Park Summary for Print - Collier-Seminole State Park

Historic Blockhouse in Royal Palm Hammock at Collier-Seminole State Park.

Welcome to Collier-Seminole State Park

This park features a wealth of vegetation and wildlife typical of the Everglades, plus a forest made up of tropical trees. Although rare elsewhere, the Florida royal palm is a common tree here. The park is also the site of a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark which was dedicated by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1994, the Bay City Walking Dredge. Built in 1924, it was used to build the Tamiami Trail highway (U.S. 41) through the Everglades, linking Tampa to Miami. Hiking, bicycling, and canoeing trails offer opportunities for visitors to explore the park´s remarkable wilderness. The park has canoe rentals along with a boat ramp that provides access to the Blackwater River, where anglers can enjoy both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Campers can spend the night in a full-facility campground; youth/group and primitive campsites are also available. The picnic areas have pavilions and grills for use on a first-come-first-served basis. Located on U.S. 41, 17 miles south of Naples.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Collier-Seminole State Park, please call 239-394-3397.

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Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

Going south from Tampa on I-75, take Exit 101 (SR 951 & SR 84) and turn right. Follow 951 to US 41. Turn left on US 41 and the Collier-Seminole State Park will be 8 miles on the right just past CR 92. Going west from Fort Lauderdale, take Exit 80 (SR 29), go south to 41 and turn right. Follow 41 for about 15 miles, and the Collier-Seminole State Park will be on your left.

Park Fees

Admission Fees $4.00 for up to 8 people per car. Single Occupant Vehicle Entrance - $3.00

Boat Ramp - $3.00 plus tax.

Camping Fee
All Year: $18.00 plus tax

Canoe Rentals
$5.30 per hour
All day $26.50

Activities at Collier-Seminole State Park

	Bicycling Off road biking on Historic Marco Road along a 3.5 mile course along marsh, hammock and pine flatwood.
	Boat Ramp The boat ramp will accommodate small to medium vessels during low tide and most boats during high tide. Please call for conditions.
	Campfire Circle The campfire circle provides an opportunity for campers and the park visitors to view a slide program by park personnel about local interests. The topics vary from black bear, native american history, the building of the Tamiami Dredge to the mangrove forests. The slide programs last from 30 to 45 minutes with a chance for questions at the end.
	Canoeing & Kayaking There is a 13.6-mile canoe trail that flows down the twisting Black Water River through a mangrove forest.
	Facilities Restroom facilities are available in the park. The facilities in building 4 are ADA accessible.
	Fishing Fishing is available. A freshwater or saltwater license may be required. Check local regulations. Do you need a Fishing License?
	Full Facility Camping Camping is available at Collier-Seminole State Park year round. Reservations may be made up to eleven months in advance. Full payment for entire length of stay will be required (credit card only must be canceled within 24 hours of check-in time for refund). For more information on camping in our park simply click on the Reserve America link. Clicking on the park map or selecting one of the camping area links just below the park map will allow you to see a map of the individual campsite locations. Select any campsite icon to see a detailed description of the individual campsite and what it has to offer.
	Guided Tours Guided tours are available along the nature trail and boardwalk. Please call the park for more details.
	Interpretive Exhibit: Interpretive exhibits are available
	Nature Trails A 6.5-mile hiking trail winds through pine flatwoods and cypress swamp, allowing visitors to observe the great variety of vegetation and wildlife found at the park. A .9 mile self-guided nature trail featuring a boardwalk system and observation platform overlooking the salt marsh is also available. Additional exhibits of plants and wildlife may be seen in the park's Interpretive Center. The .9 Mile Nature Trail is ADA accessible, except for the observation platform
	Pavilion There are four pavilion picnic shelters available at the park. 2 picnic pavilions are ADA accessible.
	Pet Camping Pet camping is available at Collier Seminole State Park. Pets must be confined, leashed (not to exceed six feet in length) or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Tethered pets must not be left unattended for more than 30 minutes. Quiet hours must be observed from 11:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Florida law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Any pet that is noisy, dangerous, intimidating or destructive will not be allowed to remain in the park. Non-furbearing pets, such as reptiles, birds, or fish must be confined or under the physical control of the owner. Some animals may be prohibited on park property. Failure to abide by these rules may result in the camper being asked to board the pet outside the park or to leave the campground.
	Pets Pets are welcome at Collier Seminole State Park if they are kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash and are well behaved and maintained at all times.
	Picnicking Picnic area is available with tables and grills. Pavilions are available but limited on a first come first serve basis. 2 of the picnic pavilions are ADA accessible.
	Playground Playgrounds are located in the camping and picnic areas. The playground in the picnic area/boat basin has a slide, swings, and climbing equipment. The playground in the campground has swings.
	Primitive Camping Primitive camping is available along our canoe and hiking trails. Campers can experience true camping with no amenities. Space is limited. Check at ranger station for availability.
	RV's The park has two camping areas. One area contains 19 sites located in a wooded area and is popular for tents, vans, and popups. The other consists of 101 sites in an area more suited for RV's and also includes tent sites. All sites have electricity and all sites have a picnic table and a grill. Three bathhouses are located in the campground and are equipped with hot and cold showers. One bathhouse has a washer and dryer and another has an activity room with tables, chairs, brochure rack, and other reading material. The park has a youth camping area, a primitive camping area that is accessible from the park's hiking trail, and another primitive camping area accessible by canoe. The youth camp area can be reserved and the primitive camps are first come first serve.
	Showers Showers are located in the campground and available for campers.
	Visitor Center A self-guided tour through the nature center has many exhibits of the plants and wildlife that can be seen here. The visitors center is ADA accessible.
	Wildlife Viewing There are several opportunities to view wildlife through nature trails, bike trails and canoe trails. Common sightings are alligator, raccoons, osprey, white ibis, and other wading birds.
	Youth Camping Youth camping is available for youth groups i.e. Scouts, church, and schools. Youth camp area is primitive and will require some walking with food and water to get to the site. No showers and only privies are available.

Special Events for Collier-Seminole State Park

JAMMIN IN THE HAMMOCK
Date: Saturday February 14th, 2009 - All day starting at 10:00 am. Sunday February 15th, 2009 - All day starting at 9:30 am.
Description: 2nd Annual Bluegrass Festival at Collier-Seminole State Park!
Featuring Music by: Carolina Road, The Doerfels, The Fleas, Bluegrass Stagecoach Band, Swinging Bridge and Angelica Grim & High Action. MC: Mike Robinson.

Free parking. Covered concert area - Festival held rain or shine. Bring chairs. Featuring Arts/Crafts and Food Vendors. No pets, alcohol, smoking or coolers in festival area.
Hosted by: Friends of Collier-Seminole State Park. 100% of net proceeds benefit the park Camping: Reserve America: 1-800-326-3521. Limited Dry Camping (1st come basis)

Note: The Boat Basin - Boat Ramp - Picnic area will be CLOSED the two days of the Festival. The Festival is being held in that area and vehicle traffic in and out of the area will not be allowed.

Fees: SATURDAY only entry fee $15.00/Person. SUNDAY only entry fee $15.00/PersonBuy a 2-day pass for only $25.00. Children 13 and under free (with adult)
Contact: For more information call 239-394-3397

Collier-Seminole State Park Ranger Programs

CAMPGROUND PROGRAMS
Saturdays, Dec. - Easter weekend (Mid-April) 2006< Fees: Park admission or registered camper. Programs start after the front gate has closed, so if you are not a registered camper, please arrive at the park before closing time at sundown. Subjects cover a wide variety, and will be about bird migrations, sable palms, bears, panthers, Seminole Indians, the construction of the Tamiami Trail, Fire, Estuaries, snakes, local history, and much more! Please call the park for the program offered on the week you are interested. Programs will last approximately 30-60 minutes depending on the subject.
Call (239) 394-3397 for more details.
NATURE TRAIL GUIDED WALKS
Saturdays 10:00 AM, December to Easter weekend. Ranger guided walk through Royal Palm Hammock, a unique tropical hardwood forest with native plants and trees that are more common to the Yucatan or Caribbean than northern Florida. The Royal Palm, Satin Leaf, Gumbo Limbo, Pond Apple, or White Mangrove are all native trees that you will see. Programs will last approximately 60 minutes. Activity includes walking, so wear appropriate shoes and clothing.
Call (239) 394-3397 for more details.
RANGER'S CHOICE PROGRAM
Sundays, Dec. - March 9 AM Registration is required. This ranger led activity varies from week to week. Topics of interest may include; birding, fishing, castnetting, paddling, hiking, and other nature related interest. Please call ahead for information.
Call (239) 394-3397 for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions about Collier-Seminole State Park

Question: Where does Collier-Seminole State Park gets it name?
Answer: The Park is named in part for Barron Collier, a wealthy advertising entrepeneur and the Seminole Indians who made the area their home.

Collier-Seminole State Park History

Collier-Seminole State Park takes its name from two people who made their mark upon this land, forever changing it. Barron Collier was a wealthy entrepreneur who financed the building of the Tamiami Trail and purchased the land for this park, and the Seminole and Miccosukee Indians who have resided in this area the last couple centuries. Because of the Tamiami Trail, the two are forever intertwined in the history of this area.

Collier-Seminole State Park covers what is historically known as Royal Palm Hammock. Here is one of three original native stands of Royal Palms in the state of Florida, resembling the coastal forests of the West Indies and Yucatan. The park also extends down to the Ten Thousand Islands and includes mangrove river estuaries and salt marsh preserves that are favorite habitats for wading birds.

The Seminole and Miccosukee Indians settled in this area by the early 1800s and have remained here ever since. In 1841 and 1857 during the Seminole Wars, efforts by the Army to drive them out failed, making the Seminoles and Miccosukee people in Florida known as the "Unconquered." The visitor center in the park is patterned after a blockhouse from the Seminole War era.

In the early 20th century, effort was made to build a roadway across the vast expanse of Big Cypress and the Everglades. This effort was begun, but was ended because of World War One when funding was needed elsewhere. In the 1920's the state of Florida asked Barron Collier, a wealthy advertising entrepreneur and pioneer developer, to help fund and complete building of the Tamiami Trail. It was a monumental engineering feat to build the roadbed between Naples and Miami, but was finally completed in 1928.

Inside the park is the Bay City Walking Dredge, used to construct the roadway that now passes by the front entrance of the park. In 1994 this now-silent machine was designated as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. Bay City Walking Dredge

The Tamiami Trail that Collier built had a permanent effect on the Native American Indians in the area. The highway exposed the formerly isolated Seminole and Miccosukees to American culture and economic activity. There are many villages along the trail, and even one within the confines of the park, where the people maintain their balance between modern society and traditional ways.

After building the Tamiami Trail, Barron Collier envisioned developing the Lincoln-Lee national park, but failed to get support for his idea. The land became a county park instead, and by 1947 it was turned over to the state of Florida for management as a state park. Named in part for Collier and for the Seminole Indians who had made this area their home, Collier-Seminole State Park now stands as a monument to the natural environment and historical people that have shaped the landscape.

Collier-Seminole State Park Volunteer Information

Volunteers can do many things -- greet visitors, conduct tours, help rangers remove exotic plants or maintain the natural beauty of a beach, waterway or trail.

Download the Volunteer News Letter for more information - News Letter

Visit the Main Volunteer page for information on volunteering in Florida State Parks

Visit the Main Volunteer page at http://www.floridastateparks.org/volunteers/default.cfm for more detailed Information

Collier-Seminole State Park

20200 E. Tamiami Trail
Naples, Florida 34114
Phone: 239-394-3397
Fax: 239-394-5113

Citizen Support Organization

Friends of Collier-Seminole State Park, Inc.
CSO News Letter
20200 East Tamiami Trail, Naples, FL, 34114
For more information, please call (239) 394-3397.