Life After Rehab: Top Ways to Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature in Fort Myers

Best Places To Explore Outside in Fort Myers

Enjoying the great outdoors can become an essential part of supporting your continued sobriety while recovering from substance use disorder. Doing things outdoors are great sober activities that benefit your overall health physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.

If you’re in any stage of addiction recovery, having fun outdoors can be very therapeutic as you experience the world and reconnect with nature in ways you may not have been able to while abusing substances. Some of the best places to explore the outside in Fort Myers can be exciting and relaxing at the same time, as you reawaken your awareness of your surroundings and enjoy the benefits that sobriety provides. If you or someone you know are struggling with alcohol or drug addiction in Fort Myers, then please call us so we can help. Enjoy the hikes!

Hiking Trails in Fort Myers

You can take solitary hikes or go for a long walk with a friend or even a group of people. Like many physical activities, Hiking helps your body produce endorphins, which provide you with a natural high. A solo hike can help you think more clearly, become more self-aware and help relieve any anxieties you’re harboring. Taking hikes with other people often leads to deeper conversations than you’d encounter in different settings and offers you opportunities to make enjoyable social connections.

Here are some enjoyable hiking trails in Fort Myers:

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

Encompassing more than 3,500 acres of wetlands, the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve has a fascinating and peaceful hiking trail accessible via an elevated wooden boardwalk. Along the way, you’ll likely encounter various animals, ranging from alligators to wading birds. Guided walks are often scheduled, and there is an interesting Interpretive Center on-site.

7751 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33966

Buckingham Trails Preserve

Consisting mainly of pine Flatwoods, the hiking trail is a little over two miles long. This historic site was once a large army airbase facility during World War II. Guided walks and a visit to the military museum are available when you come to Buckingham Trails Preserve.

8790 Buckingham Rd., Fort Myers, FL 33905

Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve West

Located on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, this gorgeous preserve offers hikers a 1.5-mile combined boardwalk and paved trail that takes you through wetlands and pine flatwood ecosystems. Bring your leashed dog along the Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve trails.

17100 McDowell Dr, North Fort Myers, FL 33917

Biking Trails in Fort Myers

Bike riding helps relieve tension, reduce anger and other negative emotions that can sometimes play a part in early recovery from addiction. Cycling through the biking trails in Fort Myers will increase your stamina so you can begin to expend more energy without feeling tired as quickly. Biking also helps decrease body fat and improves your coordination, resulting in improved overall fitness and self-esteem.

John Yarbrough Linear Park

This six-mile, paved, multiple-use path is excellent for bicycling. It’s a north-to-south, smooth linear trail. John Yarbrough Linear Park is dog-friendly (on-leash). There are also picnic shelters available for your enjoyment.

Six Mile Cypress to, Crystal Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33912

Billy Creek Preserve and Filter Marsh

This 56-acre area has stunning bike trails that provide you with views of marshes, a variety of birdlife, and many intriguing Florida strangler fig trees. It’s a peaceful bike trail, with the hubbub of the city within easy reach nearby.

4320 Woodside Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905

Beaches in Fort Myers

Getting through rehab for addiction recovery can be challenging, to say the least. Many people find that going to the beach has a calming effect on the brain just when you need to reduce your stress levels the most. In fact, just the scent, scenery, and sounds of the ocean can put you right into relaxation mode. Head for the beach in Fort Myers when you want to get outdoors to de-stress in this happy environment that’s reminiscent of vacation-time and getting away from it all.

Bowditch Point Beach Park

The smooth, fine sand at this peaceful beach with beautiful views is perfect for taking a stroll or relaxing and watching the Fort Myers-Key West Ferry go by. Bowditch Point Beach is also a great spot for picking up seashells and enjoying a beachfront picnic.

50 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

Bunche Beach

This natural, secluded beach comprises some of the tidal flats on San Carlos Bay paired with a mangrove forest. Bunche Beach is perfect for communing quietly with nature, with birds and other wildlife insight. Pick a spot on the beach to simply relax, read a book or sketch the gorgeous scenery in front of you.

18201 John Morris Rd., Fort Myers, FL 33908

Fort Myers Beach Pier

Whether you want to work on your tan, take a refreshing swim in the Gulf of Mexico waters, people-watch, or play a competitive game of volleyball, Fort Myers Beach Pier at Lynn Hall Memorial Park has a fantastic beach area beside the boardwalk that leads to the pier for doing all of the above. Located adjacent to Times Square, there are plenty of restaurants, and snack shops close by. Walk to the end of the pier to fish and take in the panoramic views.

10 Old San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

Bonita Beach Dog Park

If you’re looking for a fun beach where you can let your dog run free along with other furry friends, Bonita Beach Dog Park is the place to be in Fort Myers. This is a happy place for both you and your pet to splash in the water, play a game of fetch or sit and watch the dogs play together as you enjoy life. There’s even a doggie shower station to rinse your pet of saltwater and sand before you get in your car to go home.

8800 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

Parks in Fort Myers

Enjoying being at one with nature is one of the best self-caring activities you can do while in recovery. Whether you want to calm your spirit alone in a quiet park or be among others who are busy with sports games and having picnics, here are some great parks in Fort Myers to check out.

Centennial Park

This lovely 10-acre park sits along the Caloosahatchee River banks in downtown Fort Myers’ historic River District. An inviting gazebo and plenty of trees amidst grassy lawn areas provide you plenty of spots to seek shade from the sun. Walking trails, river views, picnic areas, and public art displays make Centennial Park a great place to unwind and explore this riverfront neighborhood.

2000 W First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Trailhead Neighborhood Park

This smaller park boasts two safe playgrounds for children to release some fun-filled energy. A covered picnic pavilion and benches let you sit and relax as you have a snack or lunch, take a stroll, people-watch, or simply have a rest before heading off to the nearby biking trails at North Colonial Linear Park. Some walking paths take you through the woods and wetlands for scenic ambiance and a glimpse of some wildlife.

4000 Veronica S Shoemaker Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33916

Hunter Park

Located in the Pine Manor neighborhood, this pretty park has basketball courts, charcoal grills for firing up a BBQ meal, a walking path, picnic shelters, and a playground for the kids. There’s a bike trail around the small lake that’s home to families of ducks and fish. This is an excellent spot to chill and de-stress in a clean, peaceful atmosphere.

1526 Oak Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33907

Outdoor Exercise Areas

Combine the great outdoors with physical exercise that you love to participate in, and you’ll find that your brain stimulates the release of similar chemicals as the substances you once abused to help you feel emotionally lifted. Now that you’ve achieved sobriety, your system may still crave those euphoric-type feelings. Instead of feeling triggered to relapse, get outdoors and engage in stimulating exercise to replace those cravings. Jogging, brisk walking, boating, bicycling, and going on thrilling water rides can all deliver a natural high to your brain. When you’re seeking somewhat more challenging outside activities in or near Fort Myers, you may want to look into some of these outdoor exercise areas.

Sun Splash Family Waterpark

This exciting park is chock full of different kinds of water slides, pools, and tube rides geared to provide fun and outdoor exercise for people of all ages and abilities. A sand volleyball court gives you a spot to have a competitive game with friends. A snack bar in the park offers up beverages, meals, snacks, and fast food items.

400 Santa Barbara Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Lakes Regional Park

Take an early morning jog or energetic bike ride along the wide paths at this 300-acre park that has something for everyone. Visitors can rent a paddleboat or kayak and make their way through the picturesque waterways of this little bit of paradise in Fort Myers.

7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.