The Calusa Blueway is fortunate to have several state parks along its trail that sparkle 365 days a year, and on Wednesday there is free admission to all of them.

We have Koreshan State Park on the Estero River, Cayo Costa State Park out on Pine Island Sound and Lovers Key State Park, which straddles Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida State Parks will offer free day-use entry to all state park visitors on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in recognition of Veterans Day.

“We are proud to celebrate the men and women whose heroic service enables us to enjoy this wonderful country and its natural treasures,” said Bob Ballard, DEP Deputy Secretary for Land and Recreation.

Another official in Tallahassee put it this way: “We hope that all of Florida’s citizens and visitors will take advantage of this day to experience the state’s natural and cultural gems while honoring our dedicated service men and women,” said DEP’s Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock.

By the way, all other use fees, such as overnight accommodations, tours or special events, will be charged as usual. And if you’re traveling the Gulf Cost on Wednesday, know that the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park in St. Petersburg is not included in this special offer.

We’re lucky to have three state parks here in Lee County where the Calusa Blueway is. Florida's state park system is one of the largest in the country with 160 parks, most of which are open 365 days a year. Florida's state parks, which span more than 700,000 acres and include more than 100 miles of sandy white beach, provide an affordable outing for people of all ages.

Even if you can’t get out there for Veterans Day, remember to visit soon.

Koreshan offers an Old Florida feel with a shady launch site. Cayo Costa is just a daytrip paddle away from Pine Island. Lovers Key has three different launch sites and many amenities for kayakers and nature lovers.

To follow Florida's state parks on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/FLStateParks. For more information about Florida's state parks, visit www.floridastateparks.org. And remember, clicking around this blueway site lets you garner information about the Calusa Blueway launches and landings at these state parks along the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.