If you have been thinking about camping in Southwest Florida, then you have probably heard of Collier-Seminole State Park. It is one of the few State Parks in this neck of the woods where camping is allowed!
Yet I must admit that, despite having lived in Naples since 2012, I had only visited this park once.
We finally decided to spend a couple of nights in this park, which was no easy feat because this park is routinely booked! Maybe it is because we live here that we did not expect much from this park. We kept wondering what was the big deal about it.
Well…we were pleasantly surprised!
Read on for a campground review, tips, and summary of things to do based on our experience.
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Getting There
Collier Seminole State Park is located at 20200 Tamiami Trail E., Naples FL 34114. Getting to Collier-Seminole State Park is rather simple, as you simply follow US-41 South. There is only one entrance to the park, making the process easy!
Collier Seminole State Park: Campground Guide
Feel free to use the code below to share this infographic on your website!
<p><strong>Please include attribution to A Pragmatic Lens with this graphic.</strong><br /><br /><a href='https://apragmaticlens.com/collier-seminole-state-park/'><img src='https://ml0cur3zhy5j.i.optimole.com/w:auto/h:auto/q:mauto/ig:avif/f:best/https://apragmaticlens.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Collier-Seminole-State-Park-Info-1.jpg' alt='Collier Seminole State Park Infographic with summary of camping information and amenities' width='800px' border='0' /></a></p>There are a total of 95 sites divided into two main loops. The largest loop consists of 78 RV/tent sites, and the small loop consists of 17 tent-only sites.
Navigating the Roads
The roads leading to the main campground are paved and in good condition. Turns were not particularly sharp and I did not see low-hanging branches, which is good news for those towing larger rigs.
For the most part, there seems to be adequate space to back in travel trailers and fifth wheels into place. Sites are fairly open, so for most sites I did not see issues with low hanging branches.
I must give this warning though: many trees had to be cut down after Irma in 2017, so be careful with tree stumps when you are maneuvering your camper into your site. They can be hard to see. Yes, we speak from experience 🙁
Related: Three Rivers State Park Campground Review
RV/Tent sites
We stayed in the larger loop because we have a travel trailer. The ground is a mix of packed rock and grass, which is rather different from other places we have stayed at. Most other places are either sand or packed gravel.
The sites are spacious, but privacy and shade are quite limited. Part of the reason is that this area was severely affected by Hurricane Irma in September of 2017, which resulted in the loss of many trees.
Sites on the peripheral, such as 35-39 and 81-89 offered the most privacy of all. This is not only because they were on the outer edge of the loop, but also because traffic going through was much more limited.
We stayed on site #53, which was on the inner side of the loop. It had the advantage of being near the bathhouse, but that also reduced privacy. It was also near the dump station, which meant there was a decent amount of RV and trailer traffic going through during check-out times.
Tent sites
We went for a quick stroll to check out the tent sites. With only 17 sites, this is a much smaller loop.
The roads are narrower and not in the best condition. However, if you only have a tent or a small pop-up camper, I would recommend staying in this loop because the sites are quite a bit more private and shady! They provide a better feeling of being in the woods instead of an open campground.
At the time of this writing, the tent sites were closed to new reservations due to renovations. They are expecting to open them back up in mid-April. I may try to go back to see how the sites look after the project. I’ll update this post when I do!
The Bathhouse
The bathhouse by our site was in great condition and recently renovated. As it is typical of state park bathhouses, they also had laundry facilities and a sink for dishwashing.
We did have a few issues during our stay, though.
First of all, there are only two shower stalls in this bathhouse. I am unsure how many stalls were available in the other bathhouse, but it certainly resulted in lines during the evening hours.
The other bigger issue is that, at least in the men’s bathroom, the hot water did not last long enough for the demand. Dan ended up taking cold showers during the two nights we stayed here, although there was plenty of hot water in the women’s bathroom for some odd reason.
I must put a disclaimer here, though. During our stay, the bathhouse in the tent loop was closed for renovation. This means there were only two bathhouses serving over 90 sites during a busy holiday weekend! The tent loop bathhouse is expected to open again in mid-April, so if you are planning to visit later in the year, then this will probably not be an issue.
Dump Stations
While technically there are two lanes at the dump station, the way they are set up does not allow for two rigs to fit. Yes, that means you will probably need to wait in line.
If you have a portable black tank, however, this is not an issue. You can easily use the second lane while the larger RVs use the first one.
Reception and Connectivity
Most state parks do not offer WiFi except in the ranger’s office, so you will need to rely on your own connection.
My Verizon hotspot worked very well during our stay, and I had great reception on my AT&T phone. Dan’s Sprint cell phone had spotty signal though. Two out of the three major carriers is not too bad, though!
Things to do at Collier Seminole State Park
Royal Palm Hammock Trail
The entrance to the trail is right by the boat launch. Less than 1 mile long, this easy loop trail includes dirt paths as well as boardwalks.
This park prides itself on having some of the few natural stands of royal palms in the state. Indeed, the trail felt different than any other trail we have ever been on.
At least in Florida, we are used to going on trails lined with live oaks and slash pines. This trail, however, offered an interesting mix of gumbo limbo, leather ferns, mangroves, cabbage palms, and royal palms. It was certainly an interesting reminder of our proximity to the tropics.
The marsh viewing point is a bit disappointing, though. Despite the name, the encroachment of saltwater has resulted in mangroves taking over during the past decade. Because of this, the marsh can no longer be viewed from this point.
The best marsh viewpoint that I found is actually on the road by the boat launch. Take a stroll there and enjoy the beautiful sunset!
Kayaking/Canoeing
This park is popular due to its access to the water. Park guests are able to bring kayaks, jet skis, paddleboards, and canoes from the boat launch.
There is a small stand where you can rent kayaks and canoes if you do not have your own, and guided tours are available throughout the day.
There is only a single paddling trail, making it very easy to navigate. We paddled in our kayaks for about a mile before turning back because the kids were getting restless. However, this trail goes on for many miles until it essentially opens into the sea at the bottom of Florida!
The main vegetation you will observe are mangroves, typical of brackish waters such as this one. Mangroves provide no shade, so make sure you dress appropriately. The waters are rather murky, so we were unable to see how deep these waters were.
During our short paddle, we observed many of Florida’s iconic wildlife such as kingfishers, snowy egrets, fiddler crabs, ospreys, ibis, and great egrets.
Biking
We did not bring ours this trip because we brought the kayaks instead. Also, there were no biking trails within the park that I could find. There is, however, a paved trail outside the park. While that is an option, it is not a particularly attractive one because it goes right by the road!
Nevertheless, I certainly missed having my bike and I recommend bringing them if you can. Having bikes or scooters will also allow you to explore more of the park without having to get in your car.
Related: Little Talbot Island State Park Campground Review
Local History
Barron Collier Memorial
A few plaques here tell the history of the entrepreneur to whom Collier County owes its name.
Having made his fortune in streetcar advertising, Barron Collier purchased a million acres in the 1920s that would become what we now know today as Collier County.
Barron Collier also reserved a 150-acre royal palm hammock to be designated as a national park. Additional lands were added to it, yet the federal government did not take the land. Instead, the land became a county park before it was eventually turned over to the state in the mid-1940s.
Seminole Indian Village
There is a small space that attempts to replicate the life of the Seminole. I must say though, it is a bit underwhelming. It only shows one house and a replica of a dugout canoe.
Dugout canoes were the main form of transportation used by Seminole Indians in these swamps. Large cypress trees were used to carve out a small canoe. Interestingly, the process would take months to accomplish.
Related: Kolomoki Mounds State Park Campground Review
The Walking Dredge
Anybody with a bit of interest in engineering will find this mechanical beast quite fascinating.
One of the last survivors of its kind, this walking dredge was used to allow the formation of the first road that connected Tampa and Miami: Tamiami Trail.
In order to provide drainage and high, dry ground for a road in the middle of the swamp, canals had to be dug out. Dynamite was used to blast the limestone, which was then scooped out by the dredge. The dredge would then “walk” 10 feet or so and repeat the process.
With a dredge like this, they were able to dig out about 80 feet per day…Tamiami is over 270miles long. Quite the undertaking.
For the Kids
I was surprised to see so many kids playing in this campground, a stark difference from our last camping trip in Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.
There is a large playground by the boat launch area. There are also scavenger hunt worksheets provided in the office for kids to take on nature walks.
My only complaint is that the playground is a bit far. You would either need to drive to it or walk on the road.
For that reason, I recommend bringing bikes and scooters. Our kids enjoyed riding their scooters around the campground with other kids they met during our stay. Drivers were usually mindful of this and drove slowly for the most part.
Because of the configuration of the campground loop, there were large, grassy areas in the middle of the sites. These areas offered great opportunities for free play, and the kids took full advantage of that. It was great having an area away from the road that they could explore freely, yet still within our sight!
Related: Best Florida Springs for Family Adventures
Outside the Park
While we normally never leave the parks where we are camping, this is one of the few places where that might be an option. This park is very close to downtown Naples, so it is a great chance to go and explore the other options that this great city has to offer.
If this is your first time visiting, then Naples beaches and high-end restaurants are worth a check. Marco Island is also a short 20-minute drive from the park!
If you have kids and you are wondering what things you can do in Naples, take a look at this article of things to do that I wrote an article for a fellow blogger here!
Summary and other few tips
- Sites are not private or shady, so it is best to book during the cooler winter months.
- Wait until the bathhouse and tent-loop renovations are finished around mid-April before booking a site here.
- If you have a pop-up or tent, stick to the shady, more private sites in the tent-only loop.
- In the large campground loop, book the sites on the outer periphery (35-39 and 81-89) for a bit more privacy and reduced traffic.
- Bring bikes and/or scooters for the whole family. Even though there are no dedicated bike paths, you can explore more of the park this way.
- Do not miss the opportunity to go on a paddle among the mangroves. Bring your own kayak or rent one.
- Mosquitoes were pretty bad and we are not even in the summer yet, so load up on DEET!
- Gas stations with convenience stores are within a mile of the park entrance.
- Verizon and AT&T had good reception. Sprint was spotty.
- If you come for more than a few nights, plan on exploring other portions of Naples and Marco Island.
Additional Resources
RV and Camping Resources
RV Trip Planning
The End
So there you have it! I hope this summary helps you plan your visit to this park. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to drop them in the comments below!
Thank you. I was just down in that area not long ago & took a look see at the park. Your report is really “spot on”.
I live in Sarasota so parks close are always of interest to me. In late summer the horse flies were vicious & I agree w/ the limited privacy w/ little vegetation to park our class B + Motorhome. That said, I would stay at that park if I could get in during tourist season….
It really is worth it to spend a few days. As you said, it is better to try to snatch a spot in the cooler months. We book all our camping trips 11 months in advance. Otherwise, there is very little chance of getting in. There is a lot to do within the park and around Naples! I love Sarasota too, by the way. We’ll be camping near the area in a few weeks at Oscar Scherer State Park!
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