The “docks” in the Park referred to below by Captains Ben and Barbara, are a bit on the low side, and are not really appropriate for boats 40 feet or larger. Otherwise, this is an excellent, very reasonably priced place to spend an evening on the Okeechobee Waterway.

I am sure that most of you may already know this, especially those of you who cruise Florida waters. The Army Corps of Engineers has a wonderful “campground” for boats. It is located on the St. Lucie canal immediately after going through the St. Lucie Lock. It has spaces for both campers and boats. They have both electric and water as well as showers. The charge for both boats and RV’s is $24.00 per night. However, if you have a Golden Age Passport it is only $12.00 per night. a real bargain! Unfortunately, it is not near any shopping facilities. We have just splashed our boat at American Custom Yachts (that’s another story! ) came through the lock and decided to stay here while we still had our van and could go around to WalMart (where else) and stock the boat. We will leave the van at the Indiantown Marina and cruise on across Lake Okeechobee to Ft. Myers and the Gulf. At this time we plan to bring the boat back to Indiantown when we return to Kentucky in May. There is also another Corps of Engineers facility after you cross the lake it is at the Franklin Lock. They tell us it is even nicer than the one here.
Weather here has been cold and windy. Hopefully, we will get some warm Florida weather soon.
Ben and Barbara Falmlen
Two Cats Too

Both the St. Lucie Lock and Franklin Lock Campgrounds are a favorite stop for us (we are a 30 ft trawler so fit into the slips nicely). We have run up the St. Lucie just to stay at the St. Lucie Campground for 5 days. There isn’t a lot near here but we enjoy watching the fish jump in the river, the alligator, occasional manatee, riding our bikes to the Dairy Queen, walking the trail, watching the boats lock through and talking with other boaters and campers who are here. The Franklin lock campground has a laundry but we have just been told that there is another campground near the Lucie Lock which has a laundry. At $12.00 a night (senior pass rate) it’s a bargain. Four of the slips (#1 and 2 and 7 and can be reserved 3 days in advance through the government reservation system. The other four are first come first serve. Be aware that slips 7 and 8 have no piling to tie a stern to (all boats go bow in because of the shallow depths near shore) and would be suitable only for a short boat.
Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)