Visitor Information

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The J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is known for its abundant bird life. The best months to visit for birding are December through March. It's always best to coordinate a visit around a low tide when the birds are feeding on the exposed mud flats. Many events happen throughout the year on the refuge, which can make a visit that much more enjoyable.

Calendar of Events

"Ding" Darling Days

Interpretive Programs and Tours

 

The Education Center, the refuge's visitor center, features interactive exhibits on refuge ecosystems, the work of "Ding" Darling, migratory flyways, the National Wildlife Refuge System, and a hands-on area for children. The Center is open daily except most federal holidays. The Center hours are January - April from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and May - December from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Center is located two miles west of Tarpon Bay Rd. on Sanibel Captiva Rd.

The Bookstore is located in the Education Center and is operated by the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. Visitors can find numerous field guides, nature books, children's books, shirts, postcards, and many other items. Revenues from the bookstore help to fund many programs at the refuge.

The Wildlife Drive, the refuge's public access road, is open Saturday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 1/2 hour before sunset. The Drive is closed every Friday to all access. This is to give the wildlife an opportunity to feed along the Drive with no human disturbance. It also gives refuge staff the opportunity to do maintenance along the road without endangering the public and allows biologists to do surveys and other research without human interference. The Wildlife Drive is open on all federal holidays unless those holidays fall on a Friday. Dogs are allowed on the Drive as long as they are kept on a leash no longer than 6 ft. at all times.

The Wildlife Drive entrance is located in the Education Center parking lot. Entrance fees are $5 per vehicle and $1 per walker/biker over 15 years. Entrance passes such as the Golden Age, Golden Eagle, Golden Access, Refuge Annual, and current year's Federal Duck Stamp are accepted and may be purchased at the entrance gate or in the Education Center.

There are three trails that can be accessed from Wildlife Drive. The 4 mile, round-trip Indigo Trail leaves from the Education Center parking lot and ends at the cross-dike, which extends from the Drive. Along the trail, visitors often spot wildlife such as alligators, night herons, and white ibis. The Wulfert Keys Trail off the Drive is a 1/4 mile trail leading to a view of Pine Island Sound. The Shell Mound Trail is a 1/4 mile, universally accessible, interpretive boardwalk. The vegetation along the trail sustained a lot of damage in 2004 from Hurricane Charley, but visitors can still learn about the ancient Calusa Indian and the native vegetation while reading interpretive panels along the boardwalk.

The Bailey Tract is located off Tarpon Bay Rd. This 100 acre parcel is a unique area of the refuge with its interior wetland where freshwater plants and wildlife dominate. The trails can be accessed by walking or biking at any time.

Other recreational opportunities include fishing, boating, kayak/canoeing, bicycling, nature photography, and bird watching.

Salt water fishing is popular along the Wildlife Drive, in Tarpon Bay, and in the backwaters of the refuge. Commonly caught fish include sheepshead, snook, redfish, and spotted sea trout. All Florida state fishing laws apply. Boating is allowed in the refuge in designated areas; however, the refuge has over 2,800 acres of designated Wilderness Area that is a non-motorized zone. Be sure to consult the refuge Fishing and Boating brochure for closed areas and non-motorized zones.

There are two designated kayak/canoe launch sites along the Wildlife Drive. Guided kayak and canoe tours are offered from Canoe Adventures along the Drive ((239) 472-5218) and in Tarpon Bay with Tarpon Bay Explorers. There is also kayaking/canoeing around Buck Key off of Captiva Island.

Visitors may tour the Wildlife Drive and most of the trails by bicycle. All bicyclists must obey the one-way rule of the road. From the Education Center, it is an 8 mile loop along Wildlife Drive returning along the main bike path along Sanibel-Captiva Rd., or a 4 mile loop along Wildlife Drive returning along the Indigo Trail.

Tours are offered through the refuge's concessionaire, Tarpon Bay Explorers. They run the guided tram tours along the Wildlife Drive leaving from the Education Center parking lot. At the Tarpon Bay Recreation Area, Tarpon Bay Explorers provide kayak/canoe and sealife interpretive tours, and visitors can view refuge marine life up close. Visitors may also rent bicycles, kayaks, canoes, pontoon boats, and fishing equipmnet; purchase bait and fishing licenses; or book a charter fishing trip.