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Fort Cooper State Park
3100 S. Old Floral City Rd.
Inverness, 34450
(352) 726-0315
Driving Directions
Fort Cooper State Park is located just off US41,
on South Old Floral City Road, two miles south
of Inverness.
Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until
sundown 365 days a year.
Lake Holathlikaha is the heart of Fort Cooper
State Park. Spring-fed and crystal-clear, the
160 acre lake lured battle-weary volunteers to
its banks in 1836, where they built and defended
a frontier fort. Today, it charms thousands of
visitors each year with its unique blend of beauty
and history.
Fort Cooper provides refuge for a multitude of animals and plants species. Areas are managed to restore and perpetuate conditions of original habitat which are necessary for the survival of all native populations, especially those threatened with extinction.
Fort Cooper’s spring-fed Lake Holathikaha, the swamp and marsh areas, the hardwood hammock, and the sandhill communities provide habitat for extensive wildlife.
Some of the plants that are resident to Fort Cooper include the Ebony Spleenwort, Florida Arrowroot, Netted Chain Fern, and Simpson Zepher Lily.
Resources
Two historic sites exist within the park, the
Fort Copper site and the Fort King Military Trail.
The Fort Cooper site warrants nomination to the
National Register of Historic Places for two reasons.
Excavations at the site have yielded, and are
likely to continue to yield, additional information
about the design and construction of a Second
Seminole War fort. Also, the site is associated
with events that constitute a broad pattern in
Florida history in that the Second Seminole War
had important ramifications and was a major impact
on the Territorial period of Florida history.
Wildlife
The following are residents to the varied habitat
of Fort Cooper State Park:
Amphibians and reptiles – Alligator Snapping Turtle, American Alligator, Eastern Indigo Snake, Florida Pine Snake, Short-tailed Snake, and Florida Gopher Frog
Birds – Brown Pelican, American Kestrel, Florida Sandhill Crane, Limpkin, Merlin, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork.
Mammals – Bobcat, Florida Mouse, and Sherman’s Fox Squirrel
Park Activities
Youth Camping,
Canoeing, Fishing, Nature Trails, Picnicking, Swimming,
and Wildlife Viewing
Tent camping only at the southern end of Lake Holathalikaha.
Canoeing
Enjoy the 160-acre Lake Holathlikaha. Canoe and paddle boat rentals are available.
Fishing
Nature Trails
Nearly five miles of self-guided nature trails give
visitors a glimpse of the area's wildlife.
Picnicking
The hardwood hammock is an excellent picnic area
complete with grills, tables, and pavillions. The
beach area accommodates volleyball, horseshoe, and
playground activities.
Swimming
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