Florida Guide > State Parks
COLLIER SEMINOLE STATE PARK
Barron Collier was a rich business man who provided the funding for the Tamiami Trail which goes from Tampa to Miami. He provided one half of this Stae Parks name and the other half honours the Seminole Indians who along with the Miccosukkee Indians occupied this area from the 1800s.
In 1947 the land was acquired by the State of Florida and was turned into the park we know as Collier Seminole today.
The park extends from the Royal Palm Hammock to the Ten Thousand Islands and there are salt marshes and mangrove river estuaries that wading birds love.
There is tropical forest and most notably the Florida Royal Pine which is comparitively rare (except here!).
One of the most interesting things to see is the Bay City Walking Dredge which was created to build the afore mentioned Tamiami Trail.
The Historic Marco Rd provides a three and a half mile trail for walking or cycling or for the more ambitious there is a six and a half mile AND a nine and a half mile trail. These have viewing platforms and boardwalks, the better to view the wildlife and vegetation. Pick up a leaflet at the ranger station.
There are picnic areas with barbecues and a great playground with lots of play potential; that should cheer the little ones up!
If you hop into the visitor centre you can pick up a self guide tour and put all your questions to the ranger.
Look out for Alligators (of course) but also white ibis. raccoons and osprey. Take your binoculars and have a camera handy. We missed a great photo opportunity last year just because we did not have the camera at the ready.
You can rent a canoe here and it is worth while if you are experienced since there are thirteen and a half miles of winding water on the Black Water River that meanders through largely mangrove.
The entry fee for this park is $4 for up to 8 people and to hire a canoe will set you back $5. 30 for one hour or $26. 50 for a whole day.
Driving Directions The address for this park is
Collier Seminole State Park
20200 East Tamiami Trail
Naples
Florida
34114
Tel 239 394 3397
DIRECTIONS Going south from Tampa on I-75, take Exit 101 (SR 951 & SR 84) and turn right. Follow 951 to US 41. Turn left on US 41 and the Collier-Seminole State Park will be 8 miles on the right just past CR 92. Going west from Fort Lauderdale, take Exit 80 (SR 29), go south to 41 and turn right. Follow 41 for about 15 miles, and the Collier-Seminole State Park will be on your left.
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