Barefoot Beach Preserve

Barefoot Beach

Clam Pass

Naples Pier

Favorite Beaches

Sanibel-Captiva

Wiggins Pass

Fort Myers

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• Beachcombing & Shelling – Barefoot Beach Preserve is a wonderful place for those interested in beachcombing and shelling. There are so many "treasures" to be found. But, before you come, Download a Shell Handout from Barefoot Beach
• Aquatic Butterfly Garden ~ with ponds and waterfall, a beautiful butterfly garden
• Tortoise Sanctuary ~ habitat of the gopher tortoise
• Saylor Nature Trail ~ A mile long trail winding through the trees to Wiggins Pass
• Osprey Platforms ~ Three poles and platforms for Ospreys have been constructed and installed. In addition, ospreys have established a nest on the trail in a dead tree.
• Xeriscape Cactus Garden ~ Just to the South of the Nature Center, in vivid contrast to the Butterfly Garden

The main gate to Barefoot Beach is open sunrise to sunset to allow visitor access to Barefoot Beach Preserve – County Park at the south end of Barefoot Beach.

When you arrive, you will be standing on Little Hickory Island, a barrier island with 342 acres of nature preserve some of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's southwest coast. Barefoot Beach Preserve offers us canoe tours, butter fly gardens and 8,200 feet of beach fun in a natural setting that runs south all the way to Wiggins Pass.

Barefoot Beach Preserve is popular for its gorgeous, plush surroundings and its opportunities for avid fisherman, who are able to enjoy many species of fish. The inland side of the island provides tidal creeks and mangrove swamps which serve as breeding areas and as a nursery for sport and commercial fish and shellfish.

Rangers offer a number of programs at the Barefoot Beach Preserve Park including lectures and interpretive programs. Park Rangers educate the public about the importance of the environment and wildlife in Southwest Florida. Subjects include a guided walk through the preserve, where visitors learn about the many habitats in the preserve as well as flora and fauna.

Rangers also provide a free recreation guide where they take visitors to look at the natural history of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle, some of which reside at the preserve.

Barefoot Beach Preserve Park has a 356 space parking lot, one-mile nature trail, showers, picnic area and a concession are where equipment may be rented and food and drink is available for purchase. The preserve also offers handicapped beach wheelchair access.

For information on Park Ranger programs call the Ranger station at (239) 591-8596 or call Parks Administration at (239) 252-4000. Pros: Little development on the south end of Barefoot Beach. Secluded from condominiums and commercial strips.

Cons: Slow drive from Bonita Beach Road to the preserve through the upscale development. Lone entrance at Barefoot Beach Boulevard, with a gatehouse and guard for private residences, can make it hard for potential visitors to find the beach.

Likely visitors: People seeking a more natural beach.

Getting there: Heading west on Bonita Beach Road, make a left on Barefoot Beach Boulevard, just before Bonita Beach. Continue through a series of private residences to reach the park entrance.

Parking: $8 entrance fee per vehicle or free for Collier County residents with a beach parking permit. There are three parking lots.

Facilities: There are restrooms, showers, concessions and picnic tables.

Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset

Other details: There is fishing gear and fishing ramps, two nature trails, butterfly and cacti gardens, shelling, lectures and guided tours, water equipment rentals and gopher tortoises.

Contact number: 239.353.0404

Video Tour: Cick here for a VIDEO of Barefoot Beach.

Barefoot Beach Preserve Park

Location: Barefoot Beach Road off Bonita Beach Road

Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown

Phone: (239) 591-8596