Florida / Lee County

W.p. Franklin South Recreation Area

Open — Open daily for day use from sunrise to sunset. No overnight camping permitted. Group shelters are reservable online and limited to 25 people maximum.

About

W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area is a day use facility operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the south bank of the Caloosahatchee River, adjacent to the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam. The recreation area provides access to the 152-mile Okeechobee Waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico across South Florida. Visitors can watch boats navigate through the lock system, explore exhibits at the visitor center, or relax at one of the covered picnic areas. The facility offers a boat ramp for accessing the Caloosahatchee River, making it popular with anglers, kayakers, and boaters. Both freshwater and saltwater fish can be caught in these waters. Two reservable group picnic shelters are available, each equipped with electricity, water, picnic tables, and large charcoal grills, accommodating up to 25 people. Additional amenities include volleyball and horseshoe courts, a playground, flush toilets, and drinking water. The recreation area is strictly for day use only, with no overnight camping permitted. The park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset daily. Located about 10 miles east of Fort Myers, the area is close to Lee County Manatee Park and provides a convenient stop for those exploring Southwest Florida's waterways and natural attractions.

Directions

From Interstate 75, take Exit 141 (Palm Beach Blvd.) east for 7 miles to Old Olga Road. Turn left on Old Olga Road and proceed 0.3 miles to Franklin Lock Road. Turn right on Franklin Lock Road into the W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area.

Nearby Campgrounds