NATURE TRAILS

Trails Through Time

Nature Trails

Located near the end of Shell Island Road, the “Trails Through Time” is a series of four trails each approximately ¼ mile long. Botanical signage has been installed along the trails to assist visitors in identifying various native trees. NOTICE: trails are currently overgrown and not suitable for hiking. Please check back for updates.

FOLLOW THE RULES FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE VISIT

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Shell Mound Trail

The Shell Mound Trail starts at the RBNERR field station. The trail follows a mangrove fringing shoreline adjacent to pre-Calusa midden sites, historical sites and an active habitat restoration project in progress. Visitors can learn about native peoples and pioneers who previously lived in the Rookery Bay area, as well as the role of the local community in establishing the Reserve, through self-guided interpretive signs.

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Monument Point Trail

Monument Point Trail begins near the end of the Shell Mound Trail at the Shell Island Road boat ramp and leads visitors to the Children’s Monument on the bank of Henderson Creek. The monument recognizes the efforts of school children involved in helping to raise initial funds for purchasing core lands around Rookery Bay in the 1960’s. This trail is frequently used by visitors to access recreational fishing on the creek.

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Guided Boat Tours

Discover Rookery Bay’s extraordinary wildlife on one of our naturalist guided kayak tours. Two-hour guided kayak tours let you explore backwater bays and mangrove forests and provide opportunities to see wildlife such as wading birds, osprey, fish and dolphins.
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