You might not have been aware of this, but Florida has been honored with the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence, with regards to the management of their state park system, on no less than four occasions. That is very impressive considering they are responsible for almost 175 state parks!
Florida’s state parks are unlike any other states in the country. Possessing everything from raging rivers, and deep caverns, to beautiful botanical gardens, and isolated islands, that have resisted the human touch for thousands of years.
Many of these state parks are situated in, or relatively near Fort Myers. So they make perfect day trips, or longer vacation getaways, for locals and tourists alike.
If you need some time away from the fastest growing city in the USA (according to WalletHub), there are plenty of options available to you.
But this list of 10 state parks near Fort Myers are the ones we think you should prioritize a visit too.
Map of State Parks Near Fort Myers, FL
Here is a map of the state parks in Florida covered by this post:
List of State Parks Near Fort Myers
These 10 state parks near Fort Myers all offer excellent outdoor recreational activities, beautiful scenery and splendid opportunities for camping.
While several are not really close to Fort Myers, they can also easily be reached via a straightforward drive over various amounts of time from the city too.
1. Estero Bay Preserve State Park
Distance from Fort Myers: about 14 miles south of Fort Myers (straight-line).
Location: 4940 Broadway West
Estero, FL 33928
Estero Bay Preserve State Park, the first aquatic nature preserve established in Florida, is a 10,000-acre (40 km2) Florida State Park located near Estero, between Fort Myers and Naples.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, hiking trails, picnic areas, and RV sites with hookups.
See our full Estero Bay Preserve State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Koreshan State Park
Distance from Fort Myers: about 15 miles south of Fort Myers (straight-line).
Location: Fort Myers
Entry, FL
The Koreshan State Park is a state park in Estero, Florida located on U.S.
Highlights associated with Koreshan State Park include beach access, river access, and island scenery.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, a boat launch, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
See our full Koreshan State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Mound Key Archaeological State Park
Distance from Fort Myers: about 15 miles south of Fort Myers (straight-line).
Location: Estero, FL
Mound Key Archaeological State Park is a Florida State Park, located in Estero Bay, near the mouth of the Estero River.
Highlights associated with Mound Key Archaeological State Park include beach access, river access, and island scenery.
See our full Mound Key Archaeological State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Lovers Key State Park
Distance from Fort Myers: about 17 miles south of Fort Myers (straight-line).
Location: 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Lovers Key State Park is a 712-acre (2.88 km2) Florida State Park located on Lover’s Key and three other barrier islands—Black Island, Inner and Long Key.
Highlights associated with Lovers Key State Park include beach access, island scenery, and wildlife viewing.
See our full Lovers Key State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park
Distance from Fort Myers: about 23 miles northwest of Fort Myers (straight-line).
Location: 12301 Burnt Store Rd
Punta Gorda, FL 33955
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park is a 46,000-acre (190 km2) Florida State Park, composed of islands and land that surrounds Charlotte Harbor.
Highlights associated with Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
6. Cayo Costa State Park
Distance from Fort Myers: about 24 miles west of Fort Myers (straight-line).
Location: 4 nautical miles west of Pine Island
Captiva, FL 33924
Highlights associated with Cayo Costa State Park include beach access, river access, and island scenery.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, and a marina.
See our full Cayo Costa State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Gasparilla Island State Park
Distance from Fort Myers: about 25 miles west of Fort Myers (straight-line).
Location: 880 Belcher Rd
Boca Grande, FL 33921
Gasparilla Island State Park is a Florida State Park located south of Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island off Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound.
Highlights associated with Gasparilla Island State Park include beach access, coastal dunes, and lake recreation.
See our full Gasparilla Island State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
8. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
Distance from Fort Myers: about 25 miles south of Fort Myers (straight-line).
Location: 11135 Gulf Shore Drive
Naples, FL 34108
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is a Florida state park located on a barrier island on Florida’s southwest coast near Naples, Florida, 6 miles west of I-75 in North Naples.
Highlights associated with Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
9. Don Pedro Island State Park
Distance from Fort Myers: about 32 miles northwest of Fort Myers (straight-line).
Location: 8450 Placida Rd
Placida, FL 33946
Don Pedro Island State Recreation Area is a state park in the U.S.
Highlights associated with Don Pedro Island State Park include beach access, river access, and island scenery.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, a designated swimming area, and picnic areas.
See our full Don Pedro Island State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
10. Stump Pass Beach State Park
Distance from Fort Myers: about 34 miles northwest of Fort Myers (straight-line).
Highlights associated with Stump Pass Beach State Park include beach access, river access, and island scenery.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include hiking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
See our full Stump Pass Beach State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
