Well, I’ve known for years about the free docks at the campground just west of the St. Luice Lock, but somehow I’ve missed the piers below described by Captain Thomason.

Dear Claiborne,
I have looked for the Franklin Lock Campground on the cruiser’s net under Okeechobee Route and can’t find it. It is also not in the edition (admittedly ten years old) we have of Eastern Florida. I just wondered why? The docks here are longer than the St. Lucie Lock Campground, though not suitable for a boat length over 40 ft. There is a laundry as well as showers, water and electric hookups for $24 a night ($12 for senior pass holders). Four slips can be reserved three days or more in advance by calling 877-444-6777 or on line at www.recreation.gov . Four slips are first come first serve. The setting is natural with birds, alligators and manatees. The Park Campground office number is 239-694-8770. We usually stay several nights here when we’re transiting the Okeechobee Waterway.
Jean Thomason on DOVEKIE

I e-mailed Captain Jean and asked for more details on this facility’s location. She was kind enough to respond with the note below:

The Lat/Lon is 26 43′ 387 N; 081 41′ 454 W. The 4 fixed wooded docks are on the northern side on the river on the eastern side of the lock on a charted sidewater. Depths at the water end of the docks are over 7 feet, while the shore end is shallow so all boats go in bow first.. There is good protection from winds from any direction. The campground is administered by Army Corps of Engineers, so Federal passes are honored. It mostly caters to RV’s but there are 8 boat slips. Slips # 1,2 7,8 can be pre-reserved. Slips #3,4,5,6 are first come, first serve. The official limit on length of stay is two weeks. There are no stores etc nearby, but with all the campers, one can probably get a ride to a grocery or have someone pick up an item or two. There is biking on the roads outside the park, including a county park with walking trails.
Hope this helps!
Jean