Charlotte HarborBrochure |
Brochure of Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park in Florida. Published by Florida State Parks.
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History & Nature
The Preserve provides protection for five aquatic
preserves: Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass,
Gasparilla Sound – Charlotte Harbor, Cape Haze
and Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserves.
Mangrove forests dominate the shoreline and
provide habitat for coastal birds including herons
and egrets. Landward of the mangrove coast, the
Preserve is a mix of communities including fresh
and saltwater marshes, salt flats, pine flatwoods,
coastal hammocks, scrub and scrubby flatwoods.
These communities are home to red-shouldered
hawks, Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes,
wading birds, otters, alligators and migratory birds.
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park is rich
in cultural resources from the pre- and postColumbian cultures. Humans have used the
lands surrounding Charlotte Harbor for thousands
of years. The earliest most visible evidence of
past use at the Preserve are shell middens and
mounds left by prehistoric peoples. Archaeological
sites on public lands are protected by law.
Acquisition of the Preserve lands began in the
1970s and became a Florida state park in 2004.
Florida State Parks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Recreation and Parks
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park
12301 Burnt Store Road
Punta Gorda, FL 33955
(941)575-5861
FloridaStateParks.org
Park Guidelines
Southwest
Florida
Charlotte Harbor
Preserve
State Park
“Protecting Florida’s largest and
most productive estuary.”
• Trails are open sunrise until sunset, 365 days
a year.
• The collection, destruction or disturbance of
cultural resources, plants, animals or park property
is prohibited.
• Pets are permitted in designated areas only. Pets
must be kept on a hand-held leash no longer than
six feet and well-behaved at all times.
• Fishing is allowed throughout the Preserve, except
for the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center. A
Florida fishing license may be required.
• Fireworks and hunting are prohibited.
• Become a volunteer. Inquire at the park office.
• For information about joining the Friends of
the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves, call
(941)575-5861.
• Florida’s state parks are committed to providing
equal access to all facilities and programs. Should
you need assistance to enable your participation,
please contact the park office.
Alternate format
available upon
request at any
Florida state park.
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Public Access Points
Tea Street
Trailhead
Visitors are welcome to explore other areas of the
Preserve, unless posted as closed, but should be
aware that these areas are a remote and primitive
wilderness. Visitors should take a compass, a map
and sufficient water for their trip. No restrooms or
drinking water are provided.
Charlotte
Harbor
Environmental
Center
Trailhead
Coral Creek
Trailhead
C.
R.
77
71
York Road Trailhead
5
Park
Office
Catfish
Creek
Trailhead
and
Picnic
Pavilion
Old Datsun
Trailhead
75
41
North Cape
Flats Trailhead
Burnt Store Road
The Little Pine Island High Marsh Trail is
located on the north side of Pine Island Road
between Matlacha and Pine Island. It is two
miles long and traverses a salt marsh, salt flats,
freshwater marsh and mangrove forest. The
Catfish Creek Trailhead is located on the east
side of County Road 771, about 2.5 miles north
of Placida. A pavilion is available for picnics. The
1.75-mile Old Datsun Trail is located on Burnt
Store Road in Punta Gorda. It winds through oak
and sabal palm hammocks, pine flatwoods and
isolated wetlands. It is located near the Charlotte
Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC), where
environmental education programs, interpretive
guided hikes and approximately six miles of
marked trails can be utilized.
Marion
C.
R.
7
Fishing, wildlife viewing and hiking are popular
activities. Wildlife is abundant and a variety of bird
life is readily observable. Birding is considered
of such quality that some trails have been listed
in the south section of the Great Florida Birding
Trail. Access is provided at trailheads and gates
along the boundary of the Preserve. Open water
and expansive tidal marsh communities provide
opportunities for scenic vistas.
Edgewater
S.R. 7
76
The Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park is
comprised of over 43,000 acres in Lee and
Charlotte counties. These lands were acquired
to provide a natural buffer from urban areas and
agricultural lands to help protect the largest and
most productive estuary in Florida. More than 80
miles of shoreline is protected.
Little Pine Island Trailhead
Pine
Directions
From I-75, take Exit 161 (County
Road 768) west for six miles to
12301 Burnt Store Road. The road
changes from North Jones Loop Road
to Burnt Store Road (County Road
765) upon crossing U.S. 41. The park’s
administrative office is located on the right.
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