Kids can walk in the waters of Six Mile Cypress Slough
Looking for a truly unique family outing?
Children ages 8 and up have a chance Saturday, Aug. 30 to walk in the slowly moving waters of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers. The nonprofit Friends of the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve will hold two Family Wet Walks that day, from 9 to approximately 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to about 3:30 p.m.
Normally, participants on wet walks must be at least 12 years old. The Family Wet Walks are designed for children ages 8 to 11, with activities such as a scavenger hunt, playing nature detective, dip netting, and more. Older children and adults are certain to enjoy the experience as well.
Children ages 8 to 11 take part for free. The cost for students age 12 and up is $25. The adult price is $25 for Friends members and $40 for non-members. Children must be accompanied by an adult (at least one adult per two children.) The maximum number of participants at each family wet walk is 12.
Register for a Family Wet Walk.
Wet walks allow visitors access to parts of the Slough that normally are off-limits and let them experience the beautiful wetlands in new and surprising ways. The trail is safe and has welcomed tens of thousands of walkers for more than 50 years.
The 2025 Wet Walk schedule has a total of 14 regular wet walks, two meditation wet walks, two themed wet walks, plus the two Family Wet Walks. The season opens Saturday, Aug. 16 and runs through Saturday, Oct. 25. Most of the walks are on Saturday mornings, but there also are two on Saturday afternoons, and one each on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning.
Get a complete schedule and description of wet walks and links to register.
Parking at the Slough costs $1 an hour or $5 for an entire day. The Lee County Parks and Recreation pass is valid at the Slough, at 7791 Penzance Blvd. in Fort Myers.
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is more than 3,500 acres of wetland ecosystem with a boardwalk trail and Interpretive Center. Animals like otters, alligators, turtles, wading birds, and more live at the Slough year-round. Others, like migrating birds and butterflies, use the Slough as a feeding area or a winter home. The Slough is managed by the Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation and is open daily from sunrise to sunset.