Once a collection of secluded barrier islands reachable only by boat, Lovers Key has become a romantic destination for spectacular beachside weddings.
Previously destined to become the site of luxury condominiums, the land that is now Lovers Key State Park was donated to the people of Florida so that its beaches and mangrove forests can be preserved for all to enjoy.
Hop in a kayak or lounge under an umbrella on the shore. Explore serene canals and lagoons that are favorite grazing spots for manatee and shorebirds. You may see the calm turquoise waters broken by a dolphin’s dorsal fin or by the strike of an osprey’s talons.
Lovers Key isn’t just a name either — the park is a popular romantic destination and frequently hosts picturesque gulf-side weddings.
Hours
The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.
Fees
Admission
- $8 per vehicle (2 to 8 people per vehicle).
- $4 single-occupant vehicle and motorcycles.
- $2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
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 or rent one from Lovers Key Adventures, explore on your own or check out our events page to see when the next guided bicycle tour is scheduled.
- Rental information: 239-765-7788
Boating
A boat ramp offers direct access to Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The on-site bait shop 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.
IKayaks and canoes are available for rent all day from the bait shop.
- Bait shop: 239-463-5990
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.
Shark fishing from the beach at Lovers Key State Park
- With 1.2 million visitors using the beach for recreation including swimming, we no longer permit shark fishing during daylight hours from the beach. You are welcome to use your after-hours permit to fish for sharks from one hour after sunset to sunrise.
- No person shall use chumming or blood baiting for sharks on the beach or within 1,000 feet of the beach.
- All FWC rules apply regarding the catch and release of sharks.
- 62d-20.14(1) Shark fishing is prohibited from sunrise to one hour after sunset from the beach.
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.
Including the beach and the paved path along the main park drive, there are over 7 miles of trails in the park.
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
Picnicking
Several picnic areas are set throughout the park. On the beach, the inner waterways or the backwaters of Estero Bay, you will be able to find the right spot to enjoy a picnic. Many of the picnic areas are equipped with grills and trash receptacles.
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
Hammocks are permitted in designated areas. These areas are the canoe/kayak launch picnic area, Bayside Park and the picnic area at the north entrance. Hammocks can be attached only to seagrape trees measuring 12 inches at breast height (DBH) using two-inch straps to secure the hammock to the trees.
Shelling
Lovers Key is a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful beach along the Gulf of Mexico. This beach offers some of the best shelling opportunities on the Lee County coast.
- Live shelling and the collection of sea stars is prohibited.
Swimming
Swimming is a popular activity in the gulf. The park boasts 2.5 miles of excellent beachfront.
- Please remember there are no lifeguards on duty. Swim at your own risk.
Tours
The park staff as well as Lovers Key Adventures & Events offer a full array of programs and tours that are sure to entice the adventurous side of you. Join park naturalists as you discover the many interesting aspects of this nature lover’s paradise.
For more information on ranger-led programs, view our events page or call the ranger station at 239-463-4588. If you need a kayak or bicycle for a ranger-led tour, you can receive a 25% discount to rent for that tour from Lovers Key Adventures & Events.
You also can find additional tour information and pricing from Lovers Key Adventures & Events at 239-765-7788. Lovers Key Adventures offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard tours every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance and a minimum of three people for tour.
- Receive a 10% discount if you like Lovers Key Adventures & Events on Facebook and check in at the gift shop.
Weddings
Lovers Key Adventure & Events is the official wedding and event planning service for Lovers Key State Park. They can put together a perfect package for any event from a gala wedding for hundreds of guests to an intimate affair for just the closest family and friends.
There are many areas within this beautiful park and beach to pledge your love or just bring your friends together for a party. Lovers Key Adventures & Events has everything you need for a great event, so don’t worry about anything except having a great time.
The gazebo on South Beach and the brand-new picnic shelters provided by Lovers Key Adventures & Events are available for rent any day except holidays.
- Book your special day: 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.
- Lovers Key Adventures offers food and equipment rentals.
- Picnic facilities with tables and grills.
- Parking.
- 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 Mexico. It was selected as the No. 4 beach in Florida by the Travel Channel.
A courtesy tram is available to the south beach where a gazebo, restroom and picnic area are located.
A beautiful walk over two bridges takes you to the mid-portion of the beach, which is left natural with no facilities. The north beach is accessible through the north honor gate at Big Carlos Pass.
We suggest you explore all three areas of the beach and discover their unique attributes.
Boat Ramp
A boat ramp offers direct access to Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. 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
Canoe Kayak Launch
The boat ramp can be used to launch canoes and kayaks.
Concession and Restaurant
Lovers Key Adventures/Nature Recreation Management is the concessionaire for Lovers Key State Park. They provide kayak, canoe and bike rentals as well as a bait shop. Food, beverages and delicious ice cream are also available.
Lovers Key Adventures & Events have been the concessionaire at Lovers Key State Park for several years. They offer canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboards, pedal boats and bicycles for rent and guided tours. Visit the gift shop in parking lot 1 for a T-shirt or souvenir and an ice cream.
If you’re hungry, Hurricane Charley’s restaurant on the south beach offers hamburgers, hot dogs and other beach style foods.
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.
Picnic Pavilion
A pavilion at the south beach is available to rent for weddings, reunions, company picnics and parties. The pavilion holds 80 people and has eight picnic tables.
Lovers Key Adventure & Events is the official wedding and event planning service for Lovers Key State Park. They can put together a perfect package for any event from a gala wedding for hundreds of guests to an intimate affair for just the closest family and friends.
There are many areas within this beautiful park and beach to pledge your love or just bring your friends together for a party. Lovers Key Adventures & Events has everything you need for a great event, so don’t worry about anything except having a great time.
The gazebo on South Beach and the brand-new picnic shelters provided by Lovers Key Adventures & Events are available for rent any day except holidays.
- Book your special day: 239-765-7788
Recycling
There are recycling containers in all common use areas for glass, aluminum and plastic.
Restroom Facilities
The day-use area contains three restrooms. The restrooms at Parking Lot #1 and South Beach have outdoor showers for rinsing off sand and saltwater.
Shower Station
Shower stations are available for a freshwater rinse after a day at the beach.
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.
History of Lover’s Key State Park
In the early 1900s the islands were accessible only by boat. It was said that only lovers made the effort to get to this romantic island, thus the name Lovers Key. A road to the island was built in 1965.
Local legend hints that Black Island got its name from Black Augustus, a pirate who had been captured by authorities, and later escaped, making this island his home for the remainder of his life. Fish camps were located on Black Island from the early 1900s until the late 1950s.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the four barrier islands were slated for development. Preparations for development damaged the islands. Mangrove swamps were altered to uplands by dredging a canal through Black Island.
In 1983, the state acquired the islands and in 1996 merged them with adjacent Carl E. Johnson County Park to become Lovers Key Carl E. Johnson State Park.
