Enjoy Gulf Shore beaches and natural spaces teeming with wildlife.
Fort Myers Beach is a barrier island in southwest Florida with seven miles of white-sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico. The warm waters are home to manatee, dolphins, sea turtles, and a variety of tropical fish. Add myriad habitats for sea and wading birds, and day-trip access to the Everglades, and Fort Myers Beach is a wildlife watcher’s paradise for campers. From paddle boarding to kayaking to snorkeling to fishing charters, there are numerous ways to enjoy the water during your next Fort Myers Beach camping trip. The shores in this area are also world-renowned for their shelling, especially at nearby Sanibel Island.
Fort Myers Beach Surrounds
The seven miles of shore on Fort Myers Beach is easy-access and ideal for picnics, laying out, and sunsets. For two miles of natural beaches with no development in sight, head to Lovers Key State Park just south of Fort Myers Beach. RV travelers will find a variety of RV resorts with full hookups, wifi, and additional amenities across the water on the mainland and in Fort Myers.
Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is the next island over from Fort Myers Beach. Hundreds of species of seashells regularly wash up on its shores, making it a beachcomber’s paradise. The island’s J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge protects a large mangrove system and has superb hiking trails and bird watching.
Estero Bay
Situated between Fort Myers Beach and the mainland, the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve has small islands and miles of mangroves to explore by boat (kayak rentals are available throughout the area). The Estero Bay State Park’s mainland section also has mountain biking and hiking trails.
Big Cypress Preserve
Fort Myers Beach is about 1.5 hours from the Big Cypress Preserve. This expansive region of cypress swamp and pinelands is home to alligators, black bear, and the Florida Panther. It can be explored by hiking trails or roadside observation areas. It’s also an International Dark Sky Place with excellent visibility of the stars at night.
Everglades
The Gulf Shore Visitor Center of Everglades National Park is also about 90 minutes from Fort Myers Beach. This is where paddlers can access the park’s remote Ten Thousand Islands section and take a boat ride.
Fort Myers Beach is excellent for fall, winter, and spring camping. Summers are hot and humid, so summer visitors may want to skip the tent and book lodging with a fan or AC. Summer and fall are hurricane season on the Atlantic and Gulf, when it’s important to monitor any approaching storms using the National Hurricane Center’s forecasts.