Cayo Costa

Cayo Costa SP https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/cayo-costa-state-park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cayo_Costa_State_Park Cayo Costa State Park is a Florida State Park on Cayo Costa (formerly known as La Costa Island (Padilla Rancho)), which is directly south of Boca Grande (Gasparilla Island), 12 miles (19 km) west of Cape Coral and just north of North Captiva Island. The park is accessible only by charter boat (with or without captain), private boat, ferry or helicopter.

Florida State Parks Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation and Parks History & Nature For four thousand or more years before the arrival of Europeans in Florida, a succession of Native American fishing cultures lived and worked in the Charlotte Harbor area. Several of their shell mounds are located on Cayo Costa. Cayo Costa, which means “Key by the Coast” or barrier island, was the name given to the island by early Spanish traders. In the early 1800s, Spanish fishermen from Cuba established “fishing ranchos” on islands along Florida’s west coast. Fish were caught, dried and then transported to Cuban markets. In 1879, the Smithsonian Institution conducted a survey of Charlotte Harbor and found four fishing ranchos, two on Cayo Costa (then called La Costa Island). A quarantine station was established on the northern end of Cayo Costa for immigrants entering the country through Boca Grande Pass in the late 1800s. Approximately 20 fishing families lived on Cayo Costa in the early 1900s, where they established a school, a post office and a grocery store. Fishing continues to be a prominent activity here. Boca Grande Pass, to the north, is particularly well known for its tarpon fishing. Cayo Costa State Park Located 4 nautical miles west off the coastline of Pine Island, FL 33922 P.O. Box 1150 , Boca Grande, FL 33921 (941) 964-0375 FloridaStateParks.org • • • • • • • • • • Park Guidelines Southwest Florida Cayo Costa State Park A Gulf Coast island paradise Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year. An entrance fee is required. Additional user fees may apply. All plants, animals and park property are protected. Pets are permitted in designated areas only. Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet and well behaved at all times. Fishing, boating, swimming and fires are allowed in designated areas only. A Florida fishing license may be required. Fireworks and hunting are prohibited. Alcoholic beverage consumption is allowed in designated areas only. Become a volunteer. Inquire at the ranger station. To join the Barrier Island Parks Society, Inc., call (941) 964-0060. 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 ranger station. Alternate format available upon request at any Florida state park FLORIDA State Parks Created on 11/14 SM National Gold Medal Winner Florida State Parks - “America’s First Three-Time Winner” Real Fun in The park encompasses 2,420 acres on one of Florida’s largest unspoiled barrier islands. The southern portion of North Captiva Island, which lies off the coast of North Fort Myers, is also included in the park. Away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland, visitors will find beautiful white-sand beaches, hiking trails, primitive campsites and rustic cabins. Fishing is excellent in Charlotte Harbor, especially at Boca Grande Pass. Limited bayside docking is available for day visitors and overnight campers. A free tram transports visitors from the bayside docks to the gulf side of the island during normal operating hours. No electric or water hook-ups are available at the docks. Other beach activities include swimming and shelling, but you may not remove live shells (i.e. hermit crabs or sand dollars). Several hiking trails crisscross the island. Tables, grills and two picnic pavilions are available on the gulf side of the island. Twelve rustic cabins and 30 tent sites are available. For cabin reservation information, contact Reserve America at (800) 326-3521 or (866) I CAMP FL or TDD (888) 433-0287 or visit ReserveAmerica.com. Other state parks in the area include Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island and Stump Pass Beach. Directions The island lies 2 miles south of Boca Grande, and is accessible only by boat. Take I-75 to exit 143. Turn west on State Road 78 (Pine Island Road), then north on Stringfellow Road to Pineland. Contact the park’s office at (941) 964-0375 for ferry service information. 

Camping and Cabins Guide Florida State Parks FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Welcome When the setting sun paints the evening sky, where will you make your bed? Florida’s state parks offer you a variety of overnight accommodations. At a Florida state park, the day’s work is play, a walk on the beach, a hike through the woods, a swim, a bike ride. All you need is a fishing rod, a kayak, a book and a friend. What do you want to see when the sun rises on the new day? Choose a wooded campsite within walking distance of white sandy beaches or camp along the banks of a quietly moving river. Bring your boat or canoe, or fishing tackle and a rod, for a relaxing time with family and friends. Explore nature on the hiking trails, while at the same time leaving stress of the busy world behind. Attend a festival, a reenactment or simply do nothing. We are committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities for all visitors at Florida state parks, including campgrounds and cabins. 2 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Family Camping Florida’s state parks offer more than 50 campgrounds statewide for tents, campers and RVs. Most campsites include water, electricity, a grill and picnic table. Centralized showers, restrooms and a dump station are also available. • One responsible person, 18 or older, must be present on each campsite or cabin. • Camping fees vary from park to park and include a maximum of eight people per site, not including children under 6 years old. • Check-in time is 3 p.m. Check-out time is 1 p.m. You are welcome to stay in the park through the end of the day. • Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. • Campsites are limited to two vehicles. Selected campsites may only allow one vehicle. FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks 3 Cabins From modern to rustic, state park cabins provide overnight accommodations in a variety of settings—near beaches, rivers and lakes or peaceful wooded communities. Cabin styles vary from fully equipped modern cabins to hand-hewn, lumber or palm-log retreats. Cabin amenities may include a kitchen, fireplace and screened porch, complete with rocking chairs and porch swings. • Cabins may be reserved for one night during the week, Monday–Thursday, or a minimum of two nights on weekends and holidays, Friday and Saturday, departing Sunday, or Saturday and Sunday, departing Monday. Some exceptions apply. • Cabins can accommodate either four or six visitors. • Check-in time is 4 p.m. Check-out time is 11 a.m. • Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. 4 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks • Pets are not permitted in cabins or cabin areas. • Staff may assess cabin renters a damage fee if necessary to clean-up or repair any damage beyond ordinary cleaning, wear and tear. Fees may also be charged for lost/stolen items. Group, Primitive, Equestrian and Boat Many parks offer areas for youth and group camping. Backpackers may wish to hike to secluded areas for primitive camping. More than 15 state parks offer campsites and other amenities for equestrians and their horses. Owners of horses visiting state parks must provide proof of a negative Coggins test. Call the park to discuss availability, facilities, rules and fees. Five state parks provide boat slips with water and electricity. Boaters have access to the state park’s restrooms, showers, pump-outs and other amenities. Boaters can also anchor overnight at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks 5 Camping with Pets and Service Animals Pets are welcome at most Florida State Parks. Some campgrounds have designated sites for pets. All pets must be confined, leashed or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Leashes may not exceed six feet in length. Pets must be well behaved. Owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Pets are not permitted on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or concession facilities. Individual parks may have specific areas prohibiting pets. Service animals in a working capacity are allowed in all public areas of state parks when accompanied by a visitor with a disability. Service animals should be harnessed, leashed or tethered unless such a device interferes with the service animal’s work or the visitor’s disability prevents the use of these devices. 6 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Reservations Campsite and cabin reservations may be made from one day to 11 months in advance by calling (800) 326-3521, (866) I CAMP FL or TDD (888) 433-0287 or by visiting FloridaStateParks.ReserveAmerica.com. Call the park directly to reserve group or primitive campsites. Prices per night: Campsites $16 to $42 Cabins $30 to $160 Visitors pay a reservation fee of $6.70 *Prices subject to change. A 50 percent discount on base campsite fees is available to Florida citizens who are 65 years old or older, or Florida c