Mountain Bike Trails - Fort Myers, FL
Mountain biking in Fort Myers, Florida may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of this beachside city, but it offers an exciting and unique experience for those who love the outdoors. There are several trails located throughout the area, including the Caloosahatchee Regional Park, which offers over 10 miles of trails through beautiful wooded areas and wetlands. Riders can expect to encounter a variety of terrains, from flat and easy to rocky and challenging, making it an ideal destination for mountain bikers of all skill levels. Here are some of our favorites.
Caloosahatchee Regional Park
Alva, Florida | Intermediate | 11 mi
The Caloosahatchee Regional Park mountain bike trail is strictly single-track and provides adventure and challenges for beginners and novice mountain bikers alike. The trail is composed of fast, flat, open areas that are intermixed with areas that cut through the natural canopy of Florida, providing a very scenic and tight ride feeling.
There are plenty of switchbacks, rock/root infested areas, mud pits, sugar sand ascents/descents and topographic relief. The trail has several optional areas that a mountain biker can ride or bypass. A feature that makes this trail awesome is the entrance and exit flips the first of each month, allowing for two unique adventures in one area.
The Caloosahatchee Regional Park mountain bike trail is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Restrooms (permanent and port-o-lets), bicycle washing stations, hot water, camp grounds and detailed trail maps are provided. A nominal fee of $1.00 per hour or $5.00 per vehicle per day is mandatory.
The trail is maintained on a monthly basis by the Florida Mud Cutters www.mudcutters.org.
Lover's Key State Park
Ft Myers, Florida | Easiest | 2.0 mi
Enjoy over 5 miles of bike trails including the Black Island Trail through a maritime hammock. The winding trails transition from hard packed sand, to grassy trails, and challenging sugar sand. The hills are an exciting start to this great trail. Several shortcuts are available to create new routes so you never have to experience the same ride. Short cut number 2 leads to a freshwater pond where the resident gator lives on the island with her family. The black island trail also follows the 2.5 mile estuary and has several overlooks with comfortable benches for wildlife viewing.
Hikers and bikers are often able to see manatees playing in the estuary and dolphins jumping as they come to fish. Tarpons rolling in the brackish water makes Black Island a great place to fish. Continue on the service road toward north beach looking for a small sign on the right that says nature trail. This is the Eagle trail on Black Island. It is an exciting twisting turning trail that cuts through the estuary between the trails of the Black Island. Bring your own bike or you can rent one from the gift shop in parking lot 1.
Tuckers Grade Out Tram Grade Back
South Punta Gorda, Florida| Beginner | 29.0 mi
This is a great place to go for a long off-road spin when other local trails are flooded and under water. The Babcock/Webb Management Area consists of built-up and elevated dirt tram roads traversing a wide variety of Florida lands including upland pine flatwoods, swamps, and even includes a few water crossings. Expect to see wildlife on this ride from grazing cattle to gators. Parking fee is required. $3.00 per person.
Pay as you enter the park. Hours are from 1 1/2 hrs. before sunrise until 1 1/2 hrs. after sunset.
Yucca Pens Unit State Wildlife Management Area
South Punta Gorda/North Ft Myers, Florida | Beginner | 21.0 mi
The trail head is Florida Fish and Game $3 to park but east of this just past the landfill there is a power line on the south side which has parking. It shows up as Seminole Grade. It's primarily gravel and some will ride their cx bikes but I can't recommend that. There are stretches of very rocky trail. The area is primitive, nothing is marked. Primitive restrooms at the trail head.
Estero Bay Preserve State Park
Estero, Florida | Beginner | 8.0 mi
The Estero River Scrub access is located off the westernmost point of Broadway West and has four separate trails, which entice visitors to ride through the numerous ecosystems that make up the preserve. Areas of mesic flatwoods, scrub and salt flats are home to gopher tortoises, snakes, lizards and a myriad of bird species. The majority of the trails are short cut grass but there is also gravel and some sections of sand. We recommend 1.5" tires and wider. Some of the trails get flooded over in the rainy season. Easy access only a mile from Rt. 41 in Estero.
A pavilion and restrooms are located at this trailhead, and numerous benches throughout the preserve allow visitors to stop and rest.