Trails/Hiking/Biking

THE CREW TRAILS

CREW offers exceptional recreational opportunities for people of all ages on over 23 miles of hiking trails with more planned in the future. The CREW project now has three trail systems open to the public, two located off of Corkscrew Road (County Road 850) (see map below) and one located off of Immokalee Road in Collier County, FL.

The CREW Marsh Trails (4600 CR 850, Immokalee, FL), the CREW Cypress Dome Trails (3980 CR 850, Immokalee, FL), CREW Flint Pen Strand Trails (15970 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135) and the Bird Rookery Swamp Trails (1925 Shady Hollow Blvd. West, Naples, FL)  are open from sunrise to sunset 365 days a year, except during CREW quota hunting seasons.

All trails are dog friendly, as long as the dog is kept on a 6-foot leash.  This is for the dog’s protection as well as the protection of other hikers. Many species of wildflowers are found blooming throughout the year. Birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and an occasional armadillo or rabbit may cross your path as well.

The CREW Marsh Hiking Trails (at Gate 1) offer 5.5 miles of marked loop trails winding through pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, a sawgrass marsh, and a popash slough (pronounced sloo). The marsh trails are open to hiking and are dog-friendly, as long as the dog is on a 6-foot leash. Bicycles are not allowed at the Marsh Trails. CREW Marsh Trail Map

(Directions to the CREW Marsh trails: From Naples/Bonita Springs/S. Fort Myers: travel  I-75 N to exit 123 (Corkscrew Rd.).  Travel 18 miles east on Corkscrew Rd.  You will pass the Cypress Dome Trails.  Go another 4 miles and you will see the CREW Marsh Trails on your right.  Look for the brown road signs. From N Ft. Myers/Charlotte Co./Lehigh Acres: travel I-75 to exit 138 (the ML King/S.R. 82 exit).  Travel east on SR 82 toward Immokalee for 20 miles.  Watch for a small blue CR 850 sign, then turn right on C.R. 850 (Corkscrew Rd.).  The Marsh Trails are ~2 miles down the road on your left.  Look for the brown road signs.)

 

Cypress Dome Trails – In addition to pine flatwoods and oak hammocks, the 6 miles of Cypress Dome Trails (at Gate 5) include two cypress domes and a beautiful deep woods mixed pine-palm-popash trail. The Cypress Dome Trails are open to hiking, trail biking, and are dog-friendly, too. Horseback riding and several short quota hunting seasons – both available by permit only – are permitted at these trails, too.    CREW Cypress Dome Trail Map

(Directions to the Cypress Dome Trails: From Naples/Bonita Springs/S. Fort Myers, travel  I-75 N to exit 123 (Corkscrew Rd.).  Travel 14 miles east on Corkscrew Rd.  The Cypress Dome Trails will be on your right just past a big curve to the left (north).  Look for the brown trail signs.From N Ft. Myers/Charlotte Co./Lehigh Acres: Travel I-75 to exit 138 (the ML King/S.R. 82 exit).  Turn left (east) off the ramp. Travel 20 miles toward Immokalee (east) on S.R. 82.  Turn right on C.R. 850 (Corkscrew Rd.).  You will pass the CREW Marsh Trails at the 2-mile mark. Continue for 4 more miles. The Cypress Dome Trails will be on your left.  Look for the brown road signs.)

 

The Bird Rookery Swamp Trails are located at 1295 Shady Hollow Blvd. West, Naples, FL 34106 – from Immokalee Road.

The Bird Rookery Swamp Trails offer 12 miles of hiking and biking trails, including an 1800-ft. boardwalk with wheelchair accessibility. The South Florida Water Management District completed the parking lot and entry trail in July 2011, allowing public access to this gorgeous area.

Bird Rookery Swamp is adjacent to Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The Trails are actually old tram roads used when the area was logged many years ago. Biking can be a challenge on the grassy/sandy trails, but quite rewarding. The maple-cypress swamp is home to alligators, otters, Florida panthers, bobcats, white-tailed deer and more.

Birders will delight in the abundance of songbirds that frequent the cypress trees along the boardwalk, as well as the many raptors and wading birds found along the trails. Barred owls are common and swallow-tailed kites frequent the area in summer.

Download a Bird Rookery Swamp Trail Map

BICYCLING

Biking is permitted at the CREW Cypress Dome Trails and at Bird Rookery Swamp, but not at the CREW Marsh Trails. A sturdy off-road bike is recommended, as are Kevlar or other puncture-resistant tires. The trails are grassy/sandy and the White Loop is narrow, curvy, and sometimes very wet (knee-deep or better). But the rewards are great. It is a beautiful ride and a good workout.

DOGS

Dogs are permitted on all the CREW Trail systems as long as they are kept under physical control at all times on a leash. Please clean up after your pet and be courteous to other visitors.