Charlotte County has thousands of acres of protected land and miles of shoreline, and fall is a good time to explore them. These are the big public places to explore, plus a few tips before you head out.
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park
This preserve covers 45,507 acres and protects more than 100 miles of shoreline along Charlotte Harbor in Charlotte and Lee counties. Entry is free.
Plan ahead. There is no drinking water in the backcountry, mosquitoes can be heavy, and seasonal flooding can close some trails. The Eagle Point Bridge near the Charlotte Harbor Education Center is closed for repairs, and alternate routes are marked. Call 941-575-5816 for current trail conditions.
Where: 12301 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Fee: Free
Babcock/Webb Wildlife Management Area
Babcock/Webb is a large wildlife management area about five miles from Punta Gorda. It is a stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, and visitors come to see red-cockaded woodpeckers, northern bobwhite and fox squirrels. The state keeps its prairies, marshes and pine flatwoods healthy with regular prescribed burns, and the area is used for hiking, fishing and hunting. Check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission page for access rules and hunting dates before you go.
More info: myfwc.com
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC)
CHEC is a local nonprofit that has offered environmental education, recreation and land management in the Charlotte Harbor area since 1987. It teaches more than 4,000 students a year, leads guided walks at county parks, and holds lectures and walks at Cedar Point Park in Englewood. If you want someone to point out the birds and plants for you, a CHEC walk is the place to start.
Calendar: checflorida.org
Paddling the Blueway Trails
Charlotte County has 219 miles of coastline, and its Blueway Trails link barrier islands, tidal creeks and quiet bays for canoes and kayaks. The county publishes a paddling guide with launch sites and routes, and the system connects to the statewide Florida Greenways and Trails network. For an easy first paddle, launch at Stump Pass Beach State Park and loop around the two small islands east of the beach.
Trail guide: charlottecountyfl.gov
Before You Go
- Bring more water than you think you need, plus bug spray and sun protection.
- Call ahead or check the park website for flooding and trail closures, especially after heavy rain.
- Stay on marked trails and give wildlife plenty of room.
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