W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area
W.P. FRANKLIN SOUTH RECREATION AREA
Part of Lake Okeechobee
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.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.Recreation
Boating, canoeing and kayaking on the Caloosahatchee River are popular activities. Anglers can try their luck with catching both freshwater and saltwater fish.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.Important Notices
At this time the courtesy dock at the boat ramp is closed for repair. The boat ramp remains open.
- Group Shelters are for day use only, no camping allowed
At this time the group shelters are limited to a maximum of 25 people and are ideal for birthday parties, club meetings, small weddings, etc.
- Vehicles must be parked in designated spaces. Once these are filled, contact a Park Ranger for directions to the overflow parking area.
- W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam Tours are available. Please contact the park staff prior to arrival to schedule a tour.
- Alcohol is not allowed in the recreation area.
- Bounce houses, water slides and other similar items are not allowed in the recreation area.
- The Recreation Area opens at Sunrise and closes at Sunset.
Vehicles to include golf carts, ATV's, mini bikes or any other such equipment must be properly licensed and registered to be driven in the park.
Available Activities
- Visitor Center - Visitor Center
- Fishing - Fishing
- Boating - Boating
- Canoeing - Canoeing
- Day Use Area - Day Use Area
- Kayaking - Kayaking
- Picnicking - Picnicking
Directions
From Interstate 75, take Exit 141 (Palm Beach Blvd.) east for 7 miles to Old Olga Road. Make a left on Old Olga Road and proceed 0.3 miles to Franklin Lock Road. Make a right on Franklin Lock Road into the WP Franklin South Recreation Area.
Contact Information
Phone: 239-694-2582
1660 S FRANKLIN LOCK ROADALVA, FL 33920
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site GS02, Loop W.P. FRANKLIN SOUTH RECREATION AREA, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site GS01, Loop W.P. FRANKLIN SOUTH RECREATION AREA, Type Group Shelter Electric
