Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Exploring Charlotte Harbor
Charlotte Harbor covers more than five square miles, yet you can only walk along its shores in a handful of places. That’s thanks to the extensive mangrove forests that protect its fringes.
They are protected by public lands like Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park, Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve, and Cape Haze Aquatic Preserve.
Long home to the indigenous Calusa, this large natural harbor intrigued Spanish explorers, with Juan Ponce De Leon purportedly landing on its shores not far from modern-day Punta Gorda.
With a wonderfully walkable downtown, Punta Gorda is one of the oldest communities directly along the harborfront.
The barrier islands of Boca Grande, La Costa, and Pine Island sit where the harbor’s mingle with the Gulf of Mexico.
Trails and Parks around Charlotte Harbor
Alligator Creek Preserve A series of loop trails radiate from Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, exploring upland habitats and wetlands where freshwater and saltwater ecosystems converge. 
Cape Haze Pioneer Trail A legacy of Florida's early phosphate mining, the Cape Haze Pioneer Trail now provides a protected greenway through a very residential corner of Charlotte County.
Cayo Costa State Park To spend a day or a weekend on your own deserted island? Heaven. This is one of the tougher and costlier state parks to get to, but well worth it. 
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park Stretched long and thin to follow the convoluted shoreline of Charlotte Harbor, Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park protects more than 100 miles of coastline along the Gulf Coast.
Gasparilla Island State Park Protecting a string of beaches along the Gulf shore of Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, this far-flung outpost of Lee County has one of Florida's most delightful lighthouse museums.
Old Datsun Trail Where pine flatwoods and palm hammocks regain a foothold atop formerly farmed fields, the Old Datsun Trail loops what was once an agricultural school
Ponce De Leon Park A city park with dramatic sunsets over a beach on Charlotte Harbor, Ponce De Leon Park is a delight for birders and paddlers, too.
Punta Gorda Harborwalk Spanning 2.3 miles along Charlotte Harbor, the Harborwalk is a recreational gem in downtown Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda Linear Park A greenway through the heart of historic Punta Gorda, Linear Park provides an unexpected corridor of nature.
Tippecanoe Environmental Park With 380 acres of uplands and wetlands along the rim of Tippecanoe Bay, Tippecanoe Environmental Park can be explored on an extensive interconnected network of hiking trails.Articles
The Pint-sized Ponces of Punta Gorda (7/20/2018) Ponce de Leon, it seems, was a short fellow. In Punta Gorda, Florida, you'll find pint-sized statues, murals, and even the Fountain of Youth to recollect his 1513 visit to Charlotte Harbor.INCLUDES: Boca Grande, Cape Haze, Pine Island, Placida, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda | NEARBY: Englewood, Pine Island Sound | PART OF: Southwest Florida