Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
State park in Florida, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is a Florida state park located on a barrier island on Florida's southwest coast near Naples, Florida, 6 miles west of I-75 in North Naples. The Cocohatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico are accessible from the park, which contains a hard-bottom reef.
| Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | Collier County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | Naples, Florida |
| Coordinates | 26°16′52″N 81°49′41″W |
| Established | 1976 |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Park |
History
The early record of this area begins in the late 1800s with Joe Wiggins, for whom the park is named. He ran a trading post where he traded goods with settlers. Decades later, in 1964, Collier County acquired the land through the help of Lester J. and Dellora A. Norris. This is where the name Delnor comes from; the first three letters of Dellora and the first three letters of Norris. In 1970, the state of Florida purchased the land from Collier County for a state park, which opened in 1976.[1]
Fauna
Among the wildlife of the park are bald eagles, ospreys, owls, loggerhead sea turtles, West Indian manatees, and migratory shorebirds. The endangered gopher tortoise can also be found there. It is the only tortoise found east of the Mississippi River.[citation needed]
Recreational activities
Activities include fishing, sunbathing, swimming, paddleboarding, boating, geocaching, hiking, and nature viewing. Visitors can also scuba dive, snorkel, kayak, and picnic. A fishing license is required to fish at the park in some areas. Weddings can also be held there.[2]
Amenities
Notable Changes
The pass gets dredged out nearly every other year from sediment buildup.
Hours and fees
Florida state parks are open between dawn and sundown every day of the year (including holidays). Admission is $6 per vehicle, and $5 to use the boat ramp, in addition to the admission fee.[3]