from colliergov.net
Collier County's desirable coast reaches its zenith at Barefoot Beach Preserve, where numerous animal species reside and visitors are able to enjoy the ambience of the park's natural surroundings.
Barefoot Beach Preserve is 342 acres of natural land, one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's southwest coast.
This beach park is an excellent example of the shifts in habitat that occur within a very narrow strip of land with only slight changes in elevation and moisture. 8,200 feet of beach and sand dunes support the growth of sea oats, providing nesting sites for sea turtles during the summer months. The park also maintains a tropical coastal hammock of sabal palm, gumbo-limbo and sea grape trees among many others. The site is also home to the protected gopher tortoise.
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.
Parks 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.
Boardwalk
Barefoot Beach Preserve Park has 401 parking spaces, 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.
from friendsofbarefootbeach.org
Barefoot Beach Preserve is a 342 acre Collier County park and Florida State Preserve containing a nationally recognized beach and one of the largest gopher tortoise preserves in Southwest Florida. Please help us in protecting the animals and plants that reside on this barrier island.
HOURS ~ The park is open from 8:00am to sunset, year round. The Learning Center is open all year. It is staffed by docent volunteers, seven days a week 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, December 1 through April 30.
PARKING ~ There are 356 parking spaces in the park. The parking fee is $8.00 per day. Parking is free to vehicles bearing a Collier County beach parking sticker. There are three (3) lots available at the Preserve.
FACILITIES ~ There is a Ranger Station located at parking lot #1. There are restrooms available at parking lots #1 and #3, as well as at the 1/2 mile marker on the west Saylor Trail. Food concession is available at the Park Ranger Station 10:00am to 3:00pm, 7 days a week until May 15, 2017. Beach chairs, umbrellas and kayaks are available for rent during the season at the end of the boardwalk off the first parking lot. A Park Ranger guided canoe trip through the estuary operates January 3, 2017 through April 28, 2017 each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30am - 11:00 am, weather permitting. Reservations are required. Call the Collier County Parks and Recreation office at 239-252-4024 or 239-252-4060. Fee: $10.00 per person.
AMENITIES ~ The Learning Center is located at parking lot #1. It contains displays of Barefoot Beach animal and marine life. Educational hand-outs about tortoises, shells, birds are available. During season, trained docents are on hand to answer questions and provide information. There is a butterfly garden and a cactus garden adjacent to the Learning Center. The Saylor Nature Trail is a 1-1/2 mile looped hiking trail through Barefoot Beach Preserve. The trail is accessible at the south end of parking lot #3 or off the northern path to the beach in parking lot #3, where a hiker can experience many of the native plants and animals of the Preserve. In the near future, many of the plant signs will have a QR code marker which will link to additional information.