Myakka River State Park
Myakka River SP
13208 S.R. 72 Sarasota, FL 34241
http://www.FloridaStateParks.org/MyakkaRiver
Lots of hiking, biking, camping, horse back riding, kayaking and canoeing opportunities here! Hiking here in the summer months is a challenge but still worth it just be smart. Watch out for flooding during the rainy season. Biking off the main road is flat sandy terrain that makes for some challenging biking.
There is a trail here for everyone! My elderly parents can't get out and hike so I took them on the Tram ride to show them natural Florida. There is also an air boat ride on the lake.
6 primitive campsites - most have some shade and seclusion. Leave Fido at home and there is a small fee. Small campfires are permitted and bring your own drinking water.
There are some awesome historic palm log cabins for rent and a full facility campground.
Deep Hole is a short 2.2 mile hike from the Wilderness Preserve parking lot. We saw at least 50 gators out here and most were 9ft or bigger! You need a permit from the State Park office to park and hike out here. There is little shade on the trail but if you like to see lots of gators, birds and boars this is a must do!
13208 S.R. 72 Sarasota, FL 34241
http://www.FloridaStateParks.org/MyakkaRiver
Lots of hiking, biking, camping, horse back riding, kayaking and canoeing opportunities here! Hiking here in the summer months is a challenge but still worth it just be smart. Watch out for flooding during the rainy season. Biking off the main road is flat sandy terrain that makes for some challenging biking.
There is a trail here for everyone! My elderly parents can't get out and hike so I took them on the Tram ride to show them natural Florida. There is also an air boat ride on the lake.
6 primitive campsites - most have some shade and seclusion. Leave Fido at home and there is a small fee. Small campfires are permitted and bring your own drinking water.
There are some awesome historic palm log cabins for rent and a full facility campground.
Deep Hole is a short 2.2 mile hike from the Wilderness Preserve parking lot. We saw at least 50 gators out here and most were 9ft or bigger! You need a permit from the State Park office to park and hike out here. There is little shade on the trail but if you like to see lots of gators, birds and boars this is a must do!
Deer Prairie Creek Preserve
Deer Prairie Creek Preserve
North Entrance - 7001 Forbes Trail Venice, FL 34292
South Entrance - 10201 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34293
Great biking here! This 6,439 - acre preserve located along the Myakka River has tons of shade to take a break in. There are over 70 miles of trails, most are unpaved sandy trails that can be difficult to bike in but that's half the fun and challenge!
There is also good hiking and horse back riding here. It's best during the dry season but if you go out in the summer be smart! There are pine flatwoods, prairie hammocks and seasonal wetlands. You can see tons a wide variety of wildlife species including -alligators, gopher tortoises, wild turkey, river otter, swallow-tailed kite, Florida scrub-jays and the native flowing plants are spectacular too! If your into mycology check this place out!
We've had trails blocked by cattle. They weren't moving so we had to backtrack and take another trail around.
This preserve usually isn't too busy so check it out! Again bring your own drinking water and use the bathroom before getting here.
North Entrance - 7001 Forbes Trail Venice, FL 34292
South Entrance - 10201 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34293
Great biking here! This 6,439 - acre preserve located along the Myakka River has tons of shade to take a break in. There are over 70 miles of trails, most are unpaved sandy trails that can be difficult to bike in but that's half the fun and challenge!
There is also good hiking and horse back riding here. It's best during the dry season but if you go out in the summer be smart! There are pine flatwoods, prairie hammocks and seasonal wetlands. You can see tons a wide variety of wildlife species including -alligators, gopher tortoises, wild turkey, river otter, swallow-tailed kite, Florida scrub-jays and the native flowing plants are spectacular too! If your into mycology check this place out!
We've had trails blocked by cattle. They weren't moving so we had to backtrack and take another trail around.
This preserve usually isn't too busy so check it out! Again bring your own drinking water and use the bathroom before getting here.
Hillsborough River State Park
Hillsborough River SP
15402 North US Highway 301 Thonotosassa, FL 33592
I love this park for camping, hiking and canoeing. It's not far from Tampa so you can enjoy some city activities and retire to peaceful natural surroundings. I'd recommend saying screw the city and just hang out at the park as long as you can! There is plenty to do here. They have a huge swimming pool, 7.3 miles of hiking trails and reasonably priced canoe rentals.
Biking is limited here and Flatwoods is nearby go there to bike it's much better.
This is a family friendly park which is good or bad depending on how much you like to drink around the campfire at night. Campsites aren't spread out and RV and tents are mixed together. Good concessions and bathrooms here. Overall it's a great park.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/hillsboroughriver/aboutthepark.cfm
15402 North US Highway 301 Thonotosassa, FL 33592
I love this park for camping, hiking and canoeing. It's not far from Tampa so you can enjoy some city activities and retire to peaceful natural surroundings. I'd recommend saying screw the city and just hang out at the park as long as you can! There is plenty to do here. They have a huge swimming pool, 7.3 miles of hiking trails and reasonably priced canoe rentals.
Biking is limited here and Flatwoods is nearby go there to bike it's much better.
This is a family friendly park which is good or bad depending on how much you like to drink around the campfire at night. Campsites aren't spread out and RV and tents are mixed together. Good concessions and bathrooms here. Overall it's a great park.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/hillsboroughriver/aboutthepark.cfm
Myakka Scrub Preserve
Myakka Scrub Preserve 251 Myakka Rd., Sarasota, FL, 34240
We stumbled upon this preserve one day driving to Myakka City, FL. It's a little park with about 4 miles of trails. The trails aren't maintained and markers were hard to find. Wildlife out here was great and there were a few benches along trails to chill out on. We didn't see any other people while we were here and I really doubt if this place is ever busy.
No facilities, camping or much going on at this park but you can get some solitude here if that's what your looking for.
We stumbled upon this preserve one day driving to Myakka City, FL. It's a little park with about 4 miles of trails. The trails aren't maintained and markers were hard to find. Wildlife out here was great and there were a few benches along trails to chill out on. We didn't see any other people while we were here and I really doubt if this place is ever busy.
No facilities, camping or much going on at this park but you can get some solitude here if that's what your looking for.
Myakka State Forest
Myakka State Forest
2000 South River Road Englewood, Florida 34223
Great biking and hiking here during the dry season. This place is huge, 8,593 acres with over 19 miles of (poorly) marked trails.
There are four primitive camp sites throughout the forest one is right by the river. Solitude here for sure and great wildlife viewing! Flying A campground is off Shell Rd and provides fire rings, picnic tables, and a grill. The sites here have a little privacy and shade! No other facilities, bring some TP and drinking water.
The Florida Forest Service has done an excellent job preserving this forest. Take a compass and plenty of water. There are many depression marshes scattered throughout the flatwoods so wear proper shoes and bug spray.
2000 South River Road Englewood, Florida 34223
Great biking and hiking here during the dry season. This place is huge, 8,593 acres with over 19 miles of (poorly) marked trails.
There are four primitive camp sites throughout the forest one is right by the river. Solitude here for sure and great wildlife viewing! Flying A campground is off Shell Rd and provides fire rings, picnic tables, and a grill. The sites here have a little privacy and shade! No other facilities, bring some TP and drinking water.
The Florida Forest Service has done an excellent job preserving this forest. Take a compass and plenty of water. There are many depression marshes scattered throughout the flatwoods so wear proper shoes and bug spray.
Robinson Preserve
Robinson Preserve
1704 99th Street Northwest
Bradenton, FL 34209
Good place to take a leisurely bike ride or walk. The paved trail is just wide enough for foot and bike traffic with a few bridges to give a bit of a challenge to biking. Hours are sunrise to sunset.
There is camping within the preserve. Sites are small with little privacy. There is a nice paddle trail with outlets to the Manatee River, Perico Bayou and Palma Sola Bay. Dogs on a leash are allowed on the trails. You can see the Sunshine Skyway from the observation tower. Great opportunities for bird watching and photography. Bring water, sunblock and a hat since most of the trail is not shaded.
1704 99th Street Northwest
Bradenton, FL 34209
Good place to take a leisurely bike ride or walk. The paved trail is just wide enough for foot and bike traffic with a few bridges to give a bit of a challenge to biking. Hours are sunrise to sunset.
There is camping within the preserve. Sites are small with little privacy. There is a nice paddle trail with outlets to the Manatee River, Perico Bayou and Palma Sola Bay. Dogs on a leash are allowed on the trails. You can see the Sunshine Skyway from the observation tower. Great opportunities for bird watching and photography. Bring water, sunblock and a hat since most of the trail is not shaded.