Myers even created National Seashell Day, which falls on the first day of summer. Cayo Costa is a unique place where you’ll be all alone surrounded by nature in the beauty of these islands."

"Crescent Beach Family Park is actually a little sliver of Fort Myers Beach just south of the Fort Myers fishing pier. But this this section of shoreline is distinguished from the remaining seven miles, because it’s typically where many families hang out – as the name of the park implies. It’s one of the public beaches Fort Myers has that are super family-friendly."

"One of the most under-the-radar places to watch the sunset in Ft Myers Beach is Crescent Beach Family Park. This little slice of land is often overlooked for the larger beaches in the area, including Fort Myers Beach and Bowditch Point Park. That said, Crescent Beach Family Park is still worth a visit."