Park Information
One of the most popular seaside destinations in Naples, the 1.2 mile-long stretch of white sand at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park has been rated one of the best beaches in the nation.
When you visit the 166 acre park, you can enjoy kayaking in the bay, paddleboarding in the Gulf, birding, shelling, walking on the beach, snorkeling, or just taking a nap on the sand. At the northern section of the beach along Wiggins Pass, fishing is a popular activity. Additionally, boaters can launch their vessels into Water Turkey Bay from the park’s boat ramp and travel to the Gulf or up the Cocohatchee River for both saltwater and freshwater fishing.
We hope you will come spend the day with us.
HISTORY
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park was established, in part, thanks to the generosity of Dellora and Lester Norris. Dellora and Lester financially facilitated transfer of park land to Collier County, which then sold the property to the state in 1970.
To honor the Norris’s role in establishment of the park, the area was named “Del” from Dellora and “Nor” from Norris (Lester’s nickname) combined with an acknowledgement of Wiggins Pass, the park border to the north, thus the name: Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park (DWPSP).
OUR PARK; THEN AND NOW
DWPSP covers approximately 166 acres fronted on the west side by over one mile of beach. The park currently consists of four parking areas, a marina/boat launch with boat/trailer parking, and an administrative/shop area directly east of parking area two. Beach areas were previously populated with bath houses, a gazebo, boardwalks, and picnic tables and grills. In 2021, Hurricane Ian blew in and washed away all buildings, electricity, sewer service, and vegetation. Tropical Storm Debbie and Hurricanes Helene, and Milton battered the park further in 2024, pushing back reconstruction and reestablishment of infrastructure and amenities. In the future, park construction will emphasize reestablishment of natural areas with walking paths to encourage visitors to enjoy the “Real Florida” on their beach visits. Because of vegetation loss, grills and picnic tables will not return to the park.
In 2025, electricity and sewer service were reestablished in the administrative area. Currently, all parking lots are open to visitors, and in December, lots as well as main park roads received a new asphalt coating to make travel through the park less bone-jarring! Annual Florida State Park passes are currently being sold in parking area 1 several mornings each week. Amenities available for use while at the park include Porta Johns, children’s life vests, bike racks, and RePlay bins (toys for use while at the beach) in each parking area. We also currently have two manual beach wheelchairs and an electric wheelchair available (visit the park office for information and access). “Mobility mats” are present in all four lots to facilitate walking and wheelchair access to the beach.
FUTURE
Plans are currently being made and preliminary work being conducted to “beautify” the park entrance with plantings and shell landscaping. Our sea turtle replica, “Lunetta” has been beautifully restored and will be displayed prominently at the park entrance. The area surrounding the former ranger station will be planted with native species and receive a landscape update.
An “under construction” mobile interpretation trailer should arrive in the park by May. This unit will serve as a contact space to interact with park staff and to learn more about our Citizen Support Organization, The Friends of Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park (FDWPSP).