W.p. Franklin South Recreation Area

About

W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area is a day-use facility operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, located on the south bank of the Caloosahatchee River adjacent to the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam. Situated about 10 miles east of Fort Myers, the area provides access to the 152-mile Okeechobee Waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. The recreation area features a boat ramp for river access (though the courtesy dock is currently closed for repairs), flush toilets, drinking water, a visitor center with exhibits, playground, and volleyball and horseshoe courts. Two group picnic shelters with water, electricity, charcoal grills, and picnic tables are available for reservation, currently limited to 25 people maximum. This is strictly a day-use facility with no overnight camping permitted. The area opens at sunrise and closes at sunset daily. For overnight camping, the nearby W.P. Franklin North campground on the opposite bank offers RV and tent sites.

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 recreation area.