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Florida
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State of Florida Parks

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USA Parks
Florida
Southwest Region
Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge
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MATLACHA PASS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
MATLACHA PASS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
1 Wildlife Drive
Sanibel, Florida   33957
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Matlacha Pass NWR, administered as a satellite refuge of J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR, is located within the Matlacha Pass Charlotte Harbor estuary, Lee County, Florida, approximately 8 miles northwest of Fort Myers. On September 26, 1908, three small islands were established as a ". . . preserve and breeding ground for native birds" by President Theodore Roosevelt through Executive Order 943.

Since then, the refuge has grown to 23 islands encompassing about 512 acres. The most recent addition of lands to the refuge was on April 10, 1991, when Public Land Order 6843 withdrew approximately 312 acres of public lands from surface entry and mining for 40 years for use by the USFWS. Designated by the State of Florida as an Aquatic Preserve, the refuge islands are part of a highly productive estuary which supports a diverse array of wildlife. The islands contain two basic vegetative zones, upland sand ridges and mangroves.

Fisherman Key, one of the largest islands of the refuge, once had fish camps and permanent residents on it. Several islands of the Matlacha Pass Refuge are used as roosting and nesting sites for a variety of wading and water birds. The beaches and shores provide loafing, feeding, and nesting areas for migratory ducks, shorebirds, gulls, and terns.

Ospreys, which are listed as a priority species in the Regional Resource Plan, can be observed nesting and feeding in Matlacha Pass area. Several endangered and threatened species benefit from the habitats described including: bald eagles, wood storks, sea turtles, and manatees.
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Area Campgrounds
Tamiami Village & RV Park
16555 North Cleveland Avenue
North Fort Myers, FL
239-997-2697
Periwinkle Trailer Park
1119 Periwinkle Way
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239-472-1433
Encore Fort Myers Beach
16299 San Carlos Boulevard
Fort Myers, FL
239-466-7171
Red Coconut RV Park
3001 Estero Boulevard
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239-463-7200
Siesta Bay RV Resort
19333 Summerlin Road
Fort Myers, FL
888-886-2477
Ebb Tide RV Park
1725 Main Street
Fort Myers Beach, FL
239-463-5444
Indian Creek RV Resort
17340 San Carlos Boulevard
Fort Myers Beach, FL
888-886-2477
Swan Lake Village & RV Resort
2400 North Tamiami Trail
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239-995-3397
San Carlos RV Park & Islands
18701 San Carlos Boulevard
Fort Myers Beach, FL
239-466-3133
Oyster Bay RV Park
1711 Main Street
Fort Myers Beach, FL
239-463-2171
Bocilla Island Seaport Office
8395 Main Street
Bokeelia, FL
239-283-2244
Iona Ranch
16295 Davis Road
Fort Myers, FL
239-466-0440
Groves RV Resort
16175 John Morris Road
Fort Myers, FL
888-886-2477
Nearby Hotels
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Directions
Access to the waters surrounding the islands that make up Matlacha Pass NWR is by boat only. The islands are not accessible to visitors. Boaters should consult navigational charts and tide schedules before attempting to visit any waters surrounding the refuge. Numerous oyster bars and shallow back bay/estuary waters are difficult to navigate and fragile seagrass beds must not be damaged. The refuge can be located by boat via the intracoastal waterway south of Charlotte Harbor between the eastern boundary of Pine Island and western boundary of Cape Coral. For more information, contact the J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, Florida 33957 or call (239) 472-1100.

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Florida
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State of Florida Parks

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