Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
J.N."Ding" Darling NWR Complex
Ft Myers, FL 33957
Phone: 239-472-1100
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NOTE: Wildlife Drive is closed to all public access on fridays.

The Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is located adjacent to interstate 75 on the Caloosahatchee River in Lee County within the city of Ft. Myers, FL.

The refuge is made up of several habitat types: estuarine habitat consisting of open water, sea grass beds, mud flats and mangrove islands, and interior freshwater habitats consisting of: open water ponds, spartina swales, and west Indian hardwood hammocks/ridges. Two brackish water impoundments totaling 800 acres are managed for mosquito control and are used extensively by waterfowl and wading birds.

Two thousand eight hundred and twenty five (2,825) acres of the refuge have been designated as Wilderness Area.

Several threatened and endangered species benefit from the habitats described: eastern indigo snakes, American alligators, American crocodiles, bald eagles, wood storks, peregrine falcons, west Indian manatees, and Atlantic loggerhead turtles.

The refuge has a large diversity of species. Approximately 238 bird species have been identified utilizing refuge habitats, as well as 51 species of reptiles and amphibians and 32 species of mammals.

The public has access to:

Visitor Center.
5-mile auto tour route.
Fresh and salt water fishing.
Hiking trails.
Tram service.
Canoe and kayak rentals.
Guided interpretive programs.
Wildlife observation tower.
Wildlife photography.

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