Go RVing Around the Collier-Seminole State Park
Are you ready for a vacation filled with beauty and excitement? Then Collier-Seminole State Park should be at the top of your list for your next RV road trip.
Choosing a destination when you go RVing can seem daunting, but you’re guaranteed a once-in-a-lifetime experience when you visit Collier-Seminole State Park. The scenery, vegetation, wildlife, activities, and amenities make for an unforgettable RV vacation, whether you’re enjoying the nature preserve with your family and friends or spending some special time with a special someone.
Let’s learn more about Collier-Seminole!
The location
Located in the Everglades wetlands not far from Naples on the Gulf Coast, part of this South Florida park is set in one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world. You’ll feel like you’re traveling back in time as you immerse yourself in 7,271-acres of preserved Floridian wetland wilderness.
The native plants and wildlife have been protected thanks to the nature preserve’s history. In 1920, Barron Collier, a successful advertising entrepreneur and real-estate developer, bought the swampland to preserve the rare royal palms that lived in the swamp with the other wildlife.
Collier later donated the land to the county, so RV campers like you can benefit from Collier’s gift and explore the exciting flora, fauna, and other natural features the area offers.
Immerse yourself in unforgettable wildlife
Collier-Seminole State Park gives you close access to tropical plants and wildlife that’s hard to find anywhere else. Here is what you want to keep your eyes open for:
Royal Palms
Collier’s prized native Royal Palms are still the star of this nature preserve and live on the far north side. The stately trees are accessible by foot via the Royal Palm Hammock trail, which takes hikers 0.9 miles around the hammock on an elevated, wheelchair accessible boardwalk. Along the way, you’ll encounter 35 species of trees, wild coffee, Christmas berry, and firecracker bush.
Wildlife
Don’t forget your camera and a pair of binoculars for the bird lover in your life. This nature preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and offers over 150 different species of birds to spot.
The elusive Florida panther and bear are also known to roam near the Royal Palm Hammock and the Strand Swamp Trail, but don’t worry. They try to avoid humans whenever possible, but this could be one of the few opportunities you have to see them from a safe distance.
The preserve’s waters are home to American alligators and playful manatees, but consider yourself lucky if you get the chance to spot them! Be sure to follow the park’s precautions and recommendations.
Park experiences
This RVing destination offers fabulous experiences to immerse yourself in and enjoy. There’s something for everyone!
Boating and Canoeing
Add boating to the itinerary of your RVing trip. The boat basin offers ramp access to the Blackwater River, a tidal river that flows to the Gulf of Mexico. Officials recommend that you do not launch any watercraft larger than 24 feet.
The Blackwater River is excellent for canoeing and kayaking: take a trip through a mangrove forest and the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The gorgeous experience comes with a gentle ride that’s smooth enough for inexperienced paddlers. For more experienced paddlers, the 13.5-mile canoeing and kayaking trail is a great match.
To check the tide schedule and get more information, email or call the park. You can bring your own equipment or rent some from the nature tour’s office.
Canoes and kayaks cost $50 for four hours and $80 for six. You can also reserve an overnight canoe or kayak for $100.
Geo-Seeking
Try your luck with some environmentally friendly treasure-hunting. Using GPS technology, participants hunt down coordinates to find hidden treasures left by other players. The park has ten geocaches, with three multi-stage caches, including the oldest geocache in Florida (the Christmas Cache).
Geocaching is a fun way to explore new places, so when take your RV rental and cruise America, why not include geocaching on your trip? Learn more about geocaching here.
Biking
Take your bike for an off-road spin down the Prairie Hammock Trail. Registration is required for biking this trail. The ranger’s office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the winter, and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the summer. Remember, helmets are recommended for everyone, and the state law requires helmets for cyclists under the age of 16.
Fishing
The Blackwater River is a prime location for both salt and fresh water fishing. All fishing must comply with regulations on size, number, capture method, and season. A fishing license may be required. For more information, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Where to camp
You can set up your RV rental at the site’s campground, located on Tamiami Trail East in Naples. While this is not a site for boondocking, it will give you a comfortable place to relax as you take in the preserve’s exciting opportunities. Now is the time to arrive in style aboard a luxury RV rental!
At the park’s campground, each of the 104 sites offers electricity, water, a grill, and a picnic table. The campground also provides restrooms with hot showers, laundry facilities, and a centralized dump station for RV campers.
Whether this is your first RV trip or your hundredth, these accommodations will let you worry less about the technical details with your RV rental, so you can spend more time enjoying your vacation under the Royal Palms and Gumbo-Limbo trees.
That being said, you should always be prepared since even the best RV accommodations may have temporary problems with the amenities you expect. Bring camping accessories you’re comfortable with to avoid some small issue putting a dent in your vacation plans.
7 Tips for RV Camping at Collier-Seminole State Park
- Reserve your RV rental near your road trip’s starting point through RVnGo, which allows you to pick up an RV from almost anywhere in the United States.
- The park limits RV length to 50 feet and smaller. RV camping is limited to the campground at 202000 Tamiami Trail East, and you must reserve a spot in advance.
- You can reserve a campsite up to 11 months in advance on the reservation website. This location is popular, so make your reservation as soon as possible.
- The park gates close at sunset, so contact the park before 5:00 p.m. on the day of your arrival.
- Check-in time is at 3:00 p.m., and check-out time is 1:00 p.m.
- The park has quiet hours from 11:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m., and all campers must be quiet during those hours.
- You can bring a dog to some areas of the park, just make sure you keep them on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
How to Get to the Park
Here is how you can get to the location by RVing from Florida’s other popular destination sites. Don’t worry, it’s only a short road trip away!
From Fort Myers:
Take I-75 S 60 miles south, approximately one-hour driving time with no tolls.
From Miami:
Take US-41 102 miles east, approximately two-hour driving time with tolls.
From Tampa:
Take I-75 179 miles south, approximately two-and-a-half hours driving time with tolls.
From Orlando:
Take I-75 217 miles south, approximately four hours driving time with tolls.
REMEMBER These Four Tips for an Unforgettable Adventure:
- Reserve your RV rental.
- Reserve your camping spot.
- Pack your camping gear.
- Go RVing!
A trip to Collier-Seminole State Park will scratch your itch for an exciting RV road trip to a gorgeous destination. When you go RVing to Collier-Seminole State Park, you’ll have comfortable, intimate access to all the nature preserve offers from the comfort of your RV.
P.S.
Planning an RVing trip can seem overwhelming, especially when you’re visiting a place you’ve never been before. When you reserve your RV rental through RVnGO, you can set your worries aside and start having fun! And when you’re cruising America, freedom and adventure will reward your efforts, and those are the feelings you’ll remember the most.
