Admission fees for Wildlife Drive increase
On Oct. 1, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s Wildlife Drive admission fees changed as a result of feedback from prior public meetings and approval by the U.S. Department of Interior.
Daily vehicular admission fees increased from $5 to $10 and annual passes from $12 to $25. Entry fees for pedestrians and cyclists entering Wildlife Drive or Indigo Trail remain at $1 for ages 15 and older.
Admission to the Visitor & Education Center — closed now — and Bailey Tract trails are still free.
The cost of the Senior Pass, Access Pass and other federal passes remain the same and are available for purchase — plus annual refuge passes — at Tarpon Bay Explorers, at 900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel.
A fee change has not been implemented at the refuge since the 1990s.
Fees collected at the Wildlife Drive booth go directly to the refuge to enhance visitor-related services, including increased accessibility to refuge trails, facility maintenance and other accommodations.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.