Explore Naples and Marco Island by Bicycle

Naples, Florida, is a bike-friendly destination with trails, spectacular beaches, and abundant wildlife that’s easy to spot from your bicycle seat. Despite being just 14-square miles, Naples is home to over 30-miles of bicycle pathways and cycle-friendly roads. You’re also at an advantage to explore the nooks and crannies of the island that don’t have vehicle access or parking. 

Bicycle Rentals and Guided Bicycle Tours

To get started, you can rent a bike or join a tour with Naples Bicycle Tours for a two to three-hour cycling tour that provides all the necessary equipment and snacks you’ll need. Their small group tours in Naples, Marco Island, and the Everglades get you up close to the diversity of the area with knowledgeable guides. You’ll see everything from history to architecture, landscapes, and nature. 

Bicycle Paths and Multi-Use Trails

If you rent a bike and head out on your own, get to know the area with some of these bike paths in Naples. 

Explore Naples & Marco Island Florida by Bicycle

Gordon River Greenway

Take a ride along a scenic, paved nature trail that cuts through the heart of Naples. The Gordon River Greenway is 2.5-miles of asphalt, mulch, and boardwalk trails ideal for biking, jogging, skateboarding, and strolling. While exploring the 140-acre Gordon River Greenway Park, hop off your bike at look-out piers to look for wildlife and a diverse range of plant communities.

Clam Pass Park

Tucked behind the posh Naples Grande Beach Resort, Clam Pass Park features shady mangrove tunnels and a boardwalk. Ride your bike from your accommodations to the park or make it an end destination. Secure your bike at the rack and stroll down the boardwalk to find shallow waters that drift between a lagoon and the Gulf. 

Pelican Bay

Pelican Bay is known for its private beaches, tennis, upscale shopping, waterside dining, and protected nature preserves. Its namesake 88-acre park and recreation areas offer opportunities for biking, jogging, and rollerblading in an area tucked between Pelican Bay Boulevard and the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll find a network of berms and boardwalks passing through native vegetation. 

Freedom Park

Freedom Park stands as a natural memorial to American heroes, especially those lost during 9/11. Multi-use paths weave through marshes and pass by native plant species. Look for signs along the paths to identify native plants. A 3,500-foot boardwalk extends across the eastern side of the park. As you pass by marshes and wetlands, watch for white herons, green herons, great blue herons, and ibis.

Gulf Shore Drive

Take a ride through Naples along Gulf Shore Blvd, spanning across Central Avenue to 20th Avenue South. Bike lanes make cycling convenient for most of your ride, or you can stop along Naples’s white, sandy beaches for a dip. Gulf Shore eventually dead-ends into Mooring Line Drive, but you’ll find a bridge on the right that keeps you coasting. Make your way to the Venetian Village for an afternoon lunch and stop at any bridges to catch a breeze and enjoy some wildlife viewing.

Bird Rookery Swamp

Ride along 12-miles of biking and hiking trails at the Bird Rookery Swamp. For a challenge, continue onto a short-mile crushed shell path leading into a 1500-ft. boardwalk. You’ll empty into a relatively flat, sandy path that is more difficult to navigate but rewarding in wildlife and native plants. If you enjoy birding, bring along your binoculars to get a close-up view of songbirds in the cypress trees.

Indian Hill

Situated on Marco Island, Indian Hill features breathtaking views of Caxambas Bays and stunning homes, along with an Outer Mound Preserve. This 700-foot trail features a packed mulch surface surrounded by native plants and wildlife. Make a step to see the ancient Calusa Indian shell mound.

Shell Island Road 

Take Shell Island Road to explore the area or take it all the way to Rookery Bay to see wildlife and salt marshes. Stop along the way to collect some shells in the shallow waters.

Biking is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of Naples, Florida. Make the day of it and end at your favorite waterfront restaurant to enjoy sunset views over fresh seafood and cold drinks.

Written by: Susan Finch | Author Website

Susan Finch is a travel writer and content marketer for the tourism industry who spends her time obsessing over the latest travel trends, wrangling her small kids, and planning her family's next big adventure.