Explore the Gordon River Greenway

Naples’ Nature Escape Hiding in Plain Sight

One of our favorite things about the Gordon River Greenway is how quickly Naples disappears.

You’re only minutes away from some of the busiest parts of town, yet portions of the trail feel completely removed from the city.

The Greenway covers approximately 140 acres and includes about 2.5 miles of asphalt, mulch, and boardwalk trails through multiple native plant communities.

You can walk, jog, bike, rollerblade, bring a leashed dog, stop at overlooks, or just wander.

Best Time to Visit

Our pick: 7:00–9:00 a.m.

You’ll get cooler temperatures, softer light, and generally better conditions for spotting wildlife.

Late afternoon can also be beautiful.

The middle of a hot summer day?

Not our first choice.

There’s shade in places, but you’re still in Southwest Florida.

Where to Enter

There are multiple access points.

The Golden Gate Parkway entrance is a simple option if the Greenway itself is your main destination.

There’s also access from the Goodlette-Frank Road side through the Naples Zoo entrance area.

That makes the Greenway especially good if you’re trying to build an entire morning around several Naples attractions rather than just taking a quick walk.

Don’t Just Walk Straight Through

This is where people miss the point.

The Greenway isn’t something you need to “complete.”

Stop at the overlooks.

Walk onto the fishing and lookout piers.

Listen for birds.

Look along the edges of the water.

Check the mangroves.

You’ll notice considerably more when you slow down.

What to Bring

Water.

Sunscreen.

Bug spray, especially during warmer and wetter months.

A camera or binoculars if you’re into wildlife.

And comfortable shoes—even though much of the route is paved or boardwalk.

Naples Best Tip

If you’re biking, combine the Greenway with Baker Park rather than turning around immediately.

That’s how you turn a nature trail into an actual Naples morning.

Grab breakfast or coffee afterward and you’ll have experienced a completely different side of Naples before many visitors have even left their hotels.

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Photos: “Gordon River Greenway” and “Gordon River Naples” via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA).