Alligator Creek
Alligator Creek Preserve
The Alligator Creek Preserve was created in 1987, and is located within the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park, with over 46,000 acres.
The park includes nearly 6 miles of interconnected natural trails traversing through unique ecosystems, including oak hammocks, pine flatwoods, saltwater marshes, mangrove swamps, and freshwater ponds. These trails offer an endless variety of hiking, and an opportunity to experience the true “Wild Florida”, within the third largest preserve in the state.
Our volunteer Naturalists offer interpretive in-depth trail walks to the public, free of charge, during "season".
Plan Your Visit
Alligator Creek Preserve
Sites & Amenities
The Caniff Welcome Center
The Caniff Welcome Center, open to the public from October - April, is located at the very end of the driveway boardwalk. Currently open 9 am - 12 pm.
Butterfly Sanctuary
CHEC's Butterfly Sanctuary is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9 am - 12 pm.
The Rose Isaksen Gift Shop
Located inside the Welcome Center, open to the public from October - April.
Alligator Pond
Our iconic Alligator Pond, open sunrise to sunset.
Ron Mills Bird Blind
The Ron Mills Bird Blind, open to the public from October - April, 9 am - 3 pm.
Butterfly Sanctuary
Our walk-in Butterfly Sanctuary is the largest in Charlotte County, and run solely by volunteers. This Sanctuary allows us to engage with guests in an interactive setting, educating visitors about the plight of the pollinators and teaching them about how the pollinators positively affect our community. Come visit our immersive butterfly garden and learn about our imperiled pollinator friends, surrounded by the native plants they need to grow.
Outdoor Education Pavilion
Experience the outdoors with inside amenities. Reserve our screened-in Outdoor Education Pavilion for special events and enjoy hand painted murals of Florida’s unique ecosystems, ceiling fans, lights, and a projector screen.
Ron Mills Bird Blind
View Florida’s feathered friends up close, in the Ron Mills Bird Blind. Enjoy a relaxing sit as you observe our native birds through one way glass. There are books, pamphlets, and binoculars that will satisfy any birder, from novice to expert, and a sightings board for you to log your daily finds.
The Rose Isaksen Gift Shop
This very special gift shop was made possible by the late Rose Isaksen, who, with her husband Bob, gave tirelessly of their time and resources for over 25 years. Located in the Caniff Welcome Center, it is full of unique southwest Florida gifts, including handcrafted items from local artists.
The Charles E. Caniff Reception and Welcome Center
The Caniff Welcome Center, named after our founder, is located at the very end of the driveway boardwalk. Inside, observe some of CHEC’s very own animal rescues, spanning native and non-native species. Take a look at some of our educational exhibits, like our vintage taxidermy or our pollinator friends, and enjoy our artifact displays of how Floridians lived before.
Alligator Pond
Take a look at our Alligator Pond, where you can see our native wildlife in it's natural habitat, from the comfort of our viewing station. Complete with benches and binnocular style tower viewers, you can sit and enjoy the view.
