Very cool hike! Happened upon one of the largest alligators we’ve seen in the wild, sunning on the side of a canal. She patiently let us photograph her before we walked away. We made it about 3/4’s of the trail before the

We rode our bikes here. The trails are well marked and maintained. There are trail maps at the kiosk. There is one porta potty just down the trail. You can access Conservation Collier's Caracara Prairie Preserve from here but you may have to cross a wet ditch to get to it (like now.) CREW is saving a lot of land in SW Florida so please donate to the iron ranger at the entrance to support the work of this non profit.

I hike at least three days a week covering 4-6 miles each visit. I vary my route to keep things interesting. I am never bored because each time there's something new or different to experience. I have seen a variety of wildlife - Whitetail Deer, Bobcat, Wild Turkey, Feral Hogs, and too many bird species to name. I am still waiting to glimpse a Florida Panther and Black Bear. Being the summer season the trails have standing water in a number of places. Bring footwear designed for this type of environment. Also, don't just plunge right in. Alligators abound here and they will lie in wait in these shallow water areas for small prey. Make a commotion - throw a rock or two, grab a stick and thrash it around, Wear long pants, ideally those designed for hiking. Shorts are okay but wear long socks or gaiters. I bear scars from ignoring my own advice. Mosquitos, no-seeums, biting flies, and a myriad of biting and just generally annoying flying insects flourish in the area. DEET works well but you need to reapply ever so often since sweat and walking through standing water seems to dilute it pretty quick. These are not your gussied-up cater to the tourists type of trails. Keep this in mind and prepare accordingly. Bring water even if for only a short stay, a pocket first aid kit, small towel, DEET, and anything else you might take for an outdoor excursion. Take your time, stop occasionally and stand quietly, and keep your head on swivel so you don't miss that bobcat crossing the trail behind you.

We really enjoyed the variety we experienced on these trails. Going down the green trail is a beautiful, open habitat. We went to the caracara section next. It has some beautiful views of tall grass surrounded by palms and much of it is in a shaded walkway. Next was the white trail along the canal. That's where the real action was--lots of large squawking birds (including a caracara), several alligators, and something that was splashing around like crazy in the water. We got as far as post #10. It's more of a kayak trail at that point when we went. Bring mosquito repellent. They got us even on a very windy day.

Visiting CREW today felt like my initiation to SW FL. I am a native Floridian, having lived in Pinellas County (awesome!) my whole life. Right away I recognized the different ecosystem, just being south over Tampa Bay you can see differences in trees, birds, so much. I was fortunate enough to see a Painted Bunting! My new haven

Such a beautiful place to hike. Enjoy the numerous trails it has. My mom and I ventured out and hiked the green trail and the red Caracara trail. In total we hiked about 6 miles. There are some areas still with standing water so you will get wet and muddy. We saw 6 Sand Hill Cranes on the Caracara path. Some areas of shade and some areas in the sun so wear sunscreen. Such a great area to hike and be in nature. Paths are well marked and maintained. The caracara trail does have cows so be aware of the cow patties when walking. Glad Collier County preserved this area and hope they and Lee county continue preserving land and it doesn't all go to development.

Great quiet place, lots of water on the trails so be prepared. I wasn't going to let that stop me though.

Eh... On one hand it's well maintained. On the other, it's not very shady for walking. If you like pine trees and palmettos, it's great but if you're looking for a thick lush environment then this probably isn't the place.

omg where has this been all my life!? i like the option of trails, i saw a very big snake, and i like how you get to see an abundance in animals if you look hard enough and be very, very quiet. its a great place, i have never been a fortnite or apex legend fan, i'm an outdoor person. this place is great for those that are like me.

Different hikes on this trails, they are a few ways to do this . Dog are welcome in a leash except for a section for cows, tall grass, defanaly will life, you can see poop and print wish remains you that you are not alone there.

Great place to camp, and it's free!

I can never get enough of this trail system. The Wild Coffee trail is breathtaking in the dry season, and very swampy during the wet season (about hip deep water in some places). If you're not looking to get wet, stick to the winter time, but if you want to wade through cool water and see all kinds of wildlife, you'd have a hard time finding a better spot!

Great trails! We did the green trail and it was quick, clean, easy to follow and was a great walk.

Good for distance. White Trail has some sections too difficult to get by due to flooding. Coffee Trail looked too dense to traverse. We hiked midday in hunting season without a problem. We'd wished we'r brought our hiking boots for the White Trail. Green trail was easy and clear.

Great hiking trails but some under water. I got turned around a bit and lost my bearings but eventually made it out.

It's a very easy and pretty trail but just monotonous. We went in the winter and didn't see any wildlife. The trails are well-marked and easy to follow. We liked the audio clips at the tower explaining what we were looking at and who the organization is that maintains the trails. I think the trails would be miserable in hot weather since there isn't any shade. It was very pleasant in the winter.

What an awesome trail system!! I had prepared myself for some submerged portions by bringing an entire change of clothes and shoes, but we didn’t need it. (Just the shoes lol) The coffee trail/white trail was submerged with ankle-calf deep water for approximately 200 feet (where it was unavoidable) and a bit longer (where it was avoidable); but if you don’t want to swamp tromp, it’s quite simple to not go on that trail. (We went on it tho! Great adventure!) The other trails are beautiful, they had all been freshly mowed, and save for a few muddy spots (also avoidable) they were totally dry. We got to the trailhead when it was still dark, I had read they open the gates an hour before dawn. We began our hike at 7 am. The mosquitos were INTENSE for the first hour or so, but then the wind picked up and they went on their way. There is a large pavilion kind of in the middle of the trails, and a large SINGLE person portajohn near to the pavilion. Tons of benches scattered throughout the trails, lots of birds plants flowers galore. We had cell service the entire time we were hiking, which was nice to be able to send pics to friends etc. We all brought hiking sticks with us which was helpful for the submerged section but not necessary for the rest of the trails, since they were dry and flat. I love CREW! This was our first time at this particular trail system and it did not disappoint! Loads of fun, great time exploring and immersing ourselves in nature! Cannot wait to come back!

Beautiful place with miles of trails and sights to see

Great place for a hike. The Wild Coffee Trail was spectacular. Gators and lots of birds. Some sections of trail were a little wet - so be prepared.

Great nature trails.

Today was my first time swamp-biking the trails, and as long as you've got a extra pair of socks/shoes and some bug spray, it's a blast.

Great hiking. Saw pileated woodpeckers, wood storks, egrets and more. A few trails had standing water but plenty of options for drier walking

Love it here, bring lots of water to stay hydrated.

Many fun trails good for kids

So beautiful and so much fun

Nice primitive trails. Well kept

Good

Incredible source of seeing all types of wildlife from gaters, birds of all types, butterfly and other flying insects, and folage!! Many trails are bike accessible, and the trails are well maintained. Also the trails are clearly marked and also providing information on all aspects of the area.

Great place for a hike!

Dry in January. Wide mowed trail. Shaded. Not suitable for strollers. Dogs allowed on leash. Panther habitat. Open Sunrise to Sunset. Bring walking stick and water.

Very nice nature trails .first time here. Will go back.. Marked very well

Went with my kids school. Very informative and was just a great day.

Perfect for 4 wheeling

Beautiful nature preserve with many trails. Lots of wildlife and plants to see! Good place to learn about Florida's ecosystems. You can also see the prescribed burn sites which you don't get to see anywhere else as often. Overall, this preserve is very healthy and functional with a lot to see.

Nice easy hike. Very pastoral. Many birds and wildlife could be spoted. But, Watch for crocodiles near or on the trail.

Well marked easy hikes. Perfect for kids or dogs too.

The prairie looks great after the prescribed burn and recovery. Wild coffee trails still impassable without rubber boots or waders.

Good place to walk a lot.bring boots for the flood areas.

Absolute beautiful place for a walk or hike if you'd like!

Me and my family love going to this Trail. It's nicely marked so you can't get lost. Lot of fun sites to see along the way. Just be careful that when you go you checked the forecast.

Awesome trails if you like nature, kept very preserve, so don't expect board walks, but that's the beauty of it, it's also a hunting ground so wear bright colors

Great hike...saw the biggest gator I have ever seen

Beautiful! Simple! Nature!

Great for enjoying nature.

White trail had water one must wade thru near marker #10 on map even in January, the dry season.

One of my favorite haunts

Love them trails!

Absolutely stunning!

Very interesting and open to the public.

One of my favorite trail locations. Very much worth the 40 min drive. There are multiple trails of varying lengths. Pretty well marked with colored blazes. Some spots can become muddy/moist depending upon the time of the year.

Great people and food

(Translated by Google) Nice, easy, good to walk. Countryside bit monotonous. Do not forget water and sun hat. (Original) Nett, einfach, gut zu laufen.Landschaftlich bisschen eintönig. Wasser und Sonnenhut nicht vergessen.