It’s easy to miss. Most people driving through Fort Myers are busy looking for the main entrance to the world-famous boardwalk, the one with the Interpretive Center and the big paved parking lot. But if you keep driving, you’ll find the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North. It doesn't have the flashy visitor center. There aren't any gift shops or organized school tours here. Honestly, that’s exactly why it’s worth your time.
This northern extension is basically the "wilder" sibling of the main preserve. While the southern end is where you go for a curated, educational stroll, the north is where you go to actually feel like you’re in the Florida Everglades without having to drive two hours south. It's a massive, critical piece of the puzzle for Lee County’s water quality and wildlife corridor. Without this specific chunk of land, the entire slough system would eventually choke out.
What is Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North anyway?
So, here is the deal. The "Slough" (pronounced sloo) is essentially a long, narrow wetland that acts as a natural drain for the region. It’s about 11 miles long. The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North represents a significant portion of the upper watershed. It’s located north of Penzance Boulevard and it is rugged.
If you’re expecting a 1.2-mile elevated wooden boardwalk like the main site, you’re gonna be disappointed. This area is more about "wet-foot" hiking and rugged trails. It’s 1,200 acres of pure, unadulterated Florida. We’re talking about a mix of cypress swamp, pine flatwoods, and wet prairies. The Lee County Conservation 20/20 program spent years acquiring these parcels of land to ensure that urban sprawl didn't pave over the very thing that keeps Fort Myers from flooding every time a summer storm rolls in.
Water flows. That’s its job.
In the North Preserve, you see that process in its rawest form. The water enters the system here, gets filtered by the plants and soil, and slowly creeps south toward Estero Bay. If the North Preserve didn't exist, the water would just rush off asphalt, carrying oil and fertilizers directly into the Gulf. Instead, it sits here. It lingers. It gets clean.
The Wildlife: It's Not Just Alligators
Everyone wants to see a gator. You probably will see one at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North, especially if you’re looking near the deeper channels during the dry season (December through April). But the real stars here are the birds and the weirder residents.
I’ve seen Wood Storks—those prehistoric-looking things with the bald heads—stalking through the shallows here more often than at the main boardwalk. They like the quiet. Because there are fewer people, the wildlife acts a lot more natural. You might catch a glimpse of a Bobcat if you’re out at sunrise. They’re around. They’re just shy.
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What to look for on the ground
- Limpkins: Listen for their screaming cry; it sounds like a haunted house soundtrack.
- Bromeliads: Look up into the cypress canopy. These "air plants" cling to the branches.
- Feral Hogs: Yeah, they’re an invasive species, but they tear up the mud in the North Preserve quite a bit. You’ll see the "rooting" everywhere.
- River Otters: If you’re lucky, you’ll see them sliding through the tannins in the deeper slough pockets.
It's a different vibe. You’ve gotta be observant. You have to move slow.
The Reality of Hiking the North Slough
Let's get real for a second. If you visit Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North in August, you are going to get wet. This isn't a suggestion; it's a fact. The trails are designed to handle the seasonal ebb and flow of Florida's water table. During the rainy season, parts of the trail can be knee-deep in tea-colored water.
Is it dangerous? Not if you’re smart. But it is messy.
The main trail access for the North section is often found via the Penzance Boulevard entry point or nearby trailheads connected to the wider Conservation 20/20 network. Unlike the southern boardwalk, which is ADA accessible, the north is mostly packed earth, grass, and occasionally mud.
You need real shoes. Don't show up in flip-flops. Honestly, even "waterproof" boots might not save you in October. Most locals who frequent this spot just wear old sneakers they don't mind ruining or dedicated hiking sandals with a good grip.
Why the "North" Expansion Matters for Fort Myers
There was a time when people thought swamps were useless. Just "wasteland" waiting to be drained. Thankfully, ecologists like Bill Hammond and the original "Monday Group" in the 1970s realized that the Six Mile Cypress system was a vital organ for Florida.
The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North is the latest chapter in that protection story. By keeping this land undeveloped, Lee County is protecting its own future. The slough acts as a massive sponge. During a hurricane, these 3,500+ total acres (including the North section) hold millions of gallons of water.
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If those acres were houses? That water would be in someone’s living room.
It’s also a "refuge" in the truest sense of the word. As Fort Myers grows—and man, is it growing fast—animals get pushed into smaller and smaller pockets. The North Preserve provides a corridor. A deer can move from the northern reaches of the county down toward the central slough without having to cross quite as many six-lane highways. It's about connectivity.
Getting There and What to Bring
You won't find a big neon sign for the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North. You’ll want to look for the Lee County Conservation 20/20 markers.
Parking is limited compared to the main park. There are no bathrooms out on the trails. None. If you need a restroom, go to the gas station on Ben C. Pratt/Six Mile Cypress Parkway before you head in.
The Essentials:
- Water: More than you think. The humidity under the canopy is like a wet blanket.
- Bug Spray: During the summer, the mosquitoes here are essentially the size of small drones. They are relentless.
- A Camera with a Zoom Lens: You won't get as close to the birds as you do on the boardwalk.
- Offline Maps: Cell service is okay, but the trails can get confusing when they’re overgrown. Download the map on AllTrails or the Lee County 20/20 site first.
Understanding the "Slough" Ecosystem
A slough isn't a river. It doesn't have a defined bed and banks that stay the same all year. It’s a slow-moving sheet of water. The trees here—the Bald Cypress—are specially adapted to live in this "in-between" state. They have "knees" (pneumatophores) that stick up out of the mud. Scientists still debate exactly what they’re for, but most think they help the tree breathe or stay anchored in the muck.
When you walk through the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North, you’re walking through a forest that is perfectly comfortable being flooded for six months of the year. That’s incredible when you think about it. Most trees would just rot and die.
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The water is stained dark, like a strong Earl Grey tea. That’s not "dirt." It’s tannins from the decaying cypress needles and leaves. It’s actually quite clean; the acidity keeps certain bacteria at bay. It’s the lifeblood of the Florida backcountry.
Comparing the Main Preserve vs. The North
| Feature | Main Preserve (Boardwalk) | North Preserve (Conservation 20/20) |
|---|---|---|
| Walking Surface | 1.2-mile elevated wooden boardwalk | Natural earth, grass, and water |
| Difficulty | Easy / ADA Accessible | Moderate / Rugged |
| Crowds | High (especially in winter) | Very Low |
| Facilities | Restrooms, Center, Water Fountains | None |
| Experience | Educational & Curated | Wild & Adventurous |
Basically, if you have kids in a stroller or you're wearing nice clothes, go to the main entrance. If you want to disappear into the woods for three hours and not see another human being, the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North is your spot.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
Don't just drive out there without a plan. Florida weather is temperamental. Check the radar. If a thunderstorm is rolling in, you do not want to be under a canopy of cypress trees in a swamp. Lightning is the real deal here.
Plan to arrive at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North right at at sunrise. The light hitting the cypress needles is orange and soft, and the "dawn chorus" of birds is deafening. It’s the best time to see the environment before the heat turns the air into soup.
Check the Lee County Conservation 20/20 website for any temporary trail closures. Sometimes they do "prescribed burns." This sounds scary, but it’s actually great. It clears out the underbrush and helps the pine trees drop their seeds. If a section is closed for a burn, stay out. The ground stays hot for days.
If you want to help, look into the Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough. They do a lot of the heavy lifting for both the main park and the surrounding protected lands. This place exists because regular people fought for it.
Final takeaways for the trail:
- Pack it in, pack it out. There are no trash cans in the North section.
- Stay on the marked trails. The swamp is easy to get turned around in once the sun starts to go down.
- Watch your step. Cottonmouths (Water Moccasins) are part of the ecosystem. They aren't aggressive, but they will defend themselves if you step on them. Watch where you put your feet, especially near the water's edge.
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North is a reminder of what Florida used to look like before the condos and the golf courses. It’s quiet, it’s damp, and it’s absolutely essential. Whether you’re a photographer, a bird watcher, or just someone who needs to hear the wind in the pines instead of traffic on I-75, this northern expansion is a sanctuary worth protecting and exploring.
To get started, pull up the Lee County Conservation 20/20 land map and locate the "North Shore" or "Penzance" access points. Check the local water levels through the South Florida Water Management District if you want to know how deep the wading will be. Grab a pair of shoes you don't care about, douse yourself in DEET, and head out before the 10:00 AM heat hits. It is one of the few places left in Fort Myers where you can truly hear yourself think.