Fort Myers trails: the 1.2-mile Six Mile Cypress Slough boardwalk, the six-mile John Yarbrough Linear Park, city greenways and Billy Creek's marsh trails.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Sources: the Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Lee County Parks and Recreation’s John Yarbrough Linear Park and Lakes Park pages, and the City of Fort Myers’ park pages for North Colonial Yarbrough Linear Park and Billy Creek Preserve. Lee County Parks and Recreation: 239-533-7275.

Fort Myers is flat, so its trails are about water and shade, not hills: a long boardwalk through a cypress slough, a paved greenway that runs six miles north to south, city bike paths through natural land, and loops around lakes and marshes. Most open at dawn and close at dusk.

At a glance

Trail Length Surface Dogs
Six Mile Cypress Slough boardwalk 1.2 miles Boardwalk No
John Yarbrough Linear Park 6 miles Paved On leash
North Colonial Yarbrough Linear Park Metro Parkway to Ortiz Avenue Bike trail See city rules
Billy Creek Preserve 56-acre marsh Walking and bike trails On leash
Lakes Park Paths around the lake Paths and boardwalk See county rules

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

7751 Penzance Blvd. The preserve is an 11-mile-long wetland, about a third of a mile wide and more than 3,500 acres, that filters rainwater on its way to Estero Bay, according to the Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve.

  • The walk: a 1.2-mile boardwalk with an amphitheater, seating areas, shelters, observation decks, a photo blind and educational displays.
  • Hours: open daily, dawn to dusk.
  • Cost: entry is free; parking is $1 an hour, up to $5 a day.
  • Guided walks: free with paid parking, about 45 minutes, up to 10 people per guide. Registration opens 30 minutes before the walk at the Trail Host Station, not by phone.
  • The Interpretive Center: displays and interactive exhibits on the slough, in what the Friends call Lee County’s first green building.
  • No pets.

The slough changes with the seasons: dry from October to May and wet from June to September. Alligators, turtles, otters and wading birds live there all year.

John Yarbrough Linear Park

Trailhead at 14608 Six Mile Cypress Parkway. Lee County calls it a six-mile paved, multiple-use trail running north to south and well shaded on its southern section. Open dawn to dusk. The trailhead has paved parking, including ADA spaces, and restrooms. Leashed dogs are allowed.

City trails

  • North Colonial Yarbrough Linear Park, West Metro Parkway and Crystal Drive. A bike trail that winds through a natural setting from Metro Parkway to Ortiz Avenue, part of the Lee County Greenway.
  • Billy Creek Preserve and Filter Marsh, 4320 Woodside Ave. A 56-acre marsh built to clean water before it reaches the Caloosahatchee, with bike and walking trails, jogging, bird watching and on-leash pet walking, plus a picnic area.
  • Trailhead Park, 3980 Veronica S. Shoemaker Blvd. Walking paths and a playground with access to the linear park. See our parks and trails guide.

Loops and riverfront walks

  • Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive: walking paths through the park and around the lakes, and a boardwalk over the water. Open 7 a.m. to dusk; parking $1 an hour or $5 a day.
  • Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave.: nature trails on the center’s grounds, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. See kids’ activities.
  • Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St.: a 10-acre city park on the Caloosahatchee in the historic downtown, for a riverfront stroll. See our River District guide.

Before you go

  • Carry water. Of the long trails, the county notes shade only on the southern section of John Yarbrough Linear Park.
  • Leashed dogs are allowed on John Yarbrough Linear Park and at Billy Creek, but not at the slough. Rules: dog-friendly Fort Myers.
  • Bicycle and pedestrian safety on city streets is the subject of the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, which meets at City Hall, 2200 Second St.

Related: parks and trails, getting around Fort Myers and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the boardwalk at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve?

About 1.2 miles, with observation decks, shelters, a photo blind and an amphitheater. The preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk, and entry is free with paid parking of $1 an hour, up to $5 a day.

Can I bring my dog to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve?

No. The Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve say no pets are allowed. Leashed dogs are allowed on John Yarbrough Linear Park and at the city’s Billy Creek Preserve.

How long is John Yarbrough Linear Park?

Lee County describes it as a six-mile paved, multiple-use trail running north to south, open dawn to dusk, with parking and restrooms at the trailhead at 14608 Six Mile Cypress Parkway.

Is there a bike trail in the city of Fort Myers?

Yes. North Colonial Yarbrough Linear Park is a city bike trail through a natural setting from Metro Parkway to Ortiz Avenue, part of the Lee County Greenway.