BONITA SPRINGS AND ESTERO, FLORIDA
The planned 11.4-mile rail trail from North Naples to Estero: the map, the $60M land deal, the timeline to opening and where to ride today.
Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT), Southwest Florida: Route, Map, Timeline and Where to Ride Today
The Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT) is a planned 11.4-mile paved walking and biking path on an old railroad corridor from Wiggins Pass Road in North Naples to Estero Parkway in Estero, through downtown Bonita Springs. It is not open yet: the $60 million land purchase is expected to close in January 2027, and the tracks are still in place.
Updated November 2026 (facts as of November 4, 2026). By Jesse McGreevy, McGreevy and Comisar, Domain Realty Group, Bonita Springs.
This map draws the Phase 1 corridor from Wiggins Pass Road to Estero Parkway, colors each government's segment, and marks the landmarks Friends of BERT names along the route, plus the paths you can ride today and the neighborhoods we cover nearby. Tap a marker for details and links. Every fact on the map is also written out in plain text on this page, so nothing depends on the map loading.
Collier County segment, 1.5 miBonita Springs segment, 5.8 miEstero segment, 4.1 miNorth of Estero Parkway (future phase, to Alico Road)
Phase 1 (colored): funded, land purchase closing expected January 2027. Gray: future phase, not yet funded. Not open to the public yet.
| Place | Address | Why stop |
|---|---|---|
| Koreshan State Park | 3800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, FL 33928 | State park on the Estero River beside the corridor, with river and nature trails and a paddle launch. |
| Estero Community Park | 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero, FL 33928 | Community park directly east of the corridor, named in BERT plans as a nearby hub. |
| Everglades Wonder Gardens | 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Botanical garden and wildlife attraction directly east of the corridor; Friends of BERT notes plans to connect. |
| Riverside Park | 27300 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | City park between Old 41 and the tracks, with the bandshell and a launch for Imperial River paddling. |
| Imperial River Boat Ramp | Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Public boat ramp on the Imperial River about 1.5 miles west of the corridor, for paddlers and boaters. |
| Railhead Scrub Preserve | East end of Sun Century Rd off Old US 41, North Naples | Conservation Collier scrub preserve on the east side of the corridor; Collier County lists it as not open to the public at this time. |
| Place | Address | Why stop |
|---|---|---|
| Old 41 Restaurant | 25091 Bernwood Dr, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Local breakfast and lunch spot about 150 meters from the corridor at Bernwood Parkway. |
| Survey Cafe | 10530 Wilson St, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Downtown Bonita cafe about 200 meters from the corridor near Pennsylvania Avenue. |
| Rooftop at Riverside | 27333 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Two level food truck park across Old 41 from Riverside Park, a block from the corridor. |
| Sugarshack Downtown | 27421 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Live music restaurant across Old 41 from Riverside Park, close to the downtown crossings. |
| Ceremony Brewing | 10441 Packinghouse Ln, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Local brewery on Packinghouse Lane, a short walk from the Bonita Beach Road crossing. |
| Place | Address | Why stop |
|---|---|---|
| Trek Bicycle Store of Estero | 8001 Plaza Del Lago Dr, Suite 101, Estero, FL 33928 | Coconut Point bike shop that hosts the annual Ride for BERT fundraiser. |
| Engel's Bicycles | 27310 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Bike shop at Riverside Park in downtown Bonita Springs, a block from the corridor. |
| Place | Address | Why stop |
|---|---|---|
| Arts Bonita, Visual Arts Center | 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Arts Bonita's visual arts campus on Old 41, listed by Friends of BERT as a corridor landmark. |
| Bonita Springs Historical Society | Riverside Dr area, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Local history group whose collections cover the city's railroad and river era. |
| Shangri-La Springs | 27750 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Historic spring and hotel property on Old 41 near the south downtown crossings. |
| Arts Bonita, Performing Arts Center | 10150 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Arts Bonita's performing arts campus on Bonita Beach Road, east of the corridor. |
| Place | Address | Why stop |
|---|---|---|
| Estero River Outfitters | 20991 S Tamiami Trl, Estero, FL 33928 | Kayak and canoe outfitter on the Estero River near the rail bridge. |
| Coconut Point | 23106 Fashion Dr, Estero, FL 33928 | Open air shopping district that the corridor borders, named as a planned BERT hub. |
| Place | Address | Why stop |
|---|---|---|
| The Vines | Gated Estero community the rail line runs through, just north of the Phase 1 end at Estero Parkway; residents have raised route concerns. | |
| Belle Lago | Community within about a quarter mile of the rail line, just north of the Phase 1 end at Estero Parkway. | |
| Villages at Country Creek | Community within about a mile of the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| Estates at Estero River | Community within about half a mile of the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| Pelican Sound | Community within about a mile of the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| Meadows of Estero | Community within about a mile of the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| Rapallo | Community within about half a mile of the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| Fountain Lakes | Community within about a mile of the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| The Residences at Coconut Point | Community borders the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| Mirasol at Coconut Point | Community borders the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| Spring Run at The Brooks | Community within about a mile of the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| Pelican Landing | Community within about a mile of the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| Bonita Isles | Community within about half a mile of the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| Cedar Creek | Community within about half a mile of the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| Bonita Fairways | Community within about a mile of the corridor, measured from its mapped center to the rail line. | |
| Imperial Golf Estates | North Naples golf community next to the Phase 1 south end at Wiggins Pass Road. |
| Place | Address | Why stop |
|---|---|---|
| Estero Parkway (Phase 1 north end) | Estero Parkway, corridor crossing | Named by Friends of BERT as the northern end of Phase 1. |
| Broadway Avenue East | Broadway Avenue East, corridor crossing | Crossing in historic Estero; the village bike plan shows paths linking Broadway to the corridor. |
| Estero River rail bridge | Estero River, corridor bridge | The rail bridge over the Estero River beside Koreshan State Park, start of the Estero River paddling trail. |
| Corkscrew Road | Corkscrew Road, corridor crossing | Major Estero crossing near Koreshan State Park and Estero Community Park. |
| Via Coconut Point | Via Coconut Point, corridor crossing | Local road crossing at the north side of the Coconut Point district. |
| Williams Road | Williams Road, corridor crossing | Estero crossing between Estero Community Park and Coconut Point. |
| Coconut Road | Coconut Road, corridor crossing | Crossing at the south end of Coconut Point and The Brooks area. |
| Old 41 Road (north crossing) | Old 41 Road, corridor crossing | The corridor crosses Old 41 again here, where the road rejoins US 41 near the Bonita and Estero line. |
| Bernwood Parkway | Bernwood Parkway, corridor crossing | Crossing near Bonita Isles and Cedar Creek in north Bonita Springs. |
| Terry Street | Terry Street, corridor crossing | Crossing at the north edge of downtown Bonita Springs near Wonder Gardens and Arts Bonita. |
| Imperial River rail bridge | Imperial River, corridor bridge | The rail bridge over the Imperial River in downtown Bonita Springs, a river paddlers use from Riverside Park. |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | Pennsylvania Avenue, corridor crossing | Downtown Bonita Springs street crossing, steps from Riverside Park and the Old 41 restaurants. |
| Bonita Beach Road | Bonita Beach Road, corridor crossing | One of the busiest crossings on the corridor and a named cross street in BERT planning. |
| Old 41 Road (south crossing) | Old 41 Road, corridor crossing | The corridor crosses Old 41 just north of the Lee and Collier county line, a planned road crossing. |
| Wiggins Pass Road (Phase 1 south end) | Wiggins Pass Rd, North Naples | Named by Friends of BERT as the southern end of the 11.4 mile Phase 1, in Collier County. |
Corridor line drawn from public map data for orientation only. Exact trail alignment, crossings and trailheads will be set during design. Friends of BERT also publishes its own BERT interactive map and printable area trail maps.
BERT follows the inactive Seminole Gulf Railway corridor, a strip about 130 feet wide and roughly 180 acres in all, that runs roughly parallel to and east of US 41 between North Naples and Estero. Phase 1 begins at the eastern end of Wiggins Pass Road in Collier County, crosses the Lee County line into Bonita Springs, runs through downtown Bonita Springs, then heads north through Estero past Coconut Point and the Estero River to Estero Parkway (Friends of BERT, FAQ).
Older articles, and our own early coverage, describe a route of about 15 miles ending at Alico Road near San Carlos Park. That was the 2024 corridor. The February 2026 agreement cut it to 11.4 miles because Lee County did not commit money for the northern 3.5 miles, which are now on hold (Gulfshore Business, corridor agreement). If you are comparing homes or neighborhoods along the route, our best real estate agents in Bonita Springs and best real estate agents in Estero pages compare local teams on the public record.
No official crossing list for the whole route has been published, and mileage between crossings has not been released. The table below combines the Village of Estero list of roads affected by track removal with the waterways and landmarks named by Friends of BERT and WGCU. Order is approximate.
| Crossing or landmark | Type | Jurisdiction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estero Parkway | Village road | Estero | North end of Phase 1. North of here the corridor continues toward The Vines and Alico Road (on hold). |
| Broadway Avenue East | Village road | Estero | Historic Estero area; Estero Community Park lies directly east of the corridor. |
| Estero River | Waterway, rail bridge | Estero | Near Koreshan State Park; planned Eco-Historical hub. |
| Corkscrew Road | Lee County road | Estero | The one county road on the Estero list; a major crossing. |
| Williams Road | Village road | Estero | Near the planned Estero Village Center and sports hub. |
| Via Coconut Point | Village road | Estero | The corridor borders the Coconut Point shopping district. |
| Coconut Road | Village road | Estero | South edge of Coconut Point. |
| Spring Creek | Waterway | Estero and Bonita Springs | Drains to the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. |
| Imperial River | Waterway | Bonita Springs | Downtown Bonita Springs, beside Riverside Park. |
| Bonita Beach Road | Major road | Bonita Springs | A council member called a possible overpass here "incredibly expensive"; no design yet. |
| Oak Creek | Waterway | Bonita Springs area | Named by WGCU among the four waterways the corridor crosses. |
| Lee and Collier county line | Boundary | Both | Railhead Scrub Preserve lies along the corridor's west side in Collier. |
| Wiggins Pass Road (east end) | County road | Collier County | South end of Phase 1; planned link toward the Paradise Coast Trail network. |
Everything finished so far is paperwork and money: the price, the votes and the bond. Everything left is physical work. The list below is what has to happen, in order, before anyone rides the trail. It reflects reporting through October 29, 2026 (WGCU, Estero council vote; Friends of BERT, What's Next).
Done Next step Planned, no official date. Scroll sideways on a phone.
| Step | Status, November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Price and contract | Done. $60 million for 11.4 miles, February 2026. |
| Local approvals | Done. Estero March 4 and October 28, Collier March 10, Bonita Springs March 25, 2026. |
| Bonita Springs funding | Done. $35 million bond approved by voters August 18, 2026. |
| Due diligence | Done. Appraisals, survey and soil testing reported October 2026. |
| Closing | Expected January 2027. |
| Track removal | After closing; railroad has up to two years. |
| Design | Expected 18 to 24 months, by a tri-jurisdiction task force. |
| Construction | In phases; WGCU reported "at least two years away" in October 2026. |
Our estimate of about 2029 for a first open segment is our reading of these published steps, not a date any government has announced. Watch for two milestones: the January 2027 closing, and the hiring of a design team for each segment.
The Bonita Estero Rail Trail is really three projects under one name. Collier County, the City of Bonita Springs and the Village of Estero each buy, own, design and build their own piece, so the three segments may move at different speeds and could open at different times. Here is where each stands, south to north.
An advisory committee had recommended spending only $8.8 million, mostly on land next to the preserve, and Audubon Western Everglades urged the same; commissioners funded the full share (Gulfshore Business, environmental challenges). A half acre of corridor supports the Veterans Memorial Boulevard extension.
This is the longest and most urban segment, crossing the Imperial River and Bonita Beach Road. Mayor Mike Gibson told WINK that significant visible change is likely more than two years out (WINK News).
Estero's open space master plan puts three of four planned hubs on BERT: an Eco-Historical hub near the Estero River and Koreshan, a Village Center hub, and a mixed-use commercial hub near Coconut Point (Friends of BERT, area trail maps).
About 3.5 more miles of corridor run north from Estero Parkway to Alico Road, including roughly a mile through The Vines, a 440-home gated golf community whose residents raised security, golf ball and privacy concerns and asked that the trail end at Estero Parkway (WGCU, January 2023). This stretch was in the earlier deal valued at more than $80 million and is now unfunded.
Straight answer: there are no trailheads, parking lots, restrooms or official access points yet, and none have been designated (Friends of BERT, FAQ). They will be chosen during design. What has been published are concepts: safe crossings at major roads, direct links to schools, parks and hubs such as Coconut Point, pocket parks, shaded rest stops, hydration stations, native landscaping and possible evening lighting (What's Next).
These public places sit next to the corridor. They are existing destinations, not announced trailheads.
| Place beside the corridor | Area | Why it matters | Status today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estero Community Park | Estero, near Broadway | Directly east of the corridor with existing parking and fields | Open public park; no trail link yet |
| Koreshan State Park | Estero, Corkscrew Road at US 41 | On the Estero River near the rail bridge; planned Eco-Historical hub | Open state park, entry fee |
| Estero Village Center and sports hub | Estero, Williams Road area | Planned Village hub on the trail | In planning |
| Riverside Park | Downtown Bonita Springs, Old US 41 | Between Old 41 and the tracks on the Imperial River | Open city park |
| Arts Bonita and Wonder Gardens | Downtown Bonita Springs | East of the corridor; Wonder Gardens has stated plans to connect | Open |
| Railhead Scrub Preserve | North Naples, Collier | Trail would run along its west side | Conservation preserve |
The corridor runs through the centers of Estero and Bonita Springs, so the parks, rivers and downtown spots along it are worth visiting now. For more, see our guides to things to do in Bonita Springs and things to do in Estero.
Paddle the Imperial River from downtown Bonita Springs (Florida Rambler, Imperial River kayak trail), or the Estero River from Koreshan toward Estero Bay. Riverside Park is the downtown launch; our post on Riverside Park renovations covers what is changing.
Koreshan State Park preserves the settlement the Koreshan Unity built on the Estero River starting in 1894 (Estero Historical Society, Brief History of Estero). Read our Koreshan State Park guide.
Friends of BERT names the Rooftop at Riverside and the Downtown Bonita Sugar Shack among corridor-side spots in downtown Bonita Springs, and Coconut Point gathers dozens of restaurants at the Estero end. See our notes on what is coming to Coconut Point.
Wonder Gardens sits directly east of the corridor downtown; read about its new otter and alligator habitats. Estero Community Park has playgrounds and fields (playground update).
Arts Bonita, which has endorsed the trail, sits on the east side of the corridor downtown. Coconut Point anchors the shopping at the north. Downtown Bonita Springs has been changing fast; see our downtown Bonita Springs update.
Estero plans a Village sports park and Village Center near the corridor; our coverage of the Village sports park and the 32 acres that will decide downtown Estero explains how they fit with BERT.
Bonita Springs scores 19 and Estero 13 on Walk Score, both rated car-dependent, with Bike Scores of 45 and 41 (Walk Score). That gap is the reason BERT exists. Until it opens, these are the separated paths and park trails within a short drive.
| Path | Where | Length and surface | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Yarbrough Linear Park | Fort Myers, Six Mile Cypress Parkway to Colonial Boulevard | About 6 miles, paved, along the Ten Mile Canal | The closest true rail-side trail; parking along Daniels Parkway west of Metro Parkway. Reviewers mention wildlife, including snakes and alligators. |
| Gordon River Greenway | Naples, Golden Gate Parkway area | About 2 miles, paved with boardwalks | Winding and busy on weekend mornings; leisurely pace; restrooms and water reported. |
| Lovers Key State Park | Between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach | About 5 miles of multi-use trail | Bike rentals by the park concessionaire; park entry fee. |
| Estero River Scrub, Estero Bay Preserve State Park | Estero | Four trails, about 9 miles, unpaved | Off-road bikes allowed on the scrub trails, not the salt flats; trails can flood in the wet season. |
| Corkscrew Road shared-use path | Estero, east of I-75 | 10-foot asphalt path on the north side | Under construction per the Village of Estero. |
Koreshan State Park has walking trails, but bike access on its nature trails was not confirmed for this guide; check with the park before riding there.
The Bonita Estero Rail Trail matters beyond its own 11.4 miles because it fills a gap in a much longer planned trail network reaching Fort Myers, Naples and eventually the Tampa Bay area. No connection is built yet. Here is what is real today, what is funded, and what is still only a plan.
The Yarbrough trail reaches Alico Road by a shared-use path along Michael G. Rippe Parkway (Wikipedia). BERT Phase 1 stops at Estero Parkway, so a gap of about 3.5 miles remains until the northern segment is funded. A connected ride from Bonita Springs to Fort Myers is a goal, not a plan with a date.
The Naples Pathways Coalition lists a planned link from the rail trail to the Rich King Memorial Greenway as Connection 1 of its Paradise Coast Trail vision (Naples Pathways Coalition). FDOT District 1 is studying a 75.2-mile Paradise Coast Trail corridor as part of a Collier County feasibility study expected to finish around 2027 (FDOT 455291-1). No design for a link at Wiggins Pass Road has been published.
The Trust for Public Land describes BERT as a key segment of the Florida Gulf Coast Trail, a planned 400-plus-mile network from the Tampa Bay area to Naples (TPL). BERT is a priority segment in the Florida Greenways and Trails System plan and sits in the state's SUN Trail framework, which funds construction rather than land (FDOT SUN Trail).
The rails under BERT were laid by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, which extended its Fort Myers Southern Branch south in the 1920s with local investors including Barron Collier. Tracks reached Bonita Springs in June 1925, and regular passenger service began September 7, 1925 at a depot near the Imperial River. Passenger trains reached Naples on December 27, 1926 (Lakeland to Fort Myers Line).
A second railroad, the Seaboard Air Line, built its own separate line to Naples in 1926 and 1927; it went bankrupt in the land bust and was abandoned by 1952. BERT uses the surviving Atlantic Coast Line corridor, not the old Seaboard route. In Estero, the Koreshan Unity had settled on the Estero River in the 1890s, about three decades before the railroads came, and the Estero Historical Society notes the 1920s rail lines shifted travel from river to road and rail.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1894 | Koreshan Unity moves to Estero. |
| 1912 | The settlement called Survey is renamed Bonita Springs. |
| June 1925 | Atlantic Coast Line tracks reach Bonita Springs. |
| Sept 7, 1925 | Passenger service begins in Bonita Springs. |
| Dec 27, 1926 | Passenger service reaches Naples. |
| 1928 | Tamiami Trail completed. |
| 1971 | Intercity passenger service ends. |
| Nov 1987 | Seminole Gulf Railway begins operating the lines south of Arcadia; first train November 14. |
| c. 2008 | Alico Road to North Naples becomes inactive. |
| 2020 to 2021 | Appraisals of $70 million to more than $72 million; talks stall. |
| 2022 to 2027 | Friends of BERT, the feasibility study, the purchase agreements, the votes and the expected January 2027 closing: see the timeline above. |
No BERT rules exist yet, because the trail does not exist yet. Each owner will set its own rules for hours, e-bikes, dogs and other uses. What already applies is state law and common sense for a sunny, open corridor.
Florida Statute 316.20655 treats an e-bike as a bicycle: riders have bicycle rights and duties and may use bicycle and multi-use paths, but local governments may restrict or prohibit e-bikes on paths and trails and may set a minimum age (316.20655). Next door, a December 2025 Charlotte County agenda item addressed prohibiting e-bikes on county park trails, which shows how much local choice matters.
Under Florida Statute 316.2065, riders and passengers under 16 must wear a fitted, fastened helmet, and that applies to e-bikes. Riding after dark requires a white front light visible from 500 feet and a red rear reflector or light visible from 600 feet (316.2065).
Southwest Florida's rainy season runs roughly mid-May to mid-October, with sunny mornings and storms most likely in the afternoon (NWS Tampa Bay). Full sun can add up to 15 degrees to the heat index (NWS heat index). An open rail corridor has little shelter, so plan summer rides early and head in when you hear thunder. November through April is the comfortable season. The corridor crosses four creeks and rivers, so expect alligators and snakes near water; never feed wildlife.
Lee County parks require dogs to be leashed with waste picked up. On shared paths in Florida State Parks, cyclists yield to other users and everyone keeps right except to pass. Expect BERT's owners to adopt similar rules, but check posted signs once it opens.
Friends of BERT is the all-volunteer 501(c)(3) that built public support for the trail. Founded in September 2022, it counted about 4,500 members by August 2026 and lists endorsements from 31 HOA boards representing more than 25,500 homes (Friends of BERT). It does not buy land or make funding decisions; it organizes, informs and fundraises.
Here is what research says about trails and home values, the honest downsides, and the neighborhoods near the corridor. Start with our Bonita Springs guide and Estero guide, or compare areas in best neighborhoods in Bonita Springs and best neighborhoods in Estero.
| Study | Finding | Caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Monon Trail, Indianapolis (Lindsey et al., 2004) | Homes within half a mile sold for about 11 percent more | Homes near less popular trails showed no premium (Headwaters Economics) |
| New Castle County, Delaware (2006) | Homes within 50 meters of bike paths sold for about 4 percent more | Did not fully control for paths being in pricier areas (Headwaters Economics) |
| Pinellas Trail, Pinellas County | County says trailside values rose faster than countywide values | County FAQ summary, not a peer-reviewed study (Pinellas County) |
| Ludlam Trail, Miami-Dade (2011 projection) | 3 to 7 percent premium projected within half a mile over 25 years | Projection, not a measured sale result (Miami-Dade) |
| Review of about 20 studies (Crompton, NRPA 2020) | Most trail premiums fall around 5 to 10 percent | Evidence for trails alone is mixed; greenbelts score better (NRPA) |
| NAR Community Preference Survey (2023) | 79 percent rate walkability as important; 78 percent of them would pay more for it | Stated preference, not sales data (NAR) |
| Friends of BERT projection (2023) | 7 to 20 percent higher values within one mile | Advocacy projection; underlying studies not named |
Our read: well-used trails tend to help nearby values modestly, and the benefit usually goes to homes a short walk away rather than homes whose backyards face the path. No study measures BERT itself, and it will not exist for years. Nobody should pay a premium today for a trail that is not yet designed.
Distances are approximate and vary by street, so check a specific address against the map. Communities marked "endorsed" are on the Friends of BERT list of HOA boards that support the trail; endorsement does not mean the community touches the corridor.
| Area | Communities (our guides) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| North Estero, Corkscrew Road to Estero Parkway | Wildcat Run (endorsed), Villagio at Estero, Bella Terra (endorsed), Villages at Country Creek (endorsed), Fountain Lakes (endorsed), Belle Lago (endorsed) | Near the north end of Phase 1 and Estero Community Park. |
| Coconut Point, Estero | Mirasol at Coconut Point, The Residences at Coconut Point, Coconut Landing, Tidewater (endorsed) | The corridor borders the Coconut Point shopping district. |
| The Brooks, Estero and Bonita line | The Brooks, Copperleaf (endorsed), Lighthouse Bay (endorsed), Spring Run (endorsed), Shadow Wood, Estero Place | Friends of BERT holds its board meetings at The Brooks. |
| North Bonita Springs, west of US 41 | Pelican Landing (endorsed), Pelican Sound (endorsed), West Bay Club (endorsed), Bonita Bay (endorsed) | Larger communities; parts sit about a mile or more from the corridor. |
| Downtown Bonita Springs, Imperial River | Riverside Avenue, Caloosa Yacht and Racquet Club, Bonita Village, Midtown at Bonita, Cedar Creek (endorsed) | The most walkable stretch, near Riverside Park; see our Midtown walkable living story. |
| East and south Bonita Springs | Bonita Fairways (endorsed), Bermuda Park (endorsed), Rapallo (endorsed), Valencia Bonita (endorsed), VillageWalk of Bonita Springs (endorsed), Hunters Ridge Villas (endorsed), Toscana at Vasari (endorsed), Bonita Springs Golf and Country Club | Around Bonita Beach Road and Old 41; distances vary widely. |
Getting around matters as much as the trail itself; our getting around Bonita Springs and getting around Estero guides cover roads, traffic and today's bike routes. For the bigger picture on daily life, read living in Bonita Springs and living in Estero.
Seeing the corridor helps, because today it is still an overgrown rail line with tracks in place. Friends of BERT, the volunteer group behind the trail, produced this short video on what the Bonita Estero Rail Trail could mean for Bonita Springs, Estero and North Naples. More of their videos are on the Friends of BERT YouTube channel.
Video by Friends of BERT, embedded from YouTube. When the tracks come out, we plan to add our own corridor footage to this section.
These are answers to the questions people search most about the Bonita Estero Rail Trail, from opening dates and costs to e-bikes, dogs, home values and the Boulder name mix-up. Every answer is current as of November 4, 2026 and matches the sources listed below. Tap a question to open it.
The Bonita Estero Rail Trail, known as BERT, is a planned paved multi-use path on an inactive railroad corridor in Southwest Florida. Phase 1 covers 11.4 miles from Wiggins Pass Road in Collier County north to Estero Parkway in Estero, passing through downtown Bonita Springs and along Coconut Point.
No. As of November 4, 2026 no part of BERT can be walked or ridden. The railroad tracks are still in place, the land purchase has not closed, and design has not started. The corridor is railroad property, so do not walk the tracks.
There is no official opening date. The land purchase is expected to close in January 2027. The railroad then has up to two years to remove the tracks, design is expected to take 18 to 24 months, and construction is expected in phases. Our estimate is that the first open segment is unlikely before about 2029.
Phase 1 is 11.4 miles: 1.5 miles in Collier County, 5.8 miles in Bonita Springs and 4.1 miles in Estero. Older articles quote about 14.9 or 15 miles because they included the stretch north of Estero Parkway to Alico Road, which is on hold.
Phase 1 runs from the eastern end of Wiggins Pass Road in North Naples (Collier County) north to Estero Parkway in the Village of Estero (Lee County). The full historic corridor continues north to Alico Road, but that segment is not part of the current deal.
Seminole Gulf Railway, a family-owned Fort Myers railroad, is the seller under the current agreement. The Trust for Public Land is buying the 11.4 miles and will transfer each segment to Collier County, the City of Bonita Springs and the Village of Estero at closing.
The negotiated price is $60 million for the land only, not construction. Bonita Springs pays about $28.6 million, Estero $19.8 million and Collier County $11.6 million. The price fell about $10 million from the earlier agreement of roughly $70 million.
Each government will own its segment and lead its own design, funding and construction. Named sources include local funds, Bonita Springs bond proceeds left after the land purchase, state and federal grants and the state SUN Trail program. No SUN Trail construction award for BERT has been published, and the total construction cost is not yet determined.
On August 18, 2026 Bonita Springs voters approved a general obligation bond of up to $35 million for land acquisition and construction, with about 68 percent voting yes (8,968 to 4,175) on 21 percent turnout. The bond is repaid through property taxes over up to 30 years.
City financial advisor PFM estimated about $49 to $88 per year depending on home value, and WGCU later reported $45 to $88. The city's own illustration put an average home of about $441,137 at roughly $4.75 per month. Your actual cost depends on your taxable value and when bonds are issued.
Lee County government did not pledge funds to the scaled-back deal, and reporting in 2025 and 2026 confirmed no county money. That is the main reason the stretch from Estero Parkway north to Alico Road was dropped from Phase 1 and put on hold.
Yes. The Estero Village Council approved its purchase agreement on March 4, 2026 and voted unanimously on October 28, 2026, one day before its withdrawal deadline, to proceed with its 4.1 miles, about 66.7 acres, for $19.8 million.
Consultants took 181 soil samples at 60 locations. In Estero, arsenic appeared at all 23 locations with 36 samples above residential cleanup levels, some of it natural, and hydrocarbons such as creosote and gasoline exceeded industrial levels at 19 locations. The consultant called this similar to other rail-to-trail corridors; the paved trail can serve as a cap.
Under the agreement Seminole Gulf Railway is responsible for removing the rails and ties and has up to two years after closing to do it. Design is expected to run during that window so construction can follow.
Friends of BERT describes a paved multi-use greenway. A Collier County Clerk summary says about 12 feet wide for walking, biking and commuting. The corridor itself is about 130 feet wide and about 180 acres. Final widths and surfaces will be set in design.
None have been designated yet. Published concepts mention pocket parks, shaded rest stops, hydration stations and links to hubs such as Coconut Point, the Estero Village Center and downtown Bonita Springs. Trailhead locations will come out of the design phase.
No BERT rule exists yet because the trail is not built. Under Florida Statute 316.20655, e-bikes may ride where bicycles are allowed, including multi-use paths, but local governments may restrict them on paths and trails. Bonita Springs, Estero and Collier County will each set rules for their segment.
Dog rules have not been set. Most Southwest Florida public parks and paths allow leashed dogs, and Lee County park rules require a leash and waste pickup, but the BERT owners will decide for their own segments.
Possible evening lighting appears in Friends of BERT design concepts, but no lighting plan or hours exist yet. Earlier discussions near The Vines floated dawn-to-dusk hours as a mitigation option.
Yes. The corridor runs through downtown Bonita Springs beside Riverside Park and near the Imperial River, Arts Bonita and Wonder Gardens, which is why the downtown is often described as a natural hub for the future trail.
The corridor borders Coconut Point in Estero and crosses the Estero River near Koreshan State Park. The Village of Estero open space plan places three of its four planned hubs on BERT.
Not in Phase 1. Yarbrough Linear Park reaches Alico Road by a path along Michael G. Rippe Parkway, but BERT Phase 1 stops at Estero Parkway, about 3.5 miles south. Closing that gap depends on the on-hold northern segment.
That is the plan, not a built link. The Naples Pathways Coalition lists a planned connection from the rail trail to the Rich King Memorial Greenway, and FDOT is studying a 75.2-mile Paradise Coast Trail corridor in Collier County through about 2027.
Not in Phase 1. The roughly one mile of corridor through The Vines golf community lies north of Estero Parkway, in the on-hold segment. Residents there raised security, golf ball and privacy concerns and proposed ending the trail at Estero Parkway.
Some are seeking it. In August 2026, 17 adjoining owners filed a federal takings claim, Sage Naples, LLC v. United States, in the Court of Federal Claims. It is a claim against the federal government tied to rail banking, not against the local governments.
Rail banking, under the National Trails System Act, lets an inactive rail corridor be used as a trail while preserving it for possible future rail service. Officials call a return to rail unlikely for BERT.
The evidence from existing trails does not show a consistent crime increase. A Rails-to-Trails Conservancy survey of 372 trails found major crime reported on about 3 percent, and Pinellas County reports fewer reported incidents along the Pinellas Trail. Design choices like sightlines and lighting matter.
No one can promise that. Studies of well-used trails found premiums of roughly 4 percent (Delaware, within 50 meters) to 11 percent (Indianapolis Monon Trail, within half a mile), while some trails showed no effect. The 7 to 20 percent figure published by advocates is a projection, not a measured result.
Communities near the corridor include Wildcat Run, Bella Terra and Tidewater near the north end in Estero, Mirasol and The Residences at Coconut Point, The Brooks communities, Pelican Landing, downtown Bonita Springs streets along the Imperial River, Bonita Fairways and Cedar Creek. Distances vary by home.
Friends of BERT lists 31 homeowner association boards representing more than 25,500 homes, including Pelican Landing, Pelican Sound, Bonita Bay, Copperleaf, Spring Run, Wildcat Run, Cedar Creek and Valencia Bonita. An endorsement does not mean a community sits on the corridor.
No. The Boulder to Erie Regional Trail in Colorado also uses the name BERT. This guide covers the Bonita Estero Rail Trail in Lee and Collier counties, Southwest Florida.
Friends of BERT is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) citizen group founded in September 2022 with about 4,500 members as of August 2026. It advocates for the trail but does not negotiate the land purchase or make government funding decisions.
Join, volunteer or donate through Friends of BERT at bonitaesterorailtrail.com, attend its monthly board meetings, and ride in the annual Ride for BERT. The group also lists business sponsorship tiers.
The RunSignup listing shows the 2026 Ride for BERT on Sunday, November 15, 2026, starting at Trek Bike Shop of Estero, 8001 Plaza del Lago Drive. The 2025 ride drew a record 450 cyclists. Confirm details on the registration page.
While BERT is built, riders use the John Yarbrough Linear Park in Fort Myers, the Gordon River Greenway in Naples, the multi-use trails at Lovers Key State Park and the Estero River Scrub trails in Estero Bay Preserve State Park, where off-road bikes are allowed on the scrub trails.
Primary records, official pages and reporting used for this guide. Where sources disagree, we used the most recent official figure and noted the difference in the text.
McGreevy and Comisar is a Bonita Springs and Estero real estate team with Domain Realty Group. Jesse McGreevy and Marc Comisar bring over 45 years of combined direct experience, over $900 million in personal sales, and recognition among the Top 1% Real Estate Agents Nationally Since 2008. We follow the Bonita Estero Rail Trail because it runs past the neighborhoods we cover every day. Meet the team.
If you are buying, treat BERT as a long-term amenity, not a reason to stretch: ask whether a home backs onto the corridor, what the HOA plans for fencing or access, and whether any takings claim involves the lot. If you are selling within a short walk of a likely access point, the trail is fair to mention with the honest timeline. Start with a free home valuation, read about selling in Bonita Springs or Estero, browse buying guides for Bonita Springs and Estero, or send us a note.
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