Collier-Seminole State Park - Florida

Address:20200 E. Tamiami Trail
Naples, Florida

Collier Seminole State Park is home to a National Historic Mechanical Landmark, the Bay City Walking Dredge, which was used to build the Tamiami Trail through the Everglades. The 6,430-acre park is filled with mangrove and cypress swamp, salt marshes, and mangrove river estuaries and wildlife, including alligators, raccoons, ospreys, and white ibis. Park-goers are welcome to enjoy activities such as biking, fishing, and picnicking as well as canoeing along the 13.6-mile canoe trail that flows down the Black River through a mangrove forest. In addition, Collier Seminole State Park boasts special events such as guided nature walks and a ranger's choice program. And if you choose to spend the night, don't miss the campfire circle, where campers can view slide programs on a variety of topics with park rangers.

This park features a wealth of vegetation and wildlife typical of the Everglades, plus a forest made up of tropical trees. Although rare elsewhere, the Florida royal palm is a common tree here. The park is also the site of a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the Bay City Walking Dredge. Built in 1924, it was used to build the Tamiami Trail highway (U.S. Highway 41) through the Everglades, linking Tampa to Miami. Hiking, bicycling, and canoeing trails offer opportunities for visitors to explore the park's remarkable wilderness. The park has canoe rentals along with a boat ramp that provides access to the Blackwater River, where anglers can enjoy both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Campers can spend the night in a full-facility campground; youth/group and primitive campsites are also available. The picnic areas have pavilions and grills for use on a first-come-first-served basis. Located on U.S. Highway 41, 17 miles south of Naples.