What Will You Do at the Mini Zoo?

On the eastern end of pristine Sanibel Island lies Periwinkle Park and Campground, a quaint and quiet campground and RV park.

Sanibel Island is home to some of the most remote, sprawling and beautiful wildlife parks near Fort Myers Beach such as the vast J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge and stunning beaches.

It’s all made accessible and fun when staying at Periwinkle Park and Campground, just 25 minutes from Fort Myers Beach.

Visit the Mini Zoo on Sanibel Island || TriPower Vacation Rentals in Fort Myers Beach

Periwinkle Park and Campground

Periwinkle Park is a hidden gem. It boasts quiet campsites immersed in tropical woods, just a 10-minute walk from the remote white-sand beaches of Sanibel Island. This is one of the most family-friendly Sanibel Island parks in the area.

Periwinkle is also located just minutes away from the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve, which is home to “Wildlife Drive,” a must-take bike path to see Florida’s stunning flora and fauna. Ding Darling is best visited at low tide, which draws hungry animals closer to the shore.

Periwinkle Park even features its own unique wildlife attractions to enjoy for visitors and campers. So, grab a Periwinkle Park map from the helpful campground staff, and explore the park’s 35 acres of nature.

The Campground

The Periwinkle campground is perfect for families with kids of all ages. It has private, tranquil campsites, and tons of amenities.

It has sites available for tents, pop-up campers, trailers, and motorhomes. It has hookups for RVs, bathrooms and showers, laundry service, picnic tables, and a pavilion for events and get-togethers. Both ice and gas tank refills are available daily, to ensure all your cooking needs.

Florida is a popular place to fish, and attractions many fishers year-round. Periwinkle Campground has a fish cleaning station set up for easy meal prep on-site.

Surrounding the campground are many trees, a pond with ducks and swans, and a creek that trickles through the woods. There is an adjacent playground for kids to enjoy during downtime while camping.

The Periwinkle Park Mini-Zoo

One of the best attractions near Fort Myers Beach right there on the campground: Periwinkle Park’s mini-zoo.

The zoo is home to a number of birds, both native and exotic. Toucans, macaws, and parrots strut about in their enclosure, flying from post to post in a flurry of color. The zoo also houses some brown and ring-tailed lemurs.

One of the area’s most popular attractions in the Periwinkle Park bird show. The show is put on by a snowbird (pun intended) from Canada who has been taking care of the birds for 25 years while visiting Florida in the winter.

The shows take place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, and are a great opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with these tropical birds, as well as learn a little about them.

Nearby attractions

Periwinkle Park is a great central location to explore the island and participate in its many activities. Here are a few that are worth checking out:

For water adventures, check out the nearby Sanibel Marina offering fishing charters, as well as boat docking for those who have their own.

Tarpon Bay Explorers is a great local company that offers nature tours and rentals. Kayak the waters of the Ding Darling Wildlife Reserve, which borders the campground, or rent a stand-up paddleboard or fishing equipment to spend a lazy day on the river. Guided nature tours include breakfast and evening cruises, as well as a low tide kayak tour to spot the most marine life.

For those who prefer to stay dry, Finnimore’s Cycle Shop on Periwinkle Way offers bike rentals so you can explore the island at your own pace. They also offer rentals for the beach, including chairs, umbrellas, and more.

Billy’s Rentals, also on Periwinkle Way, offers bike and scooter rentals, as well as Segway tours. With these rentals, you can explore the many Sanibel Island parks, bike paths, and trails. The main bike path begins right outside the Periwinkle Park and Campground gate for convenient access to the rest of the island.

For a rainy afternoon activity, try the Shell Museum, which promotes education and information on shells and mollusks. For a bit of history, check out the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, a restored compound with a garden, home, and store to give visitors a taste of life on the island before the causeway was built.

Be sure to check out our vacation home rentals in and around Fort Myers Beach.