Lovers Key State Park, located in southwest Florida near Fort Myers, is a hidden gem known for its secluded beaches, tranquil waterways, and abundant wildlife.

A favorite escape among locals and tourists alike, Lovers Key offers visitors with the opportunity to experience paradise away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Lovers Key State Park offers a range of activities from kayaking and paddle boarding to bird watching and hiking trails.

What to Do at Lovers Key State Park

There are plenty of activities to keep visitors busy at Lovers Key State Park. Guests can go swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, and shelling.

Swimming: The Gulf of Mexico waters off the beach at Lovers Key State Park are beautiful and inviting. Visitors can take a dip in the refreshing water or just wade along the shoreline.

Sunbathing: The sand is soft and white, and the sun is always shining in Florida! Guests can relax on the beach and work on their tan.

Fishing: Anglers can cast a line from the beach or from a boat in search of fish such as redfish, snapper, and grouper.

Kayaking: Explore the mangrove forests and backwaters of Lovers Key State Park by kayak. Paddlers can rent kayaks at the park or bring their own.

Hiking: Take a leisurely hike around the park’s trails and explore the park’s beautiful scenery. There are plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife, birds, and native plants.

Shelling: The beaches at Lovers Key State Park are known for their abundant shells. Visitors can hunt for shells or simply enjoy collecting them as they stroll along the shoreline.

Photographing: During your trip, you can witness wonderful landscapes. And for photography lovers, every place allows you to take beautiful shots. In the southern part of the island, be sure to see the dried up tree trunks, or some of them stranded, that add drama to the beaches.

Lovers Key Welcome and Discovery Center

The Lovers Key Welcome and Discovery Center is a beautiful starter destination located on the grounds of Lovers Key State Park in southwest Florida. The center offers a variety of activities for visitors to explore and learn about the region’s biodiversity.

Inside, guests will find interactive displays on local wildlife and habitats; educational programs such as guided nature walks; and hands-on activities such as touch tanks with live marine creatures.

The mangrove exhibit is particularly good. There are displays showing what their roots look like. It can be of interest to children as well as adults.

Hotels near Lovers Key State Park

If you’re looking for a place to stay near Lovers Key State Park, we’ve got you covered. Below is a list of hotels near the park, sorted by proximity.

Pointe Estero Resort

Pointe Estero Resort is a luxury beachfront resort located on Fort Myers Beach. The resort offers an outdoor swimming pool and a range of amenities including a hot tub, fitness center and free Wi-Fi.

Thanks to its convenient location, guests have easy access to local attractions such as Lovers Key State Park and Mound Key Archaeological State Park.

Edison Beach House

Edison Beach House offers an unforgettable oceanfront experience. Located on Fort Myers Beach, this luxurious property boasts stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico from both inside and outside your door.

From spacious living areas to private balconies and decks, you’ll find plenty of room for relaxation in your beachfront home away from home.

Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina

Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina is a tropical paradise for your next getaway. Located on the white sand beaches of Fort Myers, this full-service resort offers something for everyone from luxurious accommodations to exciting water sports and activities.

Relax and unwind in spacious guest rooms with private balconies, or take advantage of various amenities including outdoor pools, an onsite marina, restaurants, beachside bar and grill, fitness center and spa services. The park is 18 minutes away.

Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa

Situated on the beautiful Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida, Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa is a relaxing waterfront destination.

With its lush tropical landscape and stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico, visitors can enjoy breathtaking sunsets from their private balconies or from the resort’s infinity pool.

The resort also offers a variety of on-site amenities like luxurious spa treatments, fine dining options and an array of fitness facilities including tennis courts, basketball courts and a fitness center. The park is 30 minutes away.

You can check other hotels in the area here. There are many more hotels with options such as oceanfront, in town, with pool etc.

Camping at Lovers Key State Park

There are no tent or RV campgrounds in the park, but if you want to camp in the surrounding area, you can check out the campgrounds in Fort Myers, about 40 minutes away, or Estero, 20 minutes away.

Lover’s Key State Park Beach

You can swim at Lovers Key State Park! The park has two miles of pristine beach front that are perfect for swimming in the Gulf of Mexico.

Swimming is allowed anywhere in the shallow water. Visitors should be aware of rip currents, strong undertows and jellyfish before entering the water and be sure to follow posted signs regarding lifeguard services.

Are dogs allowed in Lovers Key State Park?

Yes, dogs are allowed in Lovers Key State Park. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times and are not allowed on the beaches.

However, there is an area of the park that allows for off-leash activities called Bonita Beach Dog Park which provides ample space to take your pup off their leash and let them run around with other four-legged friends.

It’s also important to note that visitors should clean up after their pets while enjoying the park.

Lovers Key State Park Entrance Fee

This is one of the most popular parks in Florida, and for good reason! The park offers visitors a chance to experience the unique beauty of the Florida Keys.

The park entrance fee is $8 per vehicle. Annual passes are also available for purchase. If you plan on visiting the park more than once in a year, an annual pass is a great deal.

Lovers Key State Park’s opening hours are from 8:00 am until sunset. The park is open 365 days a year. This is a hurricane-prone area and there may be some hurricane damage, so it’s worth checking ahead of time.

Where is Lovers Key State Park?

Lovers Key State Park is located along Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast, just south of Fort Myers Beach.

Lovers Key State Park is a beautiful natural preserve located between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs, Florida.

• To get to the park from Fort Myers Beach, take Estero Boulevard south for about 6 miles until it turns into Black Island Road. Follow this road until you reach the entrance of Lovers Key State Park on your left-hand side.
• From Bonita Springs, take US 41 northbound and make a right onto Summerlin Road. Continue traveling east on Summerlin Rd for 5 miles and turn right onto Black Island Road; follow this road for about 2 miles until you reach the entrance of Lovers Key State Park on your right-hand side.

Conclusion

Lovers Key State Park is a stunning stretch of Florida coast that offers something for everyone. From kayaking, paddle-boarding and beachcombing to birdwatching, shelling and swimming with manatees, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy this picturesque park.