A complete environmental training advanced throughout the metropolis of Naples, the Naples Nature Heart is the ahead face of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
Since 1964, this regional nonprofit has raised native consciousness of crucial habitats throughout 5 counties and preserved parcels via acquisition and stewardship.
Overview map of the advancedInstantly south of the Naples Zoo, the Naples Nature Heart adjoins the mangrove-lined Gordon River on the alternative shore from the Gordon River Greenway.
Their top-notch Dalton Discovery Heart consists of hands-on actions, a contact tank, and loads of aquatic life amid its walk-throughs of Southwest Florida habitats.
Reef roomOn the heart, their training workforce leads two each day talks about nature, ideally suited for homeschoolers and households.
Thursdays are for Little Explorers, with particular applications centered round an indoor nature playground, the Little Explorer Play Zone.
Staffer on the Contact TankAt their von Arx Wildlife hospital, go to with recuperating shorebirds and birds of prey. A boardwalk results in a birding spot past.
Lease a kayak or take a 45-minute electrical boat tour for an up-close have a look at the mangroves alongside the Gordon River.
Kayak leases and launch on the lagoonThere are additionally two nature trails. The Lagoon Path tunnels to a boardwalk at Mangrove Level.
The Hammock Path loops hardwood hammock and pine flatwoods. Every has a number of interpretive stops.
Plant identification alongside the Lagoon PathAssets
Overview
Location: NaplesLength: 0.5 milesTrailhead: 26.16565, -81.78845Address: 1495 Smith Protect Approach, NaplesFees: Ages 12 and up, $17.95; ages 3-12, $9.95. Annual memberships availableRestroom: On the Discovery CenterLand supervisor: Conservancy of Southwest FloridaPhone: 239-262-0304
Open Tue–Sat. No pets. The advanced is usually accessible however the nature trails usually are not, as they’re pure surfaces. Insect repellent advisable.
A full revamp of the Naples Nature Heart begins Might 1, 2026, with a projected re-opening date of early 2028.
Throughout that interval, the vonArx Wildlife Hospital will stay open. Study extra right here.
Instructions
Hike
Begin your exploration of the advanced with a stroll via the displays of the Dalton Discovery Heart.
Interpretive panels, multi-media shows, and reside aquatic and land creatures present context in regards to the pure habitats alongside the character trails.
Uplands GalleryLeaving the entrance of the constructing dealing with the Allyn Household Lagoon and dock, make a left to stroll to the map kiosk.
The pair of nature trails start roughly a tenth of a mile from the parking space.
Proceed straight forward to start the Lagoon Path, a sticking near the sting of the lagoon inside deep shade.
Keep left of this kiosk for the Lagoon PathOutlined by items of limestone, the bark chip footpath enters a tropical hardwood hammock.
Beneath the forest cover are a sequence of beds the place native vegetation have been re-established.
Native plant mattressInterpretive indicators present explanations and botanical drawings for identification of vegetation discovered on this habitat.
Curving via the dense forest, attain a boardwalk. Large leather-based ferns rise from the forest flooring alongside its sides.
Mangrove BoardwalkThe prop roots of historical crimson mangroves dangle from branches overhead, making a surreal setting.
By a tangle of mangrove trunks and prop roots, catch a glimmer off the water alongside the Gordon River.
The river past the mangrovesReaching boardwalk’s finish, flip round and retrace it again to the footpath via the hammock, taking any facet paths left unexplored.
Returning to the principle path kiosk by 1 / 4 mile, make a left to move to the Hammock Path.
The Hammock Path begins previous the kioskProceed straight previous the kiosk for a clockwise loop. Enter an uplands hammock with scattered cabbage palms beneath slash pines and oaks.
The understory begins out comparatively open, the forest flooring lushly carpted with sword ferns and marsh ferns.
Interpretation alongside the Hammock PathGolden polypody fern emerges from cabbage palms and from stumps. Native to this area, a handful of royal palms rise into the cover.
Pine duff retains the path cushioned because it winds between clusters of noticed palmetto and the trunks of cabbage palms and pines.
Amongst palm frondsLook ahead to scattered big air vegetation and smaller bromeliads absorbing the humidity of the Gordon River basin.
Slipping previous interpretive signage, full the loop. One other small loop adjoining it walks via a butterfly backyard that includes native vegetation.
Exiting the loopReturn to the picnic desk clearing. Returning to the parking space after taking a stroll out on the dock, tally a half mile on this facet of the advanced.
Further brief walks behind different buildings discover a filter marsh and adjoining Christopher B. Smith Protect.
Tricolor heron alongside the Gordon RiverEarlier than you allow, take a guided ecotour on their electrical boats that glide soundlessly alongside the Gordon River.
These on-the-water excursions run 45 minutes, departing each hour on the hour from 10-3. They’re included together with your entrance charge.
Cruising the Gordon RiverPath Map
Discover Extra!
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See our pictures from the Naples Nature Heart advanced
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Articles collectively researched, written, and photographed by Sandra Pal & John Keatley, Florida authors and publishers of FloridaHikes.com.
