Naples and proximity to Everglades
 

Ok, i made my question a lot more specific. I'm only going to be in Naples for four nights. I'd like to go to the Everglades to the Arighana trail, shark valley or snake bite trail, but i'd also like to go to the other popular sanctuary which I can't think of the name of right now. (Starts with a c though). Are the first three places I mentioned all in the everglades and if so, are they easy to find? Also, how far are the everglades from Naples? I'll be staying at the Bellasara Hotel I believe downtown. We're planning to rent a car and are going to try not to get stressed out driving the whole vacation! Thanks!

Everglades City is in the north west corner of the everglades and is only about an hour from Naples. There are government run trips into the swamp, plus commercial airboat routes, and interesting very small town, etc., in Everglades City and nearby.

Easy to get to, interesting and educational, reasonably priced, stressfree, etc.

I've never been in an airboat; stuck instead with the government run tours because someone told me the airboats scare the birds and animals, and this theory made sense to me.

Never been to Corkscrew Swamp, which is near to Naples.

Have been, many times, to the Dingwall nature preserve on Sanibel/Captive, just north of Fort Myers and an easy drivbe from Naples. Here you drive your car slowly through a anture preserve, getting out when you see groups of people loooking at things (they spot nature before you get to it) and this is fun, really cheap, enjoyable, and unless alligators start chasing you back to the rental car and you can't find the keys, nice and safe and stressless, too.

BAK

Thanks BAK! This was really helpful. And yes, Corkscrew was the name I couldn't think of.

And Ding Darling in Sanibel/Captiva was the name that slipped BAK's mind.

Don't miss Corkscrew. It's really special.

Shark Valley is a good hour to hour and a half drive from Naples as it is more or less on the Eastern side of the Everglades. But it would be worth the drive to get there, if you want to take the tram or rent bikes to do the loop there.

Stop at the smallest post office in the country at Ochopee, it looks like an outhouse.

I'm not sure where the "snake bite" trail is, but it sounds like a place I'd avoid!

The Anhinga Trail(I assume that's what you mean) is even much further that Shark Valley, down near Homestead.

Yes, don't miss Corkscrew. It is actually part of Big Cypress National Preserve, not part of Everglades National Park.

I think a visit to Everglades City is interesting -- like a step back in time -- but doesn't offer that much in terms of really seeing the Everglades, and we found the boat trip there really lame.

Do report back on Bellasara for us!

I agree that Snake Valley is a better choice for you than the Anhinga Trail. You'll pass the Clyde Butcher Gallery on the way there. Stop in and look at his amazing and enormous black and white photographs of the Everglades and other Florida nature sites. www.clydebutcher.com Check out the website for times and directions.

I am also visiting Naples at the end of the month. I am bringing my mother this time and looking forward to revisiting Corkscrew. I haven't been to Ding Darling yet so that is definitely on the list for this visit. Any must sees there? How about in Naples? Any new and exciting restaurants? I am hoping it is hot, hot, hot. I am ready for some pool time after this long winter.

Thanks for all of the advice! I'll make sure to post my review upon my return!