Gordon River Greenway: Naples' Wild Park in the Middle of Town
General education only — not legal, tax, financial, insurance, or other professional advice. Read the full disclaimer
Most cities would be thrilled to have a park like the Gordon River Greenway on their outskirts. Naples has it in the middle of town — a 140-acre ribbon of wild Florida threading between downtown and the Gordon River, free and open to everyone.
The Gordon River from the boardwalk — mangroves, brackish water, and a working estuary minutes from downtown.
A real escape, minutes from Fifth Avenue
The greenway protects an ecological corridor of six native plant communities, with 2.5 miles of paved and boardwalk trails for walking, jogging, biking, and skating. You’re a few minutes from the shops and restaurants, but on the boardwalk it feels like the Everglades — herons stalking the shallows, ospreys overhead, and a yellow-crowned night heron rookery on an island in the river.
A gopher tortoise on the upland trail — a threatened species you’ll genuinely see out here.
On the water
There’s a kayak and canoe launch at the Goodlette-Frank Road entrance — bring your own, or book a guided kayak tour or electric-boat ecotour through the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, whose nature center sits right beside the greenway. Paddling the Gordon River is one of the nicest, easiest ways to see this side of Naples (and a gentler cousin to the deep-water boating the coast is known for).
A center-console and an electric eco-cruise working up the Gordon River past the park.
Good to know
- Free, open 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m. daily; parking at Golden Gate Parkway and near Goodlette-Frank Road.
- Connects to Baker Park next door for an even longer outing.
- Leashed-dog friendly, with fishing and lookout piers, a treehouse playground, picnic pavilions, and restrooms.
- Best enjoyed in the cool of the morning — see our Naples weather guide.
Sunset and a crescent moon over the river — the greenway stays open until 10 p.m.
It’s part of what makes everyday life here so good: the beaches, the public parks, and wild gems like Corkscrew Swamp are all part of the deal. For what’s on around town, check the events calendar — and if you want to live near the greenway and the Gordon River, reach out and I’ll help you find it.
In photos — from my last walk
Photos © The Nicholas Nolan Team — taken on the greenway, June 2026.
Sources: Collier County Parks & Recreation, Gordon River Greenway (gordonrivergreenway.org), and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Hours and amenities can change — verify before you go.
