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Gasparilla Island State Park
Nearby Parks:
Cayo Costa State Park
Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge
Island Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Don Pedro Island State Park
Stump Pass Beach State Park
Port Charlotte Beach State Park
Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge
Charlotte Harbor State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Gasparilla Island State Park
P.O. Box 1150
Boca Grande, Florida 33921
Phone: 941-964-0375
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Overview: |
| Separated from the mainland by Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound, this island is part of a chain of Gulf Coast barrier islands. The centerpiece of Gasparilla is the restored Boca Grande Lighthouse built in 1890. Swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and nature study are popular activities. Shelling is particularly good in the winter months. Two picnic areas offer pavilions for shade and scenic views of the surrounding water. The lighthouse is open to the public 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily from November through April. From May through July and September it is open Wednesday through Sunday. The lighthouse will be closed during the month of August. It is closed on these major holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King?s Birthday, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Some of the protected animal species that may be seen on the island are the West Indian manatee, gopher tortoise, southern bald eagle, least tern, royal tern, sandwich tern and the American oystercatcher. |
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| Be the 1st to Review Gasparilla Island State Park. You can rate it, post a comment on it, or do both. |
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| Trails: |
| Enjoy a leisurely walk on our nature trails, which meander through our beautiful barrier island. Along the way you can see many species of birds, including several rare and endangered, that visit our island in the spring and fall, during their migratory journeys. Some of these species use our island?s natural resources for their nesting activities. |
| Picnicking: |
| Two picnic areas, with covered tables and restroom facilities, are located in the park which offer scenic views of the surrounding water. |
| Swimming: |
| Swimming and sunbathing are very popular activities and along the gulfside of the island are four parking areas, Range Light, Sea Grape, Dunes, and Seawall, which offer access to our beautiful gulf beaches. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| The Gulf of Mexico beaches provide year-round excellent saltwater fishing in the waters adjacent to the park and in the deep waters of Boca Grande Pass. |
| History of the Area: |
| One interesting feature of Gasparilla Island State Park is the wooden lighthouse on the southern end of the island. The lighthouse was first placed into use by the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1890 as a guide to mariners seeking the entrance to Port Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor. In 1966, the Coast Guard closed the lighthouse down.
The Federal Government donated the lighthouse to Lee County in 1972 and by 1980 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Department of Natural Resources (today the Department of Environmental Protection) assumed ownership of the lighthouse in 1985 and spent a year restoring the complex. The light was relit in November 1986. |
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| Nature Programs: |
| These programs, given by our rangers, cover a wide variety of topics including the history of the island and interpretation of the natural resources found on the island. |
| Directions: |
| Gasparilla Island is a barrier island on Florida's southwest coast. Access to the island is via the Boca Grande Causeway at C.R. 775 and Placida. |
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