The lighthouse is open for climbing the second weekend of each month, both Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, October - May. A $7/person donation is requested. Always check this homepage for possible closings, typically due to weather.
Many thanks to resident ranger, Tod Cornell, for his tireless work since Hurricane Helene to make the island safe for visitors. It has taken months of effort - THANK YOU, RANGER TOD!
When visiting the island,
- Please pick up and take home any trash that you find, especially plastic.
- Please leave your dog on your boat or at home. Dogs are not allowed anywhere on the island!
Friends of Anclote Key State Park & Lighthouse
The Friends is a volunteer organization that supports Anclote Key State Park and the lighthouse. It is a Citizens Support Organization (CSO) designated by the State of Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. It is composed of people who care about the ecological health of the islands and the integrity of the lighthouse.
Mission
To support the Florida State Park Service in its efforts to preserve the ecological health of the Anclote islands and associated underwater habitats, and also sustain the structural integrity, appearance, and visitation of Anclote Lighthouse.
Anclote Key Preserve State Park
Anclote Key Preserve State Park covers the islands of Anclote Key, Three Rooker Bar, and North Bar. All are barrier islands about three miles offshore of the mainland with Tarpon Springs the nearest town onshore. The largest of the islands is Anclote Key, a four-mile nature preserve composed of sandy beaches, maritime hammock, mangroves, and seagrass beds. North Bar is now completely underwater at high tide. The islands composing Three Rooker Bar are constantly changing in shape, size, and number of islands. Named for the historical three wooden structures (now gone) built on the bar for the collection of guano, Three Rooker Bar now exists as two small eroding islands. All the islands of Anclote Key State Park are important bird nesting, feeding, and resting areas. All the islands are accessible only by boat; there are no bridges or causeways leading to the islands. A State Park Ranger lives and works full time on Anclote Key. Visitors are encouraged to take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints.
Because Anclote Key and Three Rooker Bar are nature preserves, no dogs are allowed. This is primarily to protect the nesting and resting birds of the islands and other native island wildlife. North Bar, a sand spit north of Anclote Key is open for dogs on 6' leashes. Honeymoon Island to the south has a dog beach where dogs can play on 6' leashes as well.
Anclote Lighthouse
The lighthouse is a historic portion of the state park, owned and managed by the state park system and staff. The lighthouse is open for climbing during scheduled open houses that are run by the Friends of Anclote Key and during private tours, also run by the Friends of Anclote Key. Visitors can always walk up to the locked fence surrounding the lighthouse to get a close view on any given day from dawn to dusk. The pit toilet is closed due to hurricane damage. Educational signage and picnic tables are nearby for public use. Please see other pages of this website for more information about Open Houses, Private Tours, and History of the Lighthouse.
Camping
Anclote Key Preserve State Park is open for visitation throughout the islands, and primitive camping is allowed at the northern end of Anclote Key. Please be aware of the following:
- There is no electricity.
- There is no fresh water.
- Everything you need must be brought with you.
- There are no trash receptacles so all trash must be taken with you when you leave the island.
- The island is well known for its biting gnats, "no-see-ums," and mosquitoes, so plan accordingly.
- Shade is minimal, so plan for extreme sun exposure.
- No dogs are allowed anywhere on the island.
- No drones are allowed on or near the island.
- No alcohol is permitted on the island.
For more information about Anclote Key Preserve State Park, please visit:
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/anclote-key-preserve-state-park
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AncloteKeyLighthouse/
Many thanks to Friends Board member, Bobby Gause, for the photo at the top of our webpages and those below!
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