Stump Pass Beach State Park — Attraction in Englewood

Love the place! Not as commercial not as crowded. It's just a nice kept quiet beach. I love that I can find shark teeth easily here. Idk if it's because of the storms over the last two years or more people collecting them. To me it looks like the county or state people may have *re-sanded" the beaches due to storms, because they are becoming harder to find on the other beaches. Yes you can still find them but not as easy as they once were. And just a few years ago meaning 2 or 3 this beach wasn't all white sugar sand as it is now either back then it was the sugar sand mixed with MANY BITS AND PIECES OF TEETH making it look more brown than known and common of the white sugar sand. That's why I didn't rate it 5 cuz I was disappointed! Before you could put your towel/sheet/blanket/chair whatever down ANYWHERE ON THE BEACH NO YARDS AWAY FROM THE SHORELINE not even having to " dig down" to " HUNT" FOR TEETH there just was that many! Now you have to dig around to find them. Where it's now just better to stay close to the shore line if you don't want to walk and hunt. ( Personally I like to move about where I like to look at the waters edge or out up to knees with a scooper and sifter 😜) Those really big nice teeth are usually found out even deeper but sometimes you get lucky! If you do get lucky you're not far from parking take it and lock it up! Do to the unfortunate of those who are disrespectful where It has only happened to me once, I feel safe saying it's a rarity since I have lived in FL for 40+ yrs and frequent the beaches often but it only takes the one time to lose your prized find! I had found a real treasure! , way up on shore too a tooth that was 4" long it was a good 1/4" or more thick too! I was elated. It was so old it had no color left, where it had been sun bleached white I actually stubbed my toe on it and thought it was rock or a hunk or concrete at first as most of it was buried I was just going to pick it up and move it so no one else would stub their toe! And holy cow I forgot about the pain once I picked it up! Anyone who saw it could clearly see without a doubt a huge old shark tooth. I had nothing to "hide it in" it was big! And yes once I called my daughter to come look many others came to see the find. And happily I shared the rare sight of this rare find. Never once did I give thought that someone would steal this from me. I just didnt because I'm not a thief I just don't think like that. Unfortunately I do now! I had set it inside my covered wagon where I even kept it tied closed. Yes, I do keep my belongings in a manner to deter them while giving some protection. I mean that's just normal to do for me, I was raised to be cautious and aware but admittedly I never used to give much thought to think like a criminal. The lesson is TO PROTECT YOU AND YOURS it's wise to learn how to think like a criminal so that you have a better sense in the actions you take! Some scummy slimy bottom of the barrel stole my treasured find! Now I hope it wasn't my once in a lifetime where that harmed my faith in people I am holding faith in that it wasn't meant for me where the best has yet come but will one fine sweet day! Ya never know maybe you...

Stump Pass Beach State Park •Entrance Fee: Vehicles: $3/car Pedestrians/Bicyclists: $2 covers 8 individuals NO DOGS....allowed on trails ONLY. No beaches/nor water's edge. Service animals welcome everywhere, Leashed & well-behaved!

•Visitors Advisory: Kindly be aware Stump Pass Beach State Park closes at SUNSET NOT at 8pm as indicated on Google Maps. It's advisable to verify SUNSET time for day of your visit! Additionally, can consult Park's Closure sign displayed along front entrance road as You drive in. Do Not find yourself inside park after dark, for Park Mgt. does LOCK gates promptly. Note also: due to potential encounters w/ mosquitoes + no-seeums.

•Note of Caution: The intercoastal side: Peterson Cut, also known as "Ski Alley," lacks a designated no-wake zone. It's recommended to engage in activities such as kayaking + stand-up paddleboarding during early mornings/wkdays for a more tranquil experience, as high-speed boating, water skiing, & personal watercraft run @ High speeds evenings/weekends.

May find it preferable to paddle over to east side of Peterson Island/ Whidden Key for Quieter experience.

•Please be advised pets are permitted ONLY on the Park trail + Not allowed on beaches or at waters edges. Restroom facilities are not accessible to pets. Service animals, as mandated by law, are welcome in ALL areas of the park. All pets must be leashed, well-behaved at all times.

•Visitors are reminded that the collection of live shells, including hermit crabs, sand dollars, etc. is strictly Prohibited.

•Throughout your visit, you may have opportunity to observe a diverse array of wildlife, including west Indian manatees, dolphins, gopher tortoises, sea turtles (nesting season: betwn May 1- Oct 31 yearly), herons, ibises, snowy egrets, Least + Royal terns, Black skimmers, ospreys, eagles, frigatebirds, as of course: the frequent gulls + pelicans.

•No drones are allowed to launch/fly w/in State Park boundaries •Metal-Detecting devices allowed only along shoreline, not in Park boundaries: would have to get MGT...

I wish I could give it 100 stars. This park is now my favorite....sorry Fort Clinch! I always go to Casperson when I'm on the West Coast of Florida, to look for shark's teeth. For some reason and maybe it was because I was coming from fort Lauderdale instead of my home in Melbourne but I got off at this exit and I wanted to see stump pass. I am so glad I followed my instincts. First, there is not a lot of parking so you're going to want to get here early but that's a good thing, that means..... less people. When I was walking there was rarely anyone near me and at the end of the day.... I think I was the only person.. I saw on the beach, walking back, and I love that. I did see the ranger riding up and down the beach which is always nice knowing that there is someone there. Because I did not plan this trip...i didn't get to walk all the way to the pass.... but I plan on coming back very soon. I have been to the Venice area countless times and I have to say Stump Pass had better sharks teeth, this day.... then Venice and Caspersen. I can't wait to go back not only were there sharks teeth but there were beautiful shells similar to Caya Costa and Captiva.... I'm so excited to get back there that I'm planning a trip to fort Lauderdale next weekend, for business but I have a feeling I'm going to get on alligator Alley the wrong way on the way home so that I can stop by Stump Pass again... It's an 5-hour detour but it'll be...