Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center — Attraction in Punta Gorda

I was in Punta Gorda for work on a trial. My trial ended up ending early, so my husband and I spent the rest of the day here, and it was breathtakingly gorgeous. Entry is free, and they do accept donations.

Before going on the trail, we stopped inside the gift shop building. The girl working in their was so kind and informational. They were about 4 minutes from closing up but she let us take a look around and told us that we were welcome to walk the trails past 4 as long as we park outside of the gate so we don't get our car trapped. The building had some small animal exhibits (mostly snakes) and taxidermy with a little gift shop. When we finished looking around, she gave us a map and a rundown of each of the trails and what is seen the most on each trail.

The trail we took was 1.6 miles, and we took the hidden hammock extension to another looped trail and back to the origibal trail.

It was a nice long walk that I mostly did barefoot since the shoes I was wearing from my trial earlier that day were not exactly meant for walking.

My husband and I loved it! It was beautiful with lots of tree coverage and animals. We got to see a gopher tortoise, 3 armadillos, and hogs with a little baby hog. The most animals I've ever seen on a nature walk.

There are A LOT of huge mosquitos, so make sure you bring some really good bug spray like deep forest bug spray. We didn't have that luxury since we came straight from the courthouse, so we got super bit up and swarmed on. By the end, we were covered in blood from the amount of mosquito slapping...

Very cool place. I would recommend bringing bug spray as the mosquitoes and Nats can be bad out on the trails by the water. The trails are very well marked and the scenery is beautiful. There are bathrooms and a screened picnic area for you to us. This is an educational preserve so there is alot of information available about the plants trees and animals that live here. It's also an alligator preserve so be mindful of your surroundings and follow the signs. It's so peaceful and relaxing to just walk along the trails and take in the beauty mother nature has to offer. It does get hot so bring water for yourself and your dog. Oh and good walking shoes are definitely the way to go . Put this place on your list ...I don't think you will be disappointed.

*I wanted to add that you should also bring your camera and sunglasses. Just a little reminder from the great staff of this...

Very primitive and very cool. If you get easily creeped out by rustling in the bushes while you walk around, then this is not the place for you. Everyone else will love it. I only had time to do the Eagle Point (red) Trail and it took about 30 min. They were doing work on a bridge to Three Lakes and Pine Flatwood and I don’t think it was possible to get to those trail heads, but this should be a temporary issue that others won’t face. Other bridges and areas were roped off in spots due to hurricane damage, but nothing bad. I’ll be back to do those trails and two others as well. They key here is they have fantastic signage on the trails with informative signs and many white posts with QR codes explaining the trees and plants (though I didn’t have great cell service inside with T-Mobile). And they have a good map and info page you can carry with you. Overall, fantastic...