What to Expect When You Explore the Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers

If you’re looking for outdoor activities in Fort Myers, you’ll want to learn more about the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. This natural wonderland is a staple of Fort Myers that the whole family can enjoy. If you are looking for other things to do besides hitting the beaches of Fort Myers, visiting the Preserve on your next stay in a Fort Myers vacation rental is a great way to get your group out into nature and to learn more about the incredible planet we live on.

What is it?

The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers is a wetland ecosystem with more than 3,500 acres of land for you to discover. You can walk along the Boardwalk trail and visit the Interpretive Center as you look out for wildlife like otters, turtles, wading birds, alligators, and more! The Preserve gets its name from the cypress slough that catches and filters rainwater as it heads to Estero Bay. 

When you visit, you’re welcome to explore the Preserve by yourself or embark on a Guided Walk with a knowledgeable staff member. Visiting with your kids in the summer?

There are week-long specialty camps offered throughout the season that will let your children get up close and personal with the most beautiful Florida nature. 

The Boardwalk at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk, and the Interpretative Center is open every day except Monday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free with your paid parking, which costs $1 per hour or a maximum of $5 for your stay.

Where is it, and how do you get there?

The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is located at 7791 Penzance Boulevard. To reach the Preserve from our Fort Myers vacation rentals, make your way to FL-865/San Carlos Boulevard, then follow it to Pine Ridge Road. Continue to Summerlin Road, then take 6 Mile Cypress Parkway for about 9 miles until you reach Penzance Boulevard and arrive at the Preserve.

Why is it important?

The Slough is not only a cool place to visit, but it also serves a very important purpose. The Six Mile Cypress Slough became a preserve in 1970, and ever since, they have been providing education and low impact recreation to visitors from far and wide. In addition, the Preserve deters flooding and recharges shallow wells, serves as a wildlife habit for tons of animal and plant species, and protects the health of the Gulf of Mexico.

Plants and animals owe a lot to the Slough. The ecosystem houses a diverse selection of flora and fauna, and some of the species that call the Slough home are actually endangered. The Preserve gives them a safe and comfortable place to live, as well as providing a safe route of travel for the creatures of the area. 

At the Interpretive Center, you can learn more about the Preserve’s efforts and speak with a volunteer or staff member to get more information on the plants and animals you can find. What’s more, the Interpretive Center is a certified green building. This certification means the building has minimal negative impacts on the environment and was built using carefully selected materials and construction strategies. The building is also operated with beneficial energy use strategies and maintenance practices.

When you visit Fort Myers, take some time to explore the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. It’s a wonderful way to support a great cause, learn more about the environment, familiarize yourself with endangered plant and animal species, and have a great time outdoors with the ones you love most.
Between all the fun activities you get into on vacation, you want a place to relax and unwind. That’s what our Fort Myers vacation rentals are for! We strive to provide every guest with a comfortable, safe, and affordable place to call home while you’re away. Contact us today to start booking your dream getaway!