Beaches

Blind Pass Beach (aka Middle Beach) - This beach is located in the center of Manasota Key (north of Beach Road, and south of Manasota Beach Road). The beach side offers restroom facilities with lots of parking. The bay side offers many coves for fishing or kayaking.

Englewood Public Beach - Located on Manasota Key at the west end of Beach Road, this public beach offers plentiful parking, restrooms, playground, volley ball, horse shoes, and pavilions.

Manasota Beach - Take Manasota Beach Road west to the Gulf to the north end of Manasota Key. Restroom and parking facilities are readily available.

Stump Pass Beach State Recreation Area - Parking and restroom facilities were added this year. Located at the south end of Manasota Key (take a left at the end of Beach Road), Stump Pass beach offers something for everyone. If you're prepared to take a walk, you can find pristine beaches with few other visitors on the Gulf side of the peninsula, or water sports and activity on the Lemon Bay side of the peninsula!

Parks

Cayo Costa State Park - Located south of Boca Grande and accessible only by boat, the natural features of the island are stunning. Miles of beaches, acres of pine forests, oak palm hammocks, mangrove swamps and a spectacular display of bird life welcome visitors. Overnight camping and rental cabins are available.

Cedar Point Environmental Center - Located on the shores of Lemon Bay on Placida Road, this park boasts 88 acres with five marked hiking trails through Southwest Florida pine flatwoods, oak scrub, salt flats, and the mangrove fringe of Lemon Bay. American bald eagles and gopher tortoises, as well as many endangered plants are found here. Guided tours are available.

Don Pedro Island State Recreation Area - This park can be reached only by boat. Located on the barrier island of Don Pedro, you'll need to travel south of Stump Pass on the I.C.W. just past the "no-wake zone" and make a quick right at the brown State Park sign. About 20 boat slips await you at the docks. A short walk across the island takes you to a huge covered and several barbecue grills. Restrooms and showers are available.

Gasparilla Island State Recreation Area - Cross the bridge to Gasparilla Island and travel to the tip of the island. Located on Boca Grande Pass, where Charlotte Harbor enters the Gulf of Mexico, this park boasts a lighthouse built in 1890. Swimming, fishing and picnicing are popular activities.

Indian Mounds Park - Located on Lemon Bay, south of Dearborn street in Olde Englewood, Indian Mounds offers a public boat ramp with parking facilities. Other amenities include a picnic pavilion, picnic tables, and a historic nature trail.

Lemon Bay Park - Visit the butterfly garden, picnic sites and nature trails at this park located on Lemon Bay, north of Dearborn street in Olde Englewood. Classes and guided walks are available.

For additional Information:
Barrier Islands Geoparks - 941-964-0375
Charlotte County Parks & Recreation - 941-627-1628
Sarasota County Parks & Recreation - 941-316-1172