J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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Black Skimmer birds over the water at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Black Skimmer birds fly over the water at the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida (courtesy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
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J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Parks and Outdoors Travel Tips

By Mike Sigalas
  • Wildlife Drive is the quickest and easiest way to see the heart of the refuge. Most, however, get a lot more out it of by taking the narrated tour offered by Tarpon Bay Adventurers. These tram rides make a good first stop before heading off on one of the refuge's hiking or paddling trails.
  • Tarpon Bay Adventurers is the refuge's official concessionaire, and the place to find canoe and kayaking tours and rentals, bike rentals, and fishing charters.
  • Each October during National Wildlife Refuge Week, the JNDDNWR celebrates "Ding" Darling Days, featuring a variety of programs, classes, tours, and other activities—many of them free. The Refuge Birding Tour Caravan is one of the big draws, and it's repeated throughout the week.
  • In the refuge's mangrove forests and tidal flats, you're likely to see American Swallow-tail Kite, Blue Herons, Brown Pelicans, Mottled Duck, Osprey, Roseate Spoonbills, White Ibis, and Wood Stork on a given visit. Over the course of a year, birders can spot more than 300 different bird species here, many of them migratory birds who use the refuge as a rest area.
  • The largest bird in the refuge? That would be Puddles the Blue Goose, JNDDNWR's own mascot. On big event days, you'll find him—or perhaps it's a staff member in costume—waddling about, pressing the gooseflesh.

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Hotels

from: $149

The Seaside Inn

541 East Gulf Drive
Sanibel, FL 33957 Map

Distance: 7.9 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
from: $160

Tween Waters Inn

15951 Captiva Rd.
Captiva Island, FL 33924 Map

Distance: 3.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
4.0

Periwinkle Park and Campground

1119 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel Island, FL Map

Distance: 7.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
All J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Hotels »
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Attractions

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

expert favorite attraction
375 Sanctuary Road West
Naples , Florida 34102

Distance: 31.5 mi. (from destination center)

Description: The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary features a 2.25-mile raised boardwalk, which takes visitors through... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
3_0

Island Cow

expert favorite attraction
2163 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel Island, Florida 33957

Distance: 5.5 mi. (from destination center)

Description: A casual, lively eatery near the NWR, the Island Cow is dear to the hearts of faithful Sanibel vacationers.... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0

Sanibel Historical Village and Museum

950 Dunlop Rd.
Sanibel Island, Florida

Distance: 5.5 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Long after the U.S. linked East Coast to West with the Transcontinental Railroad, pockets of raw,... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
All J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Distance (mi.)
Fort Myers Southwest Florida Regional Airport 25.1 map
Tampa International Airport 106.1 map
Miami International Airport 125.0 map

Other Smaller Airports near J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Distance (mi.)
Sarasota Bradenton Airport 68.8 map
Clearwater/St Petersburg International Airport 105.2 map
Key West International Airport 135.0 map

Feature Articles

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