For years, Lovers Key was only accessible by boat and it was said that only lovers traveled to the island to enjoy its remote and solitary beach. Today, Lovers Key State Park is made up of 4 barrier islands: Black Island, Long Key, Inner Key and Lovers Key. After acquisition by the State of Florida in 1983 and a merger with Carl E. Johnson County Park in 1996, these islands have now become Lovers Key State Park with 1,616 total acres. The islands and their waters are home to West Indian Manatees, Bottlenose Dolphins, Roseate Spoonbills, Marsh Rabbits, and Bald Eagles. The two mile-long beach is accessible by boardwalk or tram and is popular for shelling, swimming, picnicking, and sunbathing. Black Island has over five miles of multi use trails for hiking and bicycling. (Local legend hints that Black Island got its name from a Pirate named Black Augustus who was captured by authorities and later escaped, making Black Island his home. It is possible that his treasure is still buried on Black Island!)
Location
Lovers
Key State Park is
located in Fort Myers Beach,
10.5 miles west of exit
116 (Bonita Beach Road exit,
Bonita Springs) off of I75.
Lovers Key State Park is
accessible via Bonita Beach
Road in Bonita Springs
or
San Carlos Boulevard in Fort
Myers. Lovers Key is located
between
Fort Myers Beach
and Bonita
Beach, Florida.
At
Lovers Key State Park
Beaches • Birding • Facilities • Fishing • Bike & Nature
Trails
Picnicking • Shelling • Bait
Shop & Boat Ramp • Gazebo
Beaches: Lovers Key is a 2 1/2 mile stretch of beautiful beach.
It was selected as the #4 beach in Florida by the Travel Channel.
A courtesy tram is available to the south beach where a gazebo,
restrooms, and picnic areas are located.BACK TO TOP
Birding: Lovers Key State Park offers one of the best birding
areas in SW Florida. Roseate Spoonbills, Snowy Egrets, American
Kestrel and many other species are often observed feeding in the
bays, estuaries and maritime hammock. With over 40 species of
birds recorded, 17 of which are on the designated species list;
Lovers Key State Park is a birder paradise.BACK TO TOP
Facilities: Two playgrounds, nine picnic shelters, grills,
volleyball court, open field, and restroom facilities are available
at the Lovers Key State Park Bayside Park (located on Estero Blvd.,
1 mile north of the main park entrance).BACK TO TOP
Fishing: Trout, redfish, snook and tarpon are caught seasonally.
Castnetting for mullet in the bay is a popular activity.BACK TO TOP
Bike & Nature Trails: The Black Island Trail is 5 miles of hiking
or biking adventure through a maritime hammock along the canal
banks of Black Island. There are a total of 8 miles of trails within
the park including the beach.BACK TO TOP
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.BACK TO TOP
Shelling: This two and half mile-long stretch of white sugar sand
has been rated as one of the best beaches in the nation with
outstanding shelling opportunities.BACK TO TOP
located on the east side of the park next to the public boat ramp.
Open daily from 6:30am - 5:00pm.BACK TO TOP
at South Beach; a great place for some shade overlooking the
Gulf of Mexico. It is open to the public, but can be privately
reserved. There are 8 picnic tables available in the Gazebo
and it can hold up to 125 people.BACK TO TOP