John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail... Southwest Florida

6-Mile Bike Trail Along Canal in Fort Myers

Following the "10 Mile Canal" for 6 miles in Fort Myers, FL, this is a popular neighborhood trail for both walkers and cyclists. We biked from south (6 Mile Cypress Pkwy.) to north (Colonial Blvd.). Although the trail runs through a busy area and along a railroad track, it's buffered by the canal and vegetation. The shorter southern section has some shade, the northern section not much. A trailhead is located at the south end at 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy. Additional parking is at Daniels Pkwy., on the north or south side of the road - to cross over, bike west along the roadway to the crossing at Big Pine Way (a trail bridge is the next step). there are other less busy road crossings, and some benches and shelters along the way. At trail endpoints, wide sidewalks continue beside the roadways - signs point to other nearby locations. Other activities along the trail include fishing and wildlife viewing (alligators, turtles, birds). (Map link and photos below.)

Map link - John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail

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Location: Lee County
Mileage: 6 miles
Surface: Paved
Nearby points of interest: Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter home sites, Sanibel Island

Bike Shops/Rentals:
Fort Myers Cyclery (sales, service)
Trek Bicycle Store (rentals, sales, service)

Page Summary:

Biking on John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail
- 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy. to Daniels Pkwy.
- Daniels Pkwy. to Colonial Blvd.
More Information and Resources

Biking on John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail... Comments and Photos

6 Mile Cypress Pkwy. to Daniels Pkwy.

This is a pleasant section buffered from the surrounding neighborhoods, businesses and railroad track. No road crossings. From trail end along 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy, follow the wide sidewalks 1.4 miles west to Lakes Park (Railroad Museum of South Florida), or 1.1 miles east to the Minnesota Twins Stadium.

The recently completed trailhead at 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy., has paved parking, restrooms, picnic pavilions, bike repair station.

John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail, Ft Myers FL

Trail starts at 6 Mile Pkwy

Northbound

Crossing the canal

Trail along the canal

Approaching Daniels Pkwy

Trailhead on South side of Daniels

Along Daniels to crosswalk

Daniels Pkwy. to Colonial Blvd.

The parking areas on the north and south sides of Daniels Pkwy. are unpaved, no facilities. This section starts as a quiet buffered trail, but opens up - after crossing Crystal Drive and crossing a bridge over the canal, it becomes more commercial. Several road crossings and no stop lights, so be careful of the traffic. Approaching the north end, the trail passes Page Airfield across the canal, and runs next to a Seminole Gulf Railway rail yard. Along Colonial Blvd., directional signs point east to the River District (4 miles) and Calusa Nature Center (3.3 miles).