bears paw

Bear's Paw is a private, gated golf and country club community encompassing approximately 245 acres in Central Naples. Established around an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, Bear's Paw holds a special place in Naples golf history as the first Jack Nicklaus Signature course on Florida's west coast. The community combines mature tropical landscaping, freshwater lakes, golf-course views and frontage along the Gordon River, creating an established setting that feels remarkably secluded considering its central Naples location.

Residences include condominiums, villas and a limited collection of single-family homes, providing several different ownership and maintenance options within the community. Many properties overlook the golf course, lakes or landscaped areas, while homes along the Gordon River add a waterfront dimension that is unusual for a Naples golf community. Because Bear's Paw has been established for decades, residences vary considerably in age, architecture, renovations and hurricane protection, making the individual property an important part of the buying decision.

The lifestyle extends well beyond golf. Bear's Paw combines its Jack Nicklaus course with a private country club, dining, fitness, tennis, pickleball, bocce and direct access to the Gordon River for boating, kayaking and fishing. At the same time, its location places residents close to Naples Zoo, Freedom Park, the Gordon River Greenway, Downtown Naples, Fifth Avenue South and Gulf beaches. The combination of golf, boating and a central Naples location is what makes Bear's Paw particularly distinctive.

Why People Like the Bear's Paw Community

• Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf: Bear's Paw is home to the first Jack Nicklaus Signature course on Florida's west coast, giving the community an important place in Southwest Florida golf history.

• Golf and Boating in One Community: Direct Gordon River access adds boating, kayaking and fishing to a lifestyle more commonly centered solely around golf.

• Low-Density Setting: Approximately 245 acres of lakes, fairways, waterways and mature landscaping create a spacious environment close to the heart of Naples.

• Different Residential Choices: Condominiums, villas and single-family homes provide options in property type, size and maintenance structure.

• Limited Golf Membership: The club intentionally limits membership, helping support access to the golf course and practice facilities.

• Personal Golf Carts: Members can own and use their own golf carts throughout the community and on the golf course, adding to the neighborhood's traditional private-club atmosphere.

• Central Naples Location: Downtown Naples, beaches, parks, shopping, dining and major roads are all readily accessible from Bear's Paw.

What You Need to Know About Living in Bear's Paw

• Membership Is an Important Part of the Purchase: Buyers should investigate the membership requirements associated with the specific property, along with current initiation fees, dues, privileges and transfer requirements directly with Bear's Paw Country Club.

• Property Types Have Different Association Structures: Condominium, villa and single-family ownership can involve different fees, maintenance responsibilities, insurance obligations and governing documents. These should be evaluated for the specific residence.

• Homes Vary Significantly: Bear's Paw is an established community, so buyers will encounter everything from more original residences to extensively renovated properties. Interior condition, windows and doors, mechanical systems, hurricane protection and other improvements should be compared individually.

• Not Every Property Has the Same View: Golf-course, lake, river and landscaped settings provide very different residential experiences throughout the community.

• Marina Space Is Limited: The club's marina has a limited number of slips. Buyers for whom boating is a priority should verify current slip availability, vessel limitations, fees and applicable club procedures rather than assuming dockage is automatically available with a residence.

• Association and Club Rules Apply: Buyers should review the applicable residential governing documents as well as current country club policies to understand the complete ownership experience.