You don’t have to believe the stories of rogues, rascals, pirates, captive damsels and hidden treasure chests to enjoy the magic of southwest Florida’s Lover’s Key. Squeezed between the popular island vacation destination of Fort Myers Beach and the quiet upscale beach community of Bonita Beach, it’s a nature preserve in an unlikely place, with a colorful and embellished history.
If you’re not paying attention, you’ll drive right by Lover’s Key State Park without noticing the sign that marks its entrance. But an increasing number of folks are discovering the park and stopping by for a closer look, especially since the park was featured in a Travel Channel special on Florida’s Best Beaches.
This 700+ acre park comprises four interconnected barrier islands with two miles of white sand beaches (Lover’s Key), miles of nature trails (Black Island), and a maze of intricate backwater canoe and kayak trails through the mangroves.
Launch your boat at the boat ramp on the bay side of the park, or launch a canoe or kayak and glide quietly among the mangroves within the park where you may spot manatees, rays, and numerous long-legged, long-necked wading birds. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the concession in the park.
Here are some other ideas for fun in the park:
- Have your wedding ceremony or family reunion at the gazebo right on the beach.
- Bring your fishing gear (and your saltwater fishing license) and go after snook, trout, redfish, and even tarpon.
- Bring your binoculars and enjoy a day of birding.
- Go shelling and match what you find to the collection on display in the park.
- Take a hike on your own or take a ranger-guided nature walk.
- Go for a bike ride on 5 miles of bike trails (bike rentals are available).
- Bring a picnic basket, a cooler and a good book and just relax on the beach and go for a swim in the calm waters. Bring the whole family.
It’s a good walk to the beach from the parking lot where the concession is located, so a tram is provided to help you make the trip on the unpaved trail and boardwalks. Once out on the beach it’s not difficult to find a quiet and scenic spot. Here’s a tip: if quiet is important to you (listen up you romantic types), plan your visit on a weekday when there are fewer people in the park. Weekends bring a flurry of visitors. Fall is often the quietest time.
Restrooms are provided out on the beach, but take a small cooler with drinks and snacks or stop at the concession before you make the trip out to the beach.
Getting to Lover’s Key State Park – from Interstate 75, the quickest route to Lover’s Key begins at exit #116 at Bonita Springs. Drive west on Bonita Beach Rd, which becomes Hickory Boulevard as it parallels Bonita beach before turning toward the mangrove islands that make up Lover’s Key State Park. The park’s address is 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL.
If you’re coming from from Fort Myers Beach, the Lover’s Key is just over the bridge at the south end of Estero Island.
Visit the Lover’s Key Carl E. Johnson State Park web site for more details and a park brochure.
About the author: David McRee is the author of Florida Beaches: Finding Your Paradise on the Lower Gulf Coast, a guide to the beaches of southwest Florida, and served for 2 years as the beach and surf “expert” for VISIT FLORIDA. You can find David on the web at BeachHunter.net and BlogTheBeach.com.
Tags: BeachHunter, Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, Canoe Trails Southwest Florida, Florida State Parks, Florida Travel, Lovers Key State Park, VISIT FLORIDA