5 Mile Hike at Estero Bay Preserve State Park

This 5-Mile hike of about 2.5 hours will take us through a mesic flatwood, scrub, and salt flats. We will likely see gopher tortoise, birds of many types, and maybe some fiddler crabs on the flats.

Directions - This beautiful preserve is located in Estero, FL off of US-41 at 4940 Broadway West. Take US-41 to the Estero area and look for the Broadway West road that crosses US-41. Go West on the Broadway West road about 2 miles until you see a FL Power & Light power station on your right and the trail-head parking area will be on your right just after the FPL power station. We will meet near the restrooms

There is a parking fees of $2 per car which requires a smart phone and credit card to pay this parking fee. If you don't have a smart phone to pay this parking fee, you can ask another hiker to use their smart phone to pay this fee for your car using your credit card and car license plate number. You may be able to pay this $2 parking fee at the park website but this method of paying the parking fee is unreliable at times.

There is a restroom at the parking area. Please be sure to check the What to bring information below.

Recommended Attire and Items to Bring:
Wear sturdy closed toe shoes and long pants, and a cool long sleeve shirt. Bring 2L of drinking water, snacks, a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent. You probably want to bring a pair of extra shoes and socks to wear on the drive home as this trail is wet and muddy in places.

Links:
Search the web for Estero Bay Preserve State park for park information.

Difficulty Rating: Easy to Moderate (Wet and muddy in places)

A MEETUP RSVP is required for participation in all Alligator Amblers' activities, and it ensures that there is space available for you.

Florida Trail Association (http://www.floridatrail.org/)
Amblers on Meetup (https://www.meetup.com/Alligator-Amblers/)