The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a must for all ages visiting the Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Although the rangers at JN Darling refuse to call the refuge a park, due to their mission to protect the wildlife, there are plenty of things to do at the wildlife refuge. Here’s a few tips about the refuge and how to get the most out of your visit.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge makes up of over 6,400 acres of Sanibel Island. First stop: The visitor center will educate you on the wildlife within the area as well as provide information about the park’s namesake, cartoonist Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling. The visitor and education center is free to everyone and is open between 7am and 7pm except for Friday, but varies depending on the time of the year. The refuge is closed on Fridays year round to let the wildlife rest. Click here to see current opening times. Inside Tip: Plan to visit at low tide, which, as the ocean recedes, brings feeding animals closer to the four-mile, paved wildlife drive that runs through the refuge, making them easier to observe. Call 239-472-1100, ext. 2, for tide times. However, Winter months are better for seeing large populations of birds.
Things to do while visiting the Sanibel Refuge
After visiting the education center you will be ready to start exploring the area. You can choose to walk, bike, or drive the paved four-mile wildlife drive. Along the way, stop at the panels with QR codes to hear ranger-narrated videos about flora and fauna. Click here to download the ap.
How much does it cost?
The visitors center is free for everyone to educate themselves on the refuge and the man behind it all. The refuge costs $5 per vehicle; $1 per pedestrian or bicyclist. There are three trails you can walk off the wildlife drive, such as the Indigo Trail and the Wildlife Education Boardwalk (four miles round-trip). The boardwalk features educational panels for tracking wildlife such as raccoons, marsh rabbits, otters and bobcats and bird watch with over 245 species of birds that come through the pristine mangrove estuary each year. Get out on the water in a kayak or canoe with Tarpon Bay Explorers, the refuge’s official concessionaire. Inside Tip:The best bird activity is from January through April because of migratory populations wintering at the refuge. Many people also come to see American alligators year-round, as well as the dolphins and Florida manatees that can be observed during the summer months.
