W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area
W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
Electric
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
Electric
Get DirectionsW.P. Franklin South Recreation Area
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
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ProviderWhat Campers Say
1.96
Mixed Reviews
Based on 55 reviews
415 Google reviews
Most mentioned
viewscleanrestroomswater
"Reviewers consistently praise W.P. Franklin South as a clean, well‑maintained, scenic park ideal for family gatherings, picnics and fishing. Many highlight the pavilions, boat ramp and friendly staff, and several visitors enjoy watching the lock operations and using the park for celebrations like baby showers and birthdays."
About W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area
Nestled along the historic Caloosahatchee River, WP Franklin South Recreation Area invites day-trippers to experience the working heart of Florida's inland waterway system. Watch boats navigate the impressive WP Franklin Lock and Dam while you enjoy waterfront picnicking, launch your kayak from the convenient boat ramp, or cast a line into the river's productive waters. With a welcoming visitor center, shaded picnic spots, and two group shelters available for reservation, this riverside retreat offers front-row seats to one of Florida's most fascinating engineering marvels.
WP Franklin South Recreation Area is a day-use park with covered picnic sites and two reservable group picnic shelters; the facility is described for day recreation and picnicking rather than overnight camping.
Natural Features and SceneryThe park's prime location along the Caloosahatchee River provides a captivating window into Florida's aquatic highway, where the 152-mile Okeechobee Waterway connects the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. From the shoreline, visitors can watch an endless parade of sailboats, fishing vessels, and cruisers as they make their way through the historic lock system, all framed by the river's tranquil waters and lush Florida vegetation. Beyond the park's boundaries, the adventure continues with nearby manatee sanctuaries where these gentle giants gather in warmer months, while the pristine beaches of the Gulf coast beckon just a scenic drive away, making this location an ideal base for exploring Southwest Florida's diverse natural treasures.
Geological RegionCaloosahatchee River
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Campsite details
Sites SizeDay-use area; covered picnic sites; reservable group picnic shelters; boat ramp (day-use amenities include playground, volleyball and horseshoe courts).
Total Campsitesnull campsites
Best Campsites
Curated by campers, for campers
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Reserving a campsite
Guests Allowed Per Site
Group picnic shelters can accommodate up to 50 people.
Groups
Two reservable group picnic shelters, each with water and electricity, six picnic tables, a large charcoal BBQ grill, and capacity to accommodate up to 50 people.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Site layoutDay-use facility with a visitor center, boat ramp, volleyball and horseshoe courts, a playground, several covered picnic sites, flush toilets and drinking water. Two large group picnic shelters include water, electricity, six picnic tables and a large charcoal BBQ grill.
Cancellation PolicyTwo group picnic shelters are available for reservation. Each shelter has water and electricity, six picnic tables, a large charcoal BBQ grill and can accommodate up to 50 people.
Accomodation available
GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.
Amenities available
Potable water
Picnic tables
Flush toilets
Electricity hookups
Water hookups
Activities you can enjoy
Primarily a day-use recreation area offering boating access to the Caloosahatchee River, picnicking, playground and court-based recreation, and interpretive exhibits at the visitor center. Visitors commonly watch vessel traffic on the Okeechobee Waterway and use the site as a base for river-based recreation.
Fishing
Anglers may fish for both freshwater and saltwater species from the Caloosahatchee River.Boating
Boating, canoeing and kayaking are popular on the Caloosahatchee River; a boat ramp is provided and river access supports watercraft use and observation of Okeechobee Waterway traffic.Water Sports
Boating, canoeing, and kayaking on the Caloosahatchee River.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
Hazards
Weather at W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area
56
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 88%
Wind: 4.2 mph
Clear sky
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Good to know
Proximity to water featuresDirectly on the Caloosahatchee River adjacent to the WP Franklin Lock and Dam; facility includes a boat ramp for river access.
Campground Map
W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area
Driving directionsFrom 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.
Accessible via Interstate 75 (Exit 141, Palm Beach Blvd.) then east 7 miles to Old Olga Road, then 0.3 miles to Franklin Lock Road.Nearby places
Lee County Manatee Park — 6 miles west on Palm Beach Blvd
Hickeys Creek Mitigation Park — 2 miles east on Palm Beach Blvd
Gulf of Mexico beaches and J.N. Ding Darling NWR — 30 miles west.
Reviews from booking and map sources
2.0
55 reviews
W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers consistently praise W.P. Franklin South as a clean, well‑maintained, scenic park ideal for family gatherings, picnics and fishing. Many highlight the pavilions, boat ramp and friendly staff, and several visitors enjoy watching the lock operations and using the park for celebrations like baby showers and birthdays.
Review Summaries
Based on 55 reviews
What Campers Love
Frequent positives are the scenic views along the water, roomy and clean pavilions/shelters, good parking and picnic facilities, and a convenient boat ramp. Reviewers also note attentive and helpful...
Based on 55 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
Few complaints overall; the recurring issues are a dock that several groups said is out of service and in need of repair (problematic for visitors arriving by small craft) and occasional bird...
Based on 55 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Reserve a pavilion ahead of time for larger events — reviewers frequently use the shelters for parties and showers. Bring small supplies like table coverings (one reviewer suggested this) and be...
Based on 55 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
The staff was so kind and helpful. They made sure all my needs were met and were happy to tell me all about Lake Okeechobee !
"The only suggestion for improvement is for the dock be repaired to its...
Based on 55 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
GS01 (Franklin Lock pavilion): popular for groups and cruise‑club meetings; staff assistance praised but reviewers request the dock be repaired so small craft can use it. Some comments about bird...
Based on 55 reviewsShow more
Accessibility Features
Reviewers commonly mention ample parking and convenient boat‑ramp parking, easy access for launching personal watercraft, and clean facilities. One reviewer explicitly rated accessibility highly as...
Based on 55 reviewsShow more
Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
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Last updated December 10, 2025
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