CREW Cypress Dome Trail Map
CREW Marsh Trail Map
CREW Marsh Trails
Interactive soil-focused Google Earth tour of CREW Marsh Trails
Physical Address: 4600 CR 850 (Corkscrew Road), Immokalee, FL 34142
Hours: One hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset
Trails/Facilities: Free – donations accepted, Open to public
The CREW Marsh Hiking Trails (also known as Gate 1) offer 5.5 miles of marked loop trails through pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, popash slough (pronounced sloo) and along the edge of a 5,000 acre sawgrass marsh.
Most of the trails are wide and flat with some winding, single-track trails with roots present in the popash slough. An observation deck and tower offer wide views of the Corkscrew Marsh and visitors can hike out to Suzanne’s Pavilion for a picnic lunch approximately .7 miles from the parking lot.
The CREW Marsh Trails are part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Woodpeckers, flycatchers, warblers, hawks and owls are frequently spotted along with Swallow tailed kites, who nest here each spring.
This primitive trail system is free and open to the public. One port-a-potty is available at the trailhead and a kiosk at the trailhead provides maps and information for visitors. There are no trash cans on the trails or at the trailhead; all visitors are asked to follow the Leave No Trace principles and pack out whatever they bring in.
(click for printable map)
(click for self guided tour)
Activities:
- Hiking
- Nature study/photography
- Geocaching
- Birding
- Picnicking
- Running
- Dogs allowed – on leash
Directions:
From Naples/Bonita Springs/S. Fort Myers: Travel I-75 N to exit 123 (Corkscrew Rd.). Go 18 miles east on Corkscrew Rd. You will pass the CREW 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 County/Lehigh Acres: travel I-75 to exit 138 (the ML King/S.R. 82 exit). Travel east on S.Rr 82 toward Immokalee for 20 miles. Watch for a small blue C.R. 850 sign, then turn right on C.R. 850 (Corkscrew Rd.). The Marsh Trails are approximately 2 miles down the road on your left. Look for the brown road signs.
Google Map to CREW Marsh Trails click here.
Go back to Visit CREW page.
Bird Rookery Swamp Trail Map
CREW – Protecting Land & Water
10 Ways to Enjoy the CREW Trails This Summer
10 Ways to Enjoy the CREW Trails This Summerby Deb Hanson Summer is approaching and our schedule of events is empty. The CREW Trust has had a fabulous fall/winter season at CREW this year with the help of our project partners, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) staff who owns and manages the CREW lands, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission biologist who monitors wildlife and habitat at CREW, and our fabulous volunteers and FGCU interns who assist with guided walks, trail maintenance, exotics removal, and many other tasks. Since October 1st, 2012 over 6000 people participated in our guided hikes, strolling science seminars, school field trips, and special programs for CREW Trust members and the public. Thousands more explored the CREW trails on their own and have connected with the watershed in many ways. But don’t stay away from CREW just because we don’t have many organized summer programs planned. Come on out and enjoy CREW in a whole new way on your own. Summer is a time for the CREW trails to rest. With fewer footprints along the paths, grass grows taller, wildlife ventures out, and of course – with the arrival of summer storms – the water levels rise. By October, the marsh and swamps of CREW will be wet and green and teeming with animal activity. Summer is truly the most amazing time of year to experience CREW. So, put on your old sneakers and long pants, sunscreen and bug spray, and try one or more of these suggestions to enjoy CREW on your own this summer:
3. Track an Animal – hit the trail with one purpose: to track a critter. Summer means rain and softer ground, so tracks are more easily found along the trails. Challenge yourself to locate and identify five new animal tracks this summer. Grab a track field guide or app, a tape measure and a friend, then see what you can learn about animals that come out to play at CREW during the summer. 4. Just Sit There – 99% of the time people come to CREW walk, run or bike the trails. Rarely do people go to one spot and sit still. Yet 100% of the time, if you sit still in one place for more than 10 minutes you will see, hear, and experience more critters than in three hours of hiking. So, pick a trail, find a spot, and just sit there. Watch the magic happen.
6. Engage Your Senses – most folks walk and look when hiking the CREW Trails. Next time you go, take advantage of the summer humidity and focus attention on your sense of smell. Every animal and plant has a unique scent. Expand your sensory experience by listening and touching, too. Just be sure you can ID poison ivy first! 7. Take the Road Less Traveled – Do you take the same trail every time you come to CREW or have a favorite that you always share with friends and visitors. This summer, take a different trail or loop. Try the Pine Flatwoods Trail at the CREW Marsh or the White Loop/Wild Coffee Trail at the Cypress Dome Trails, or if you’re really ambitious (and well-prepared with water, food, and sun protection) try to get to the north or west tram at Bird Rookery Swamp. Head a new direction and see what surprises await you. 8. Awaken Your Sense of Wonder with a Child – Rachel Carson proclaimed “If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” So, take a child by the hand and explore CREW, experience bugs and birds, get dirty and wet, spend unstructured time playing in nature. You may be surprised at how much it helps you connect, too.
10. Catch a Sunrise/Sunset – all the CREW Trails are open to the public from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, so start your day right and head out to the Marsh Overlook early one morning this summer to watch the sun rise over the 5000-acre Corkscrew Marsh. Or, if you’re just not a morning person, try getting there just before dark to watch the sunset filtering through those billowing summer storm clouds. Either way, you’ll enrich your life and your spirit! However you choose to experience CREW this summer, we’d love to hear from you! Share your adventures with us by posting pictures and comments on the CREW Land & Water Trust Facebook page or send us an email to let us know what you did that was new and exciting. We’ll be publishing our fall/winter program schedule later this summer, so stay tuned…and have a wonderful time at CREW or wherever you spend your summer! |
CREW Volunteer, George Luther, Honored as Collier Tourism Star
On Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, CREW Volunteer George Luther was selected as the winner in the “Best Innovative Idea” category at the Collier County/Paradise Coast Tourism Awards ceremony. George was nominated by CREW staff for his Nature’s Peace at CREW program for Alzheimer patients and their caregivers. His nomination beat out 18 others submitted for the same category.
Here is George’s nomination description:
“George Luther came to us at the CREW Land and Water Trust in the fall of 2011 with the idea of leading hikes at the newly opened CREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail off Immokalee Road in Naples. After several months of successful hikes, and a chance encounter with an Alzheimer patient and her husband on one of those hikes, George came up with the idea to design a special guided walk for early-onset Alzheimer patients and their caregivers. He presented the idea to CREW staff and later to the Alzheimer Support Network in Naples. With the approval of that network and the CREW Trust, “Nature’s Peace at CREW” was born.
George designed the walk, planned the activities, and began connecting Alzheimer patients with nature. The guided walk consists of a very slow-paced stroll along the path of hard-packed crushed shell/limestone and the boardwalk at Bird Rookery Swamp. Along the walk, George stimulates the patients’ senses of touch, sight, smell and hearing by helping them observe natural objects that include plants, flowers, trees, water features, birds, mammals, reptiles, and butterflies. The accompanying caretakers get a brief respite from their daily duties of patient care while enjoying their loved one’s interaction with nature. George’s plan also incorporates the use of other CREW volunteers so patients have a more personalized experience. George welcomes each patient, designs and makes a special name tag necklace for each patient to wear, and provides them with walking sticks.
Brenda Brooks, CREW’s Executive Director is eager to have these special visitors at CREW. “Hikers, photographers, mountain bikers and birders are just a few of the groups that enjoy CREW. Now, these guided walks will allow Alzheimer patients to benefit as well. Research has shown that Alzheimer patients benefit greatly when interacting with nature, and we’re thrilled to offer the opportunity for these patients to engage in healing walks at CREW”.
The first two walks in October and November demonstrated the power of the experiences. Patients who arrived with heads down, silent and closed off, left laughing and joking and happy. Caregivers thanked George for giving their loved ones a chance to remember their childhoods and enjoy a day of peace in nature.This program exposes a new user group to an often overlooked Collier County resource – the Bird Rookery Swamp Trails – which are free public lands and open to the public year round.This innovative program is the only one of its kind in southwest Florida – bringing Alzheimer’s patients into the wild to help awaken memories and calm the mind and spirit. George is modest about his role, but the program never would have begun without his inspiration, dedication, and leadership.”
We are proud of George and very happy to have him on board as a volunteer for CREW. His presence at Bird Rookery Swamp helps all the visitors more fully enjoy their experience there.
See a News-Press article mentioning George’s award here.
Congratulations, George, and thank you for your dedication and passion for CREW and the community!
CREW 10K Adventure Trail Run Was “A Blast!”
On Saturday, November 3, 2012, fifty-nine committed runners and walkers showed up at the crack of dawn, braving the cool morning temperatures to participate in CREW’s inaugural no-frills 10K Adventure Trail Run and 1-Mile Fun Run at the CREW Cypress Dome Trails. Phil Nissen, a regular CREW trail runner and director of the 10K Trail Run, showed runners the map of the course, explained how the course was marked and then sent them on their way.
They ran, walked, splashed through water and mud, saw cows and hogs at Caracara Prairie Preserve, and came across the finish line with mud in their shoes and smiles on their faces. Post run conversation was punctuated by laughter as participants told stories of their own personal adventures out on the trail. Gina Fidler said, “I haven’t had that much fun doing a race in a long time!”.
There were no bibs, no timing tags, no places or prizes – just great trails, lots of nature to appreciate, fresh air, and an enthusiastic crowd willing to have some fun. That said, we did have folks record their times for the 10K just for fun, and here is the list. If your time is missing and you have it, send it to us so we can update the list. Thanks all!
Andrews Lisa ?
Ayer Tammy 1:15:12
Bazinet Nicole 1:15:02
Bocharova Nika 1:15:10
Branstetter Cassie 1:08:22
Brooks Brenda 1:15:07
Browne David 0:48:16 (Second)
Callen Sara 1:31:00
Calvert Daniel 0:54:53
Catron Susan ?
Collins Geiger Sissy 1:02:18
Cominski Michael 0:54:16
Crosse Amy 1:09:30
Davis James 1:01:57
davis jason 1:07:52
DeLisi Daniel 0:59:21
Fidler Fran 1:01:45
Fidler Gina 1:14:12
Frantz Jeremy 1:25:07
Frantz Ali 1:25:16
Gaffney Erin ?
Gallagher Adria 0:54:18
Gallagher Brad 0:54:38
Geiger Keith 0:51:38
Gommermann Luke 0:54:00
Gray Paul 1:04:18
Hanson Keith 1:17:50
Harden Neil 0:54:08
Harvey Klaus 1:13:58
Higgins Rick 1:24:18
Jones Braidy 1:17:56
Kinsella Amy 1:08:22
Layman Laura 1:15:00
Martin James 1:24:26
May Christy 1:18:01
McKnight Jordan 0:46:54 (First)
Morford Beth 1:19:00
Ogle Stephanie 0:55:26
Payne Mary ?
Pfeiffer Nicole 1:02:18
Polgar Marisa 1:12:17
Shamus Chantil 1:14:41
Shelton Gretchen ?
Simard Susie 1:14:55
Smith Kathleen Smith 1:19:00
Solveson Rick 1:15:08
Sowder Amy 1:15:11
Spackman Matt 1:06:00
Stein Sally 1:12:17
Styra Bjoern 0:58:00
Waller Lee 1:24:00
Washuta Amy 0:55:16
Williams Sasha 1:29:10
Many of the runners had never been to or heard of CREW before, so this was a great introduction to the magic that is CREW. Naples Outfitters and Run Florida on McGregor co-sponsored the trail run with the CREW Trust, helping us purchase water and food and providing 25 T-shirts that were given away in a drawing.
Thanks to everyone who participated, to our sponsors, and to our exceptional volunteers who helped prepare the course and keep everyone on track and safe on run day. Let’s do it again!
Caracara Prairie Preserve Trails
In 2007, the CREW Land & Water Trust donated $300,000 (5.6%) toward the $5.3 million dollar purchase of Caracara Prairie Preserve (formerly known as the Starnes property) and became a co-owner with Conservation Collier. The preserve is 367 acres of ranch land adjacent to the CREW Cypress Dome Trails, currently has an active cattle lease, and is being used as a Gopher Tortoise Mitigation Unit.
On April 1st, 2012 CREW interns Alex Knoll and Melanie Perez organized a service learning event at Caracara Prairie in honor of Let’s Get Outdoors (G.O!) month. About 20 people showed up to dig holes and install the 197 trail marker posts used to mark the trails. The same weekend, Nick McNamara, a boy scout from Naples, designed and installed nine “kissing gates” to allow hikers through fences that run through the property. The gates were part of his Eagle Scout project.
CREW Trust staff and volunteers and Conservation Collier staff worked through the rest of the spring to paint, make signs, create maps, and put the finishing touches on the hiking trails.
On National Trails Day®, June 2nd, 2012, the three miles of new hiking trails officially opened to the public. The trails are accessible from the
CREW Cypress Dome Trailhead. You hike the Cypress Dome Trail Yellow Loop and Green Loop to a crossover ditch to reach the “Red Trail” at Caracara Prairie Preserve. The Preserve trails are very different from the CREW trails. Because this property has an active cattle lease, dogs are not allowed on the trails in Caracara Prairie Preserve.
Caracara Prairie Preserve is home to caracaras, gopher tortoises, sandhill cranes, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, swallow-tailed kites, and much more. The active cattle lease provides the additional adventure of seeing cows while hiking. For more information about Caracara Prairie Preserve and Conservation Collier go here.
You can find a map for Caracara Prairie Preserve and the CREW Cypress Dome Trails here.
Related articles
- Today’s Adventure: Caracara prairie Preserve hike for National Trails Day (mymobileadventures.com)
An Amazing Look at CREW Through Animals’ Eyes
This morning at the CREW Marsh Trails, twelve curious adults gathered around FGCU animal behavior professor Charles (billY) Gunnels as he spoke about animal behavior from the perspective of the animals at CREW. billY led a scholarly Strolling Science Seminar that wove together observations, evolution, epigenetics, and the ethics of scientific research. It was fascinating and engaging stuff and gave everyone a reason to think deeper and look differently at the world around us. One participant was overheard saying, “This is the best guided hike I’ve ever been on!” One of our goals for this series is to provide engaging, in-depth, scholarly hikes that feed your mind and get you excited. We hope we hit the mark! Thanks to all who came out and participated. Thanks to billY for doing a fabulous job – as always – of teaching and inspiring us to learn more. Take a look below at some images from the day…
The next CREW Strolling Science Seminar is “The Fantastic World of Insects” with master teacher and NC State Alumni Distinguished Professor, Dr. Clyde Sorenson, on March 2nd. To sign up, go here.