Experiences
Bicycling
Enjoy over five miles of multi-use trails including the Black Island Trail and the Eagle Trail through the maritime hammock. Trail maps are available showing many interesting places and observation points along the trail.
With plenty of areas to stop and enjoy the view, you might spot manatees or dolphins in the inner waterways. Watch an osprey take flight and catch a nice fish for lunch or a bald eagle soar above. Find the freshwater pond where the alligators live in the park.
- Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.
- Bring your own bicycle to explore on your own.
- Rentals are temporarily unavailable.
Fishing
Trout, redfish, snook and tarpon are caught seasonally. Cast netting for mullet in the bay is popular.
- All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.
- A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website Fishing in Florida.
Geo-Seeking
Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult.
The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land-use ethics should be followed.
Hiking
The Black Island Trail is 2.5 miles of hiking or biking adventure through a maritime hammock along the canal banks of Black Island.
The Eagle Trail is 1.1 miles of hiking or biking adventure through a maritime hammock along the inner waterways of Black Island.
Both trails are comprised of mostly grass and compacted soil with pockets of sand and occasional mud. There are more than seven miles of trails in the park, including the beach and the paved path along the main park drive.
Paddling
See manatees, dolphins, alligators, osprey and bald eagles while you paddle through the 2.5-mile mangrove protected estuary.
- Rental information: 239-765-7788
Wildlife Viewing
Lovers Key offers one of the best birding areas in Southwest Florida.
The park is home to many active osprey nests. Roseate spoonbills, snowy egrets, the American kestrel and other species are often observed feeding in the bays, estuaries and maritime hammocks.
With over 40 varieties of birds recorded, 17 of which are on the designated species list, Lovers Key is a birder's paradise.
The park is also home to other wildlife such as gopher tortoises, American alligators, bottlenose dolphins and West Indian manatees.
Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Lovers Key State Park is committed to providing a variety of amenities accessible to all of our visitors. These amenities include:
- Trams to the beach.
- Elevated boardwalks to the beach.
- Beach wheelchairs are available for free. Inquire at the ranger station.
- Trail wheelchairs are available for free. Good for use on trails or the beach. Inquire at the ranger station.
- Parking.
- Temporary restrooms.
Service animals are welcome in all areas of Florida State Parks.
Beach
Lovers Key is a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful beach along the shore of the Gulf of America. It was selected as the No. 4 beach in Florida by the Travel Channel.
A courtesy tram is available to within 800 feet of the south beach.
A beautiful walk over two bridges takes you to the mid-portion of the beach, which is left natural with no facilities.
We suggest you explore all three areas of the beach and discover their unique attributes.
Boat Ramp
The boat ramp at Lovers Key State Park is open and under ongoing repairs to replace docks and repair restrooms. Boat trailer parking is limited at this time.
A boat ramp offers direct access to Estero Bay and the Gulf of America. The bait shop on site sells live and frozen bait and is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year. T-shirts, souvenirs, snacks, ice cold drinks and ice cream are also available.
If you don’t have your own boat, kayaks and canoes are available for rent all day from the bait shop.
- Bait shop: 239-463-5990
Concession and Restaurant
Lovers Key Adventures/Nature Recreation Management is the concessionaire for Lovers Key State Park. They provide kayak, canoe and bike rentals, beach chair and umbrella rentals and a small gift store.
Ferry Services are provided by Captain Joey D. Charters.
Parking
Lovers Key State Park usually has enough room for you and your family to park and enjoy the park for the day. During busy weekends or holidays, parking tends to fill to capacity, but just come back an hour or two later and you can usually find a spot. Parking is covered with park admission, but overnight parking is not permitted.
Visitor Center
Set on the banks of an inland waterway, the Welcome and Discovery Center pays homage to its beautiful backdrop with columns designed to model mangrove roots and glass walls that open to large observation decks. It is the perfect setting for listening to music, attending a lecture or to just enjoy the natural beauty of Lovers Key State Park. The facility features a large exhibit hall designed to bring the entire park and its treasures to life. The 2,100-square-foot exhibit hall offers a variety of exhibits that explore our dynamic barrier islands with their diversity of habitats, wildlife and plants. Admission free with paid entry to the park.
