Very nice walk with lots of wildlife, mostly water birds. Trail is level and easy to walk. There…read moreis an observation tower to provide a wider view. I took lots of photos of water birds.

Nice place to come visit and come for a walk to take a look at the lakes and ponds. I came here…read morefor fishing but left disappointed. Would not recommend anyone here for fishing

Enjoyable hike around the swamplands. Interesting sign about the vultures stealing the rubber…read moreseals on cars.

Wow, what a hike. Only need to go in about 1 mile to start to see wildlife…read more We made it 4 miles that day. Hope to build up miles as we get in better shape. It was hot. Some shady spots but no water or restrooms on site. We were fortunate to see lots of birds,gators and turtles. Great experience. FYI. Gators are on trails.

Pine Lake Preserve is a 174-acre preserve is located in South Lee County within the city limits of…read moreBonita Springs. This area is natural oasis is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. A pedestrian gate is available on Kent Road and you can park in the YMCA parking lot on Kent Road. A second pedestrian gate is located in the southwestern portion of the preserve near the Bonita Nature Place. The first parcel of the preserve was acquired on November 22, 2000. In the preserve is an easy 1.3-mile loop trail that takes about 22 minutes to complete. This trail is great for birding, fishing, and hiking. The trail is over mostly sand and grass surfaces in an exposed prairie area. The Bonita Nature Place connects to this trail for additional hiking. For those looking for a longer adventure, the Pine Lake Preserve Perimeter Loop offers a 2.4-mile trail along the fire lines that takes about 41 minutes to finish. These trails allow visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the preserve and experience its diverse ecosystems up close. Whether you're seeking a leisurely stroll or a more challenging hike, Pine Lake Preserve has something to offer for everyone. Pine Lake Preserve includes man made lakes surrounded by natural plant communities of mixed cypress pine, pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, and floodplain swamps which provides a diverse habitat for these creatures, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and nature photographers. The lakes provide important habitat for a number of wading birds such as herons, egrets, sandpipers, and Black-necked stilts. Alligators and otters have also been observed at the lakes. .Lee County's Pine Lake Preserve is not only a place of natural beauty but also a testament to the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship. An extensive invasive exotic plant removal project was performed to remove a dense coverage of melaleuca trees. Exotic plant control continues and a hydrological restoration project was completed in 2021 which reconnected the water from the Imperial River to the watershed to the east the way it was before development in the area. This project allowed water to flow south over Pine Lake Preserve into two shallow ponds that flow into the upper Imperial River. New native plants were also added to the area. In 2023 an 8-acre wildfire occurred in the southwestern portion of the preserve. Plant and animal communities are continuing to recover. Before planning your trip, note that portions of the trail can become flooded during rain. Additionally, be sure to bring appropriate footwear, sunscreen, and insect repellent to fully enjoy your time in the preserve.

This Preserve is a very difficult walk, staff has run over the trails with a disc harrow so the…read moretrails have 6 inches of soft sand at the surface.

We visited on Thursday and enjoyed the beach. There is a paid parking lot onsite and several access…read morepoints to the beach. We entered the beach to the right of the pavilion/concession stand. This area of the beach was more crowded. We continued on to the right and set up in front of the condos that are currently under construction. There was some construction noise, but the area was less crowded. The closest people to the left of us was about 50' and the closest people to the right of us was probably 500'. The beach is a soft white fluffy sand. The only food choice nearby is the concession stand at the pavilion.

This beach is clean and has great amenities. The bathrooms are clean, great park for kids and food,…read morealthough a bit pricey, was fresh and good. Highly recommend!!! Just be prepared to get there by 10am or go after 2pm since parking lot is not large.

Love their Sunday concerts in the park. Bring your wine and your chairs and enjoy a beautiful night…read moreunder the stars. They're only there once a month and I plan on being there each month.

Riverside Park in Bonita Springs combines natural beauty with recreational offerings. This…read morepicturesque park has a serene ambiance and well-maintained facilities for visitors of all ages. The park's lush greenery creates a tranquil setting that invites visitors to unwind and connect with nature. Riverside Park's well-manicured walking paths provide a peaceful escape for leisurely strolls, jogging, or simply enjoying the scenic surroundings. The abundance of shade from mature trees adds to the overall comfort, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing afternoon. The pavilion, with its scenic backdrop, is an ideal spot for gatherings, events like Celebrate Bonita, Star Spangled Bonita, Taste of Bonita, Movies in the Park and many other events. It is also a perfect destination for a quiet picnic with friends. The park has unique public art and a Veterans Memorial. During the holidays the park is decorated making it the ideal backdrop for family photos. Riverside Park in Bonita Springs is a great resource for those seeking a blend of nature, recreation, and community. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat, a family-friendly outing, or an opportunity to engage in activities, Riverside Park is a must-visit in Southwest Florida. It's a testament to the city's commitment to providing residents and visitors with a haven of natural beauty and relaxation.

a charming, historic attraction that originally opened in the 1930s. Set on about 3 to 3.5 acres of…read morelush, mature landscaping, the Wonder Gardens is home to a variety of rescued, rehabilitating, and non-releasable animals. We took our time wandering the pathways, admiring the beautiful habitats thoughtfully designed for each species. There's a strong focus on birds, and the variety here is impressive -- vibrant parrots, graceful flamingos, and so many unique feathered residents. Just as we made it to the final exhibit with the crocodiles, an announcement came over the speakers warning of lightning in the area. Guests were directed back to the gift shop for safety, and the staff began offering rain checks or refunds depending on when you arrived. We didn't inquire about either, though -- we had already thoroughly enjoyed our time there, and since the Wonder Gardens is a nonprofit organization, we were happy to support them regardless. Before leaving, we browsed the gift shop, which had a fantastic selection of animal-themed souvenirs, cute décor, and even artwork created by the resident animals -- such a unique touch. If you're in the area, Wonder Gardens is absolutely worth a stop. It's charming, educational, and your admission supports ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts. If you're interested in getting even closer to the animals, they also offer scheduled animal encounters, so be sure to check ahead for times.

We found this place while searching Yelp and enjoyed our visit there. Easy to navigate your way…read morearound and lots to see. My kids enjoyed seeing all the different animals! My only gripe was- they were cleaning the turtles and it would have been a really cool learning experience for the kids if they advertised those things/invited kids and families to come watch. They could have really turned it into a really cool educational moment by answering questions or talking about what they were doing while they were doing it. Even having a few seats people could sit in while they did it... this could apply to any of their daily things they do there to help the animals. Keep up the good work and help inspire the next generation!

Very well shaded park with a variety of playgrounds for ages 2 and up!…read more Has a covered picnic area with small splash pad, numerous slings for children of all mobility levels.l, Bathroom with changing pad, and artificial turf so you won't have to worry about getting super dirty. While we were only on the playground, it looks like there are soccer fields, baseball fields, tennis courts and basketball courts available too!

Such a clean, new park. This playground has everything and it's baseball themed. Could use more…read moreshade but this is a solid playground choice

I was looking for a place to hike in the area but this was not the right spot. I should have looked…read moreat the size, it's not even a full four acres. This is one of a series what are called node parks in Bonita Springs. Lee County purchased this land for $400,000 on November 17, 2009. Oak Creek, from which the preserve takes it's name meanders through this small area. It was once a major tributary for the Imperial River and many pioneer families settled along its banks. Today Oak Creek is important because it is tributary to Estero Bay. This preserve is so tiny that it feels like you are standing in the backyard of one of the surrounding houses. There is no parking lot so you can just pull off to the side. There are sabal pine and oak trees here but it looks like someone is cutting down a lot of the trees. I am not sure what is going on here. Although not very good for hiking you could bird watch or take pictures. The bottom line is that there are many other great nature places to explore in this area. Unfortunately they are all currently closed sending me on a hunt for the more off the beaten path area. It is nice that Bonita Springs is preserving natural areas for wildlife but there is no reason for anyone to make a special trip here.