W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area

Star1.96
55 reviews
W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Electric

Opens booking site

Get Directions
W.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

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider

What 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."

Read all reviews



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
Advertisement

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
Reveal picks

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

Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast
Powered by AI weather analysis
Reveal forecast

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
Mixed Reviews
Mixed 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...
Show more
Based on 55 reviews

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...
Show more
Based on 55 reviews

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...
Show more
Based on 55 reviews

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...
Show more
Based on 55 reviews

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...
Show more
Based on 55 reviews

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...
Show more
Based on 55 reviews

Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Magnifying Glass
No reviews availableLeave a review to get started

Last updated December 10, 2025
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Florida

Campgrounds
Lake Okeechobee
W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area