W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area

Book this listing through our partner Recreation Gov

About W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area

Overview

WP Franklin South Recreation Area is a day use area located on the Caloosahatchee River adjacent to the WP Franklin Lock and Dam. Visitors can watch boats traversing the 152 mile Okeechobee Waterway that spans South Florida from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, enjoy the exhibits at the visitor center or just relax with a picnic lunch.

Recreation

Boating, canoeing and kayaking on the Caloosahatchee River are popular activities. Anglers can try their luck with catching both freshwater and saltwater fish.

Facilities

This day use area has a visitor center, boat ramp, volleyball and horseshoe courts, a playground and several covered picnic sites. Flush toilets and drinking water are also available. There are two group picnic shelters available for reservation. Each shelter has water and electricity, six picnic tables, a large charcoal BBQ grill and can accommodate up to 50 people.

Nearby Attractions

Lee County Manatee Park is six miles west on Palm Beach Blvd. Hickeys Creek Mitigation Park is two miles east on Palm Beach Boulevard, Gulf of Mexico beaches and the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge are 30 miles to the west.

+ More

W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area Reviews

Have you stayed here? Be the first to leave a review!

Top Spots in or near Alva

Kayak the Estero River at Koreshan State Park

Estero, Florida

5.0

Go to the Koreshan State Park. The fee is $5 per car + $4 to access the boat ramp. (If you don't have your own, you can rent kayaks and canoes from the park or from Estero River Tackle & Canoe Outfitters). Go to the boat ramp. Here you have two options:A. You can go left (west) towards Estero BayB. You you can go right, (east), up riverI recommend option B. Why? The river widens as you hea...

Hike the Florida Scrub Nature Trail at Archbold Research Station

Venus, Florida

2 mi

The Archbold Research station has plenty to see as they have a visitor center with exhibits, but the main attraction for me is the great nature trail that takes you through a very unique habitat called Florida Scrub. In this habitat you find a diverse amount of wildlife that is only found in these areas of Florida, and you will also find that the trail is white sand because it located in what i...

Catch a Sunset at the Naples Pier

Naples, Florida

5.0

If you're like me then you probably spend a fair amount of time chasing the setting sun around. I visited Naples Florida this past spring and was treated to these stunning sunsets 8 out of the 10 days there. The Gulf gives us east coasters the delight of watching the sun dip out over a large body of water which is quite a treat.There are a lot of great beach spots in Naples to take in the golde...

Deep Hole Trail

Sarasota, Florida

4.4 mi / 0 ft gain

Tucked in the Myakka Wilderness, along the Myakka River, is Deep Hole. After hiking through expansive Florida dry prairie and hammocks of ancient trees draped with spanish moss, you come to a large sinkhole, 200 ft across and 130 ft deep. During the dry season it is home to hundreds of american alligators. To begin this hike, you must first check in at the ranger station to obtain a permit. D...

Hike the Ancient Hammock Trail

Sebring, Florida

5.0

0.6 mi

Highlands Hammock State Park is one of the best places in all of Florida! There are multiple trails to choose from, but if you want to see ancient oak trees in a quintessential swamp then the Ancient Hammock Trail is your best bet. The boardwalk meanders through the swampy forest and you can be on the look out for herons, birds, frogs, and other wildlife. The trail is short but can be combined...

Hike Big Cypress National Preserve Loop

Ochopee, Florida

16 mi / 0 ft gain

First, you'll arrive at the Collier County Rest Area (26.1674944,-81.0806947) off of the Everglades Parkway. You can either park in front of the rest area, or on the paved area directly north of it near the trailhead. Walk through the pedestrian gate and make your way toward the Florida National Scenic Trail kiosk. Please sign in (and out on your way back with any pertinent information about wh...

More Adventures