Stump Pass Beach | Southwest Florida beaches

Florida is truly a paradise and the more I explore the more I fall in love with this beautiful state. Husband and I decided that before we start venturing to other states that we would explore the area of Southwest Florida first, which is where we currently live.

The reason being that we realized that although we have both been living in this area for 20+ years there are still way too many gems that we had yet discovered. We recently went to Nokomis beach in Sarasota county and couldn't believe what we were missing out on so we decided to take another trip North to find out more about the beautiful beaches that the area has to offer.

This specific time we picked Stump pass beach in Englewood and once again, we were not disappointed at all and I would like to share with you everything this amazing Florida State beach park has to offer in case you are planning a trip and would like to be as prepared as you can be.

Everything you must know before visiting Stump Pass beach in Englewood Florida

1 - Parking

Parking is very limited with only 40 parking spaces so arrive early if you want to secure a spot.

2 - Parking fee

The parking fee is $3 per car with up to 8 passengers and you will need cash. The park provides an envelope where you can put the money inside and place inside a bin for payment. Make sure you detach the parking ticket that is attached to the envelope and place it in your car's dashboard so you don't get fined or towed for non payment.

3 - Hours of operation

Stump pass beach park is open from 8 am to sundown so plan accordingly

4 - Pets

Although pets are allowed in the park area, they are not allowed on the beach. So if you were planning to bring your pooch keep in mind that they will have to stay within the park amenities but will not be able to enjoy the beach with you.

Also, dogs must be kept on a leashed, be well behaved and cannot be left unattended.

5 - Park admission

If you decided not to drive and rather walk or bicycle to the park then the park admission is $2 per person.

6 - Facilities

Restroom facilities are available on the beach park premises. Restrooms are rather clean and there is also a changing station in the women's restroom for families with little kids and/or babies.

7 - Shower stations

I counted about three wash off/shower stations throughout the park. These are a great feature to wash yourself off as well as your beach items before returning to your car, home or your hotel and really get rid of all or at least most of the beach sand.

8 - Wheelchair Accessible

The park is really committed to making all areas accessible to everyone and that includes wheelchairs as well. Not only the park will provide free beach wheelchair to anyone who needs it, there is also ramps that makes it possible for anyone who is in a wheelchair to enjoy the amenities. For a free beach wheelchair be sure to contact the park staff prior to visiting to ensure there will be one available upon your arrival.

Fun activities to do in Stump Pass Beach State Park

Now that I have detailed the must knows about Stump pass beach park in Englewood, it's time to let you in on all of the fun things you can do at the park.

1 - Swimming

The beach is a great place for swimmers. I have little kids and they had a great time swimming on this beach. The waves are not very rough and they were able to enjoy it without my husband and I having to be worried about them drowning. Do be aware of the current and do check the beach warning flags which will help you determine whether it is safe for bathing or not.

Keep in mind that lifeguards are not present so do use caution.

2 - Fishing

Fishing is quite popular at Stump pass beach state park. As you walk by the shore you will see quite a few people fishing and hoping to find the catch of the day.

Some of the fishes you may find in this area are snook, flounder, trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon.

However, if you are 16 or older you will need a fish license in order to fish in Florida but that's easily attainable on the GoOutdoorsFlorida website. You can also obtain a license in person at the local tax collector's office or via phone by dialing 888-FISH-FLORIDA.

3 - Kayak or Canoes

The park provides a kayak/Canoe launch area making it easy for kayakers to gain easy to access the gulf of Mexico waters.

4 - Stand up Paddle boarding

Paddle boarders can also use the kayak launch area or just paddle board from the beach.

5 - Picnicking

Want to bring your own food and drinks and enjoy a picnic at the beach? Stump pass beach has six covered picnic tables, one by the restrooms and the other five are located throughout the hiking trail. They are available on a first come, first served basis and reservations are not required.

I also saw one barbecue grill by the restroom facility in case you want to grill.

6 - Snorkeling

Since this area is known for having shark tooth, it is very common to see people using their snorkeling gear to look for them. There are also quite a few fish in the water so bringing your snorkeling gear to be able to see them freely swimming in the water is a great activity on its own for both adults and children.

7 - Shelling

I found a couple of nice looking shells on this beach, and the further you go from the crowds the better shells you will be able to find. As mentioned earlier, this beach is also known for having shark tooth, although we were not able to find any but at the same time we weren't actively searching for them but you may just be luckier than we were and score a nice shark tooth that you can bring home as a souvenir.

Remember that live shells are protected in the state of Florida so if you find one please do not take them, our environment depends on that.

8 - Enjoy the wildlife

There are many species of birds and other animals that call Stump pass beach state park their home so be on the look out for them. Here are a few that you may spot during your trip:

• Great blue heron

• Little green heron

• Gulls

• Terns

• Skimmers

• Pelicans

• Ospreys

• Gopher tortoises

• Dolphins

• Sea Turtles

• Manatees

You will also see quite a few of turtle nests along the beach. When we visited there were a total of 65 nests and you can see that information right on the turtle information board that is located close to the covered picnic table that is adjacent to the restrooms.

9 - Hiking

One of the greatest amenities of the park that is unlike many other beach parks that we have visited is the beautiful walking trail that runs along the beach, surrounded by beautiful tall trees and vegetation.

The hiking trail is 1.3 miles long and you will also have access to mangroves where you can actually set up camp instead of being by the main beach. However, there are quite a few boats and jet ski cruising through frequently so it may be a little bit loud if you were expecting a nice quiet area.

The trail also offers information about the plant species that you will find throughout the park.

One advice I have is to wear shoes during your hike through the trail as the sand gets very hot. I wore sandals and the sand was still burning my feet so I kept walking into the water to keep them cool. You can also choose to hike the trail early in the morning or close to sundown so the sand is not as hot.

10 - Photoshoots

There are so many beautiful spots to take pictures at Stump pass beach park. If you walk South, away from the crowd you will find that the further you go the more remote and beautiful it gets, filled with trees, wildlife and perfect for photos.

Whether you are there for nature photos or family photos, Stump beach pass will not disappoint. Also, be sure to check out the hiking trail mangroves for some stunning views.

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Overall, Stump pass beach state park is a great entertainment that is suitable for all ages. Whether you are a kayaker, a photographer looking to take amazing pictures, a nature enthusiast or simply a family looking to have a great time, this beach is an awesome place to visit.

I hope this guide has helped you to plan your trip so you can fully enjoy your day and take advantage of all the things this awesome state park has to offer.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram and if you end up visiting Stump pass beach, make sure to tag me @jujugurgel on your post and/or stories so I can see the amazing pictures you have taken as well as repost them to my instagram.