Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve — Attraction in Cape Coral

This was one of my least favorite trails I went on while on my visit to the Fort Myers area.

I think a few things contribute to that. It’s a busy park I believe because parking is free and it’s free to access. It’s off of a main road so I can see that people might stop there to take a break.

I understand that the hurricane messed everything up, not too long ago, and things are still in progress of being repaired. I do want to let people know who maybe have some difficulties walking or keeping their equilibrium that this trail may not be the best for you. Some of the boardwalk was Roller coaster-like. Where it was obvious at some of the support head sunken into the mud and making the boardwalk not level.

There was a part of the boardwalk that was at maybe at 25° or 30° angle like at a corner and I thought that was a little bit unsafe. But it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me, but I could see that it could be difficult for some people to navigate to being on a boardwalk above the ground a little bit and losing their balance.

I didn’t see any wildlife. I mean zero. Not even a bird. I heard a couple of birds, but mostly not. People were very rude. Some people were running some people were walking and talking loudly. If you want to see wildlife, I wouldn’t recommend going here midday. That’s probably a better time to go in the morning or before dusk or something when it’s a little bit less busy.

I had to strategically wait for people to get out of my camera review and that’s the only way I got these empty looking pictures. Because it wasn’t empty at all.

The loop is actually quite long. I didn’t recall exactly how long it was or if it was posted how long it was. I felt like I was feeling really done at one point cause I was getting a little bit overheated and I still had like another 10 or 15 minute walk ahead of me. And I was really wishing that I had the ability to shortcut through and get back...

I recently visited the Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve in Cape Coral, and it was an unforgettable experience. The peaceful boardwalk trail winds through lush mangroves, providing a perfect opportunity to connect with nature.

During my visit, I was lucky enough to spot a baby alligator sunbathing in the water — a memorable wildlife encounter! I also caught a glimpse of a majestic bald eagle soaring overhead, which was a real highlight.

One moment that stood out to me personally was visiting the Iraq War Memorial at the preserve. As a veteran who proudly served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, this memorial struck a deep chord with me. It’s a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by so many, and I found it incredibly meaningful to reflect on those memories in such a peaceful setting.

The sunset from the pier was absolutely breathtaking, casting warm hues over the water and creating a serene end to the day. I also took some time to visit the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Veterans Memorial, which added a meaningful touch to the visit, honoring those who served.

If you’re looking for a peaceful escape into nature with plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities, and a lot of mangrove views on the boardwalk, I highly recommend checking out this hidden gem in Cape Coral.

Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve is a fantastic spot to relax, reflect, and enjoy Southwest Florida’s...

A lovely park near the west side of the Midpoint bridge The Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, at 365 acres, is the second-largest preserved green space in Cape Coral. It is located just north of Veteran's Parkway. It does not have access directly off the Veterans Memorial Parkway. YOu can get to it by driving to Del Prado and then backtracking to the Memorials. There seems to be a fair amount of parking along the entrance road. The Four Mile Cove / “Eco Park” is a brackish water wetland area with a walking trail, visitor center, and Veterans Memorial Area. On the south side of the parking lot is the Veterans Memorial Area, which includes several memorials designed to recognize and honor those who have served our country through the U.S. armed services. Visitors can walk through the preserve on a nice boardwalk. The trails lead to a fishing pier and another place onto the river. Their website states, “ This is a nature preserve; therefore, dogs are prohibited on the trails, jogging, skateboarding, biking, skating, or rollerblading. The walking trails and access to the Veterans Memorial Area are available year-round.” Overall, it is a very nice place to enjoy the local greenery along a pleasant covered boardwalk trail through...