W.P. FRANKLIN NORTH
RECREATION AREA
Clewiston, FL
Description
Located on the Caloosahatchee River section of the
Okeechobee Waterway, W.P. Franklin Lock Recreation
Area has a tropical atmosphere that provides an excellent
setting for visitors to camp, swim, fish, picnic,
boat, or enjoy hours of quiet contemplation. Visitors
can view manatees, abundant bird life, and watch boats
locking through the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam as
they travel the Okeechobee Waterway. Downtown Fort
Myers flea markets, grocery stores, malls, the historic
Thomas Edison/Henry Ford Home, and the beautiful Gulf
beaches are all within 15 minutes of driving time.
Contact Information
W.P. Franklin N
525 RIDGELAWN RD
CLEWISTON FL 33440-5399
For more information about the park, please call
( 239)694-8770
Operating Hours
The W.P. Franklin North Campground is open
6am to 10pm. The campground entrance gate is closed
at 10pm. All visitors are required to leave at 10pm.
Quiet hours are observed 10pm to 6am. The W.P. Franklin
South Day Use Area is open from 8am to sunset.
Getting There
To WP Franklin North Campground
From I-75, take Exit 141 (Highway 80-Ft. Myers/LaBelle).
Travel east to Highway 31, turn north and follow
to Highway 78. Turn east on Highway 78 and follow
5 miles to North Franklin Lock Road. Turn south
on North Franklin Lock Road and follow into campground.
From LaBelle, travel north on Highway 29, turn
left on Highway 78 and travel west for 19.2 miles,
then turn left on North Franklin Lock Road and follow
into campground.
To WP Franklin South Day Use Area
From I-75, take Exit 141 (Highway 80-Ft. Myers/LaBelle).
Travel east 2.4 miles past Highway 31 to Old Olga
Road. Turn left on Old Olga Road and travel 2.2
miles to the WP Franklin Lock Recreation Area entrance
road, turn left and follow to recreation area.
From LaBelle, travel west on Highway 80, 5.5 miles
past the intersection with Highway 884. Turn right
onto Old Olga Road, travel 0.3 miles to the WP Franklin
Lock Recreation Area entrance road, turn right and
follow to recreation area.
Activities
On the north side of the river, the W.P. Franklin
North Campground offers 30 Class A tent/RV sites and
8 Cruiser (boat) sites, all with electric and water
hookups. Additional amenities include a trailer dump
station, hot showers, public phones, a fishing pier,
boat ramp, and group picnic shelters.
On the south side of the river, at the W.P. Franklin
South Day Use Area, visitors can enjoy the swim beach,
a visitor center, group picnic shelters, individual
picnic sites, playcourts, boat ramp, and a playground.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance.
The campground is open all year round. Campground
gates open at 6am and close at 10pm. Gate attendants
are on duty and the campground telephone number is
239-694-8770. Cruiser sites are ONLY for boats that
accommodate sleeping. Campers reserving Cruiser sites
(sites B1-B8) must sleep on the boat. Absolutely NO
TENT or RV camping is allowed at these sites. This
campground has first-come, first-serve sites.
Camping
Camping is permitted in designated areas only. Check
out time is 12 noon. Camping is limited to 14 days
within a 30 day period.
Pets
Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up
after their pets. Pets must be penned or kept on a
6’ leash at all times.
Campfires
Fires are permitted in grills & fire rings only.
Please extinguish all unattended fires.
Litter
Campers are expected to keep their site free of
litter at all times. Trash cans are located throughout
the north and south recreation areas for your convenience.
Parking
Vehicles must be parked on camp pads or in designated
areas.
Trailer Dump Station
A dump station is provided for the disposal of waste
water or similar material. Dumping "gray water"
onto the ground is prohibited.
Group Picnic Shelters
Boat Launch Ramps
There is a daily fee to use a boat launch ramp,
or you may purchase an Annual Pass at the W.P. Franklin
North Campground Office. Annual Passes are valid
for day use fees at all US Army Corps of Engineers
Recreation Areas nationwide.
Swimming Beach
Golden Age/Golden Access
The lifetime pass entitles cardholder to a 50% discount
of user fees at a federal project. Visitors who
possess proper identification that they are a U.S.
Citizen, either 62 years or older or receiving handicap
disability assistance are eligible for the program.
The cards may be obtained at the W.P. Franklin North
Campground Office.
