NAPLES BEACH
Where
The Naples area promises a staggering 40 beach accesses, including North Gulfshore Beach Access. Lowdermilk Park ranks among the finest, and is located at 1301 Gulfshore Blvd North, Naples, FL 34102.
Vibe
Amenity-rich area favorite that’s a good fit for families. Calm water, spectacular sunsets and perks like changing rooms, a concession and parking make Lowdermilk Park popular with families-- and everyone else who’s in need of a salt water baptism. Expect some crowds, but not a party atmosphere.
See, feel
Lush, green spaces with palms everywhere welcome you to Lowdermilk Park, complete with winding paths, a duck pond, and a sculpture of leaping dolphins. The beach is a pristine, white-sand wonder that reaches across 1000 feet of shoreline, dotted with tiki huts and beach umbrellas, and bordered by dunes resplendent with sea oats and sea grapes. Here, you might see kids hunting for shells; beachgoers wading into the tranquil, shallow water to cool off; and couples gathering to watch the fiery, romantic sunsets over the waves. While the water is normally calm, winds, tides and offshore systems may occasionally cause conditions to be rough.
On or near the beach
Come on in: the water’s fine, and perfect for the young, old, or those timid about the water. Soaking up the sun, shelling, and relaxing are popular ways to enjoy the beach, but you can up the energy with a game of sand volleyball, rent a kayak or stand-up-paddleboard, or go for a stroll by the waves. Fuel the fun at Flip Flops concession, boasting shaded picnic tables with a view of the shoreline.
Accessibility
Lowdermilk Park features ADA beach access mats, and the concession offers rental beach wheelchairs. Disability permit holders may park at any space for free.
Facilities
Amenities at Lowdermilk Park include sand volleyball courts; a children's playground; picnic tables; benches; restroom and shower facilities; ADA beach access mats; and two gazebos for rent. Sited beachside in the middle of the park, Flip Flops Beach Grill serves up burgers, sandwiches and salads; and offers beach rentals including chairs, umbrellas, kayaks and SUP.
Lifeguards
Lowdermilk doesn’t have lifeguards. Swim at your own risk.
Parking
Lowdermilk’s parking lot can fill quickly, so arrive early or you may have to wait for a space. Visitors are required to have a City of Naples beach parking permit or pay-by-space. Here’s information about parking at Lowdermilk as well as other area beaches; here are quick parking tips. Disability permit holders may park at any space for free.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LOWDERMILK PARK IN NAPLES
Q. Where is Lowdermilk Park located in Naples?
A. Lowdermilk Park sits at 1301 Gulfshore Blvd. North in Naples, Fla., along the Gulf coast on the city's northern residential beachfront.
It's one of the most fully developed of Naples' 40-plus public beach access points, about one mile north of the Naples Pier along the waterline.
Q. What are the hours and parking rates at Lowdermilk Park?
A. The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., with parking managed by automated gate arms at the entrance.
Parking is by the hour, payable by the space, and you can also purchase a City of Naples beach parking permit for frequent visits. Here’s information about parking fees at Lowdermilk as well as other area beaches; here are quick parking tips. Disability permit holders may park at any space for free. The lot fills on major holidays and some winter weekends; the gates may close when the park reaches capacity.
For current conditions, call the City of Naples Parks department at 239-213-3029, or check current hours, fees, and availability on the Visit Naples listing for Lowdermilk Park.
Q. What makes Lowdermilk Park stand out from Naples' other public beaches?
A. Lowdermilk Park stands out by having 1,000 feet of Gulf shoreline, two volleyball courts, two children's playgrounds, a duck pond with winding paths, rentable gazebos, and a working concession stand on site.
It's great for bringing the whole family to for a full day, not just a quick swim.
The sunsets here are everything Naples beach sunsets are supposed to be: unobstructed Gulf views with the sky going orange and pink across open water, and enough room on the beach to spread out and watch without crowds pressing in.
Q. What amenities are available at Lowdermilk Park?
A. Amenities include two sand volleyball courts, two children's playgrounds, picnic tables, benches, a duck pond with walking paths, restrooms, outdoor showers and two rentable gazebos.
The park has ADA beach access mats that extend onto the sand, and beach wheelchairs are available for rent.
For gazebo rentals or additional questions, check out Lowdermilk Park’s website.
Q. Is there food or beach gear available at Lowdermilk Park?
A. Yes. A beach concession in the park serves burgers, sandwiches and salads.
The same stand also rents beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, so you can arrive without gear and still have a full day on the water.
Q. What are the water conditions at Lowdermilk Park?
A. The beach fronts the Gulf with the calm, warm and shallow water Naples is known for, making it comfortable for swimmers of most ability levels.
There are no lifeguards on duty; swimming is at your own risk.
Winds, tides and offshore systems can occasionally rough up the water, so check conditions on arrival and keep an eye on younger swimmers when chop picks up. Make sure to check the beach flags before entering the water.
Q. What attractions are near Lowdermilk Park?
A. The historic Naples Pier is about one mile south along the beach, but it’s closed as it’s currently undergoing a reconstruction project following Hurricane Ian damage.
Fifth Avenue South, the main dining and shopping corridor in Old Naples, is a short drive or bike ride from the park and has a broad range of restaurants, galleries and boutiques.
Third Street South, another high-end outdoor shopping and dining district, is about the same distance and often less crowded than Fifth Avenue.
Q. Is Lowdermilk Park good for families?
A. It's one of the best family beach options in Naples: the water is shallow and calm, the playgrounds give younger kids something to do when they've had enough sand, and the volleyball courts keep older ones occupied.
No lifeguards are on duty, so you'll want to keep close watch on young swimmers, especially on afternoons when offshore breezes pick up.
The combination of on-site food, gear rentals and a full park layout means you don't need to haul in a carload of supplies to have a real beach day.
Q. When is the best time to visit Lowdermilk Park?
A. November through April is Naples' high season: winter visitors and snowbirds fill the region, but the beach itself stays manageable even during the busiest months, and the weather is consistently ideal.
Summer (June through September) is hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms most days; the beach is noticeably less crowded but requires keeping one eye on the sky.
October through April often brings cooler temperatures, lower humidity and clearer weather, making sunset viewing especially pleasant.
Q. Is Lowdermilk Park good for shelling?
A. The Gulf beach at Lowdermilk Park produces the scattered shell finds typical of southwest Florida's coast: sand dollars, scallop shells and the occasional olive or conch fragment after rough weather.
For dedicated shelling, the beach south of the Naples Pier and the barrier island beaches further south (Marco Island, Tigertail Beach) are consistently more productive.
Collecting live shells is prohibited on all Florida public beaches.
Q. Is Lowdermilk Park accessible?
A. The park has ADA beach access mats extending onto the sand and accessible restrooms. The concession rents beach wheelchairs.
Disability permit holders receive free parking at the park.
Call the City of Naples Parks department at 239-213-3029 to confirm current accessibility equipment availability before your visit.
