W.P. Franklin N
Visitors flock to W.P. Franklin Campground for its well-kept facilities and location on the Caloosahatchee River, where campers can fish, boat and take it easy in sunny southwest Florida. The campground, about 10 miles east of Fort Myers, provides visitors with a taste of tranquil, tropical country life. Nearby Telegraph Creek, offers exciting opportunities to canoe Florida's backcountry swamps and view wildlife.
More like this: electric hookups in Florida · reservable in Florida · big rigs in Florida · pets allowed in Florida · group sites in Florida
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 30 |
| mooring | 8 |
| group shelter nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
39 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 02 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 03 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 04 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 05 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 06 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 07 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 08 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 09 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 10 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site 08 is listed accessible |
The 29 RV sites and 8 boat sites are equipped with 50 amp electric and water hookups. A boat ramp, fishing pier and trailer dump station are conveniently onsite.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-75, take Exit 141, following SR 80 E to SR 31. Turn N on SR 31 and travel 4 mi to SR 78. Turn E on SR 78 for 3 mi and turn S on North Franklin Lock Rd into the campground. From I-75, take Exit 143, following Bayshore Boulevard E to SR 31. Turn N on SR 31 and travel 1.5 mi to SR 78.
| Nearest town | Alva, Florida |
| Coordinates | 26.7242° N, 81.6928° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedSea Ce 8 Rx 1013
46 mi from the campground · 2 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Scout Shop ↗ | 15 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 15.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
W. P. Franklin North Campground - Lake Okeechobee, FL
Public land it sits in
Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge begins about 6.7 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 6.7 miCaloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 12 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Olga SchoolBuilding · Olga · 1.3 mi
- Buckingham SchoolBuilding · Buckingham · 4.3 mi
- Alva Consolidated SchoolsBuilding · Alva · 5.1 mi
Natural features
The campground is almost completely surrounded by the Caloosahatchee River with just a narrow stretch of land connecting it to the shore. The Caloosahatchee River is part of the 152 mile Okeechobee Waterway that spans South Florida from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
Recreation
Fishing for both salt and fresh water game fish is popular, as is boating. A unique feature of the campground is its cruiser sites, where campers sleep on their boat while enjoying the perks of the campsite facilities.
Nearby
Visit the U.S Army Corps of Engineers visitor center across the river in the W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area. Visit downtown Fort Myers for flea markets, grocery stores, shopping and the historic Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Winter Estates, or spend a day exploring the sandy Gulf of Mexico beaches, about 45 minutes from the campground.
Guidebooks for Florida
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at W.P. Franklin N?
Sites at W.P. Franklin N are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at W.P. Franklin N?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does W.P. Franklin N have?
39 sites, including 30 standard sites with power, 8 mooring, and 1 group shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at W.P. Franklin N?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does W.P. Franklin N have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at W.P. Franklin N?
A boat ramp, fishing pier and trailer dump station are conveniently onsite.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at W.P. Franklin N?
Yes, pets are allowed at W.P. Franklin N. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at W.P. Franklin N?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at W.P. Franklin N?
Site 08 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at W.P. Franklin N?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at W.P. Franklin N?
Fishing for both salt and fresh water game fish is popular, as is boating. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to W.P. Franklin N?
Alva, Florida. Visit the U.S Army Corps of Engineers visitor center across the river in the W.P.
Source: Getting there