Lover's Key State Park
May 24, 2018 at 2:32 p.m.
White Sand Beaches and More!
Lovers Key State Park isn’t just for lovers although you may see a wedding while you are there. It’s a coastal park that all ages will enjoy with a wide variety of activities. Lovers Key received its name during the time when it was accessible only by boat and the story goes that only lovers traveled to the island to enjoy its remote and solitary beach. Now linked to the mainland by road, four barrier islands make up the 1,616 acre state park. Besides Lovers Key, there is Black Island, Inner Key and Long Key.
Enjoy over two miles of white sand beaches that rival Sanibel’s for shelling, swimming and sunbathing, but with fewer people. The beach is accessible by boardwalk or a courtesy tram from the south parking lot. Black Island features over five miles of multiuse trails for hiking, jogging and bicycling through the natural habitat. You can rent a bicycle, canoe, kayak, paddleboard, beach chair and umbrella from the park’s concession stand. Kayak tours are also available. A bait shop is on site for anglers. For reservations and rentals, call 239•765•7788. Boaters can launch from the park’s boat ramp for cruising or fishing. There are picnic pavilions as well as playgrounds for kids tired of the beach.
The park includes tidal lagoons and canals and remains an unspoiled area for many types of birds and wildlife. You might see West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, bald eagles, American kestrels, warblers, snowy egrets, ospreys and many other coastal birds. It’s definitely a place for wildlife lovers!
The park is open from 8am until sundown, 365 days a year. The entrance fee varies between $2 and $8 depending on the mode of transportation and number of occupants. No pets are allowed on the beach to avoid disturbing the wildlife. The park is located in Lee County on County Road 865 via San Carlos Blvd from Fort Myers or Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. Physical street address is 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach. Park phone is 239•463•4588.