Sanibel Island is a barrier island off Florida’s Gulf Coast near Fort Myers, connected to the mainland by the Sanibel Causeway. The island is famous for its world-class shelling beaches, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and a deliberately low-key development style — over 67 percent of the island’s land is protected. There is only one campground on the island itself (Periwinkle Park), and no other RV parks exist on Sanibel or neighboring Captiva Island. Mainland RV parks in the Fort Myers area, just across the causeway, serve as the primary base for RV travelers exploring the islands.
Hurricane Ian Recovery — What to Know
Hurricane Ian struck Sanibel Island as a Category 4 storm on September 28, 2022, causing catastrophic damage. The Sanibel Causeway was destroyed, the island was largely inaccessible for months, and many businesses, homes, and landmarks suffered severe damage. Two additional hurricanes in 2024 (Helene and Milton) further slowed recovery. As of early 2026, Sanibel has made substantial progress: the causeway has been rebuilt and is fully operational, all beaches and beach parking lots have reopened, Periwinkle Park is accepting camping reservations, and the majority of restaurants and shops have reopened or rebuilt. However, some construction continues across the island, and not all businesses have returned. Check current conditions before planning your trip — the recovery is ongoing but the island is very much open to visitors.
The Only Campground on Sanibel: Periwinkle Park
Periwinkle Park and Campground · 1119 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957 · (239) 472-1433 · sanibelcamping.com
Periwinkle Park is the only campground on Sanibel Island — and by extension, the only RV park. It has been operated by the Muench family for nearly 60 years. The park offers full-hookup RV sites (electric, water, sewer), tent sites, and long-term mobile home residences. Amenities include a bathhouse with showers, laundry facilities, picnic tables, grills, LP gas, and a pavilion. The park also serves as an exotic bird refuge with rescued tropical birds (and some lemurs) in a central area.
The campground is approximately half a mile from the Gulf beaches — an easy bike ride or a moderate walk. It is within biking distance of restaurants, shops, and Jerry’s grocery store. Sanibel’s 22-mile network of bicycle paths makes cycling the primary mode of getting around the island.
Important policies: No dogs or mopeds allowed. Cash or check only (they have recently begun accepting credit cards — verify when booking). Sites are in high demand — book well in advance, especially for winter season (December through April). Current rates are approximately $67 per night (verify when reserving). You must call or email to confirm availability before submitting a reservation. The park sustained damage from Hurricane Ian but has been restored with new concrete pads and rebuilt facilities.
Mainland RV Parks Near Sanibel
Since Periwinkle Park is the only option on the island and is frequently booked, most RV travelers base themselves on the mainland in the Fort Myers area and drive across the Sanibel Causeway for day trips. The causeway toll is approximately $6 (verify current pricing). The drive from Fort Myers Beach or south Fort Myers to Sanibel takes 20-40 minutes depending on traffic — causeway traffic can be heavy during peak season, especially on weekends.
Gulf Waters RV Resort
Fort Myers area · gulfwatersrvresort.com
Gulf Waters RV Resort is the closest full-service RV park to Sanibel on the mainland. The 33-acre property has over 315 RV sites with 20/30/50-amp power and full hookups. Amenities include a heated swimming pool, spa, on-site restaurant and tiki bar, tennis courts, clubhouse, laundry facilities, dog walk area, free WiFi, and multiple lakes with fountains. Big-rig friendly. This is the most practical mainland base for daily Sanibel trips — the island is a short drive across the causeway.
Fort Myers / Pine Island KOA Holiday
5120 Stringfellow Rd, St. James City, FL 33956
Located on Pine Island, south of Fort Myers, this KOA campground offers RV sites, tent sites, and cabin rentals with the reliability and amenities of the KOA brand — pool, camp store, organized activities, and clean facilities. Pine Island has its own low-key, old-Florida character and provides an alternative island base with access to both Sanibel (via the mainland) and the Pine Island Sound kayaking areas.
Red Coconut RV Park
3001 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 · redcoconut.com
A beachfront RV park directly on Fort Myers Beach — one of the few RV parks in Florida with direct Gulf beach access. Sites are in extremely high demand and book far in advance (often a year or more for peak season). Full hookups, on-site laundry, and a location that lets you walk to the beach and Fort Myers Beach restaurants and shops. Fort Myers Beach was also heavily impacted by Hurricane Ian — verify current status and availability.
Koreshan State Park
3800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, FL 33928
A Florida State Park campground about 20 miles south of Fort Myers, offering 60 full-hookup sites in a natural setting along the Estero River. The park preserves the site of the Koreshan Unity settlement (a 19th-century utopian community) and offers nature trails, river kayaking, and historic buildings. State park campground rates are significantly lower than private RV resorts. Reservable through ReserveAmerica.
Things to Do on Sanibel Island
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
The 6,354-acre J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is the crown jewel of Sanibel and one of the premier birdwatching destinations in the United States. Named for Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling — a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist who served as chief of the Bureau of Biological Survey and was a pioneering conservationist — the refuge protects mangrove forests, salt marshes, and tropical hardwood hammocks. Over 220 bird species, 50 reptile species, and 32 mammal species have been recorded here. The 4-mile Wildlife Drive is the best way to experience the refuge — open daily except Fridays, from sunrise to sunset. You can drive, bike, or walk the route. Entry is approximately $5 per vehicle, $1 per cyclist/pedestrian (verify current fees). Guided tram tours are available through Tarpon Bay Explorers. Hiking trails include the 2-mile Indigo Trail (from the visitor center), the Wulfert Keys Trail (to Pine Island Sound), and the Shell Mound Trail. Dogs are allowed on Wildlife Drive, Indigo Trail, and the Bailey Tract on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Shelling
Sanibel’s east-west orientation (unlike most barrier islands, which run north-south) acts as a natural scoop that catches shells washing in from the Gulf of Mexico. This makes Sanibel one of the best shelling beaches in the Western Hemisphere. The characteristic posture of shell collectors bent at the waist scanning the tide line is known locally as the “Sanibel Stoop.” The best shelling is at low tide, especially after storms. Bowman’s Beach, Blind Pass Beach, and Lighthouse Beach are among the top spots. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum (3075 Sanibel-Captiva Rd) is the only museum in the country dedicated to shells and mollusks, with exhibits, a marine aquarium, and daily guided beach walks with museum scientists.
Sanibel Lighthouse and Lighthouse Beach Park
The Sanibel Lighthouse, first lit on August 20, 1884, stands approximately 98 feet tall at the eastern tip of the island. The lighthouse is still operational. Lighthouse Beach Park wraps around the island’s tip and is one of the best spots for both shelling and sunset/sunrise watching. The area was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian but has been restored with beach renourishment (400,000 tons of sand) and 32,000 new dune plants.
SCCF Nature Center and Preserves
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation manages nearly 1,300 acres on Sanibel and Captiva, with preserves including Periwinkle Preserve, Bob Wigley Preserve, Sanibel Gardens, and Bailey Homestead Preserve. They offer a 4-mile nature walk, educational programs, guided beach walks, boat tours, wading expeditions, and kayak tours. Note: dogs are not permitted on SCCF nature trails due to wildlife protection.
Practical Tips for RV Visitors
Sanibel is a small island with narrow roads and limited parking. RVs can cross the causeway but maneuvering and parking a large rig on the island is difficult — most RV travelers park their rig at the mainland campground and drive a tow vehicle or bike onto the island. Beach parking lots charge approximately $5 per hour (no overnight parking). The island has a 35 mph speed limit and a strong bicycle culture — bringing bikes is highly recommended. The island’s commercial center is along Periwinkle Way.
Peak season is December through April, when snowbirds and winter visitors fill campgrounds and the island. Summer is hot, humid, and quieter, with afternoon thunderstorms and the possibility of tropical weather June through November. Spring (March–April) brings the best weather and shelling conditions. For more on exploring Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sanibel pairs well with visits to Siesta Key, Florida’s waterfall destinations, and the kayaking routes of the broader region, while the Everglades are about 2.5 hours south for a dramatically different Florida experience.
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