Myakka State Park Sarasota
Where Wilderness Whispers...
by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 1/14/2025
Myakka State Park in Florida is a vast and captivating natural wonderland that encapsulates the essence of the Sunshine State's diverse landscapes. Encompassing over 37,000 acres of pristine wilderness, the park is one of the largest and oldest state parks in Florida, offering visitors a plethora of recreational opportunities and unforgettable experiences.
Hikers and nature enthusiasts can delight in the extensive network of trails that traverse the park's diverse ecosystems, each offering unique sights and encounters with Florida's native flora and fauna. The Canopy Walkway, a treetop suspended bridge, grants visitors a rare chance to observe the lush canopy from an elevated perspective.
Myakka River State Park, established in 1934, is one of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks, spanning over 37,000 acres of wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pine forests in Sarasota County. The park is centered around the Myakka River, one of Florida’s designated Wild and Scenic Rivers, which flows for 58 miles through the park and into Charlotte Harbor. The park is renowned for its diverse wildlife, scenic beauty, and historic structures that date back to the Great Depression era.
The park was developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Deal program that provided jobs during the Great Depression. The CCC workers built roads, bridges, picnic shelters, campgrounds, and the iconic log cabins still used today. Many of the park’s rustic buildings were constructed using local materials, such as palm logs and limestone, and are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Myakka River itself has been an essential waterway for Native American tribes for thousands of years. The region was home to the Calusa and Timucua peoples, who used the river for transportation, fishing, and hunting.
The park is home to diverse wildlife, including alligators, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, sandhill cranes, eagles, and the endangered Florida panther. The park’s Upper Myakka Lake and Lower Myakka Lake are popular spots for boating, fishing, and birdwatching.
Myakka State Park Sarasota Map
Myakka Lake InletMyakka Park Amenities
- Basketball
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Dog Park
- Gymnasium
- Horseshoes
- Indoor Rental
- Pickleball
- Picnicking
- Recreation Building
- Restroom
- Shelter / Pavilion
- Tennis
- Tennis Court
- Trails - Unpaved
Myakka Park Hours
- Hours: The park is open 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year.
- Admission: $6 per vehicle (two to eight people), $4 single-occupant vehicle.
Park Info, Storm Damage & Other Warnings
Exploring Myakka State Park
Visiting Myakka River State Park in Sarasota is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Florida's natural beauty. Here's what makes it so fun:
- Explore nature by land or water: Hike or bike along miles of trails that wind through forests, prairies, and wetlands. You can also kayak or canoe on the Myakka River, keeping an eye out for alligators, turtles, and a variety of birds.
- See wildlife up close: The park is home to a variety of animals, including alligators, manatees, bobcats, and otters. You might even see some of these creatures on a guided boat tour or while hiking or biking.
- Take a walk in the treetops: The park's canopy walkway offers stunning views of the forest from above. It's a great way to get a different perspective on the park's ecosystem.
- Learn about the park's history: The park has a rich history, dating back to the early 1900s. You can learn about the area's Native American inhabitants, the cattle ranching industry, and the Civilian Conservation Corps that helped develop the park.
- Relax and enjoy the scenery: Find a quiet spot by the lake or river to relax and soak up the Florida sunshine. The park is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Park Entrance
Park Notice Sign
Alligaors Nap Here
Park Placid Waterways
Park Kayakers
River Tour Gathering PostThe Myakka State Park is one of Florida's oldest and largest parks (58 square miles), easily accessed from I-75 via Clark Road (SR 72). This was Florida’s first state-designated wild and scenic river, and it flows through a vast expanse of unspoiled wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands that make up Myakka River State Park. Boating, fishing, canoeing and kayaking are popular activities on the water while hikers and bicyclists explore miles of trails and backroads.
Myakka Lake Inlet
Tour Gathering Post
Tour Boat Loading DockGlide through a pristine wilderness and get up close to Florida's incredible wildlife on a Myakka State Park boat or tram tour. Explore the park's crown jewel, the Myakka River, on a guided boat tour. Climb aboard a comfortable pontoon boat suitable for all ages and abilities. As you cruise the tea-colored waters, a knowledgeable guide will unveil the secrets of the ecosystem. Look out for prehistoric-looking alligators basking on the banks, or watch graceful birds like anhingas and osprey hunt for fish. Keep your eyes peeled for curious otters and playful river turtles. The tranquil boat tour offers a unique perspective of the lush scenery and provides fantastic opportunities to capture stunning photographs.
Complement your aquatic adventure with a narrated tram tour. This open-air tram ride ventures deep into the heart of the park, traversing prairies, wetlands, and oak hammocks. Your guide will point out a diverse array of animals, from majestic white-tailed deer to the elusive bobcat. Soar above the treetops on the thrilling canopy walkway, offering a bird's-eye view of the sprawling landscape.
Both the boat and tram tours are approximately one hour long and fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Offered multiple times a day, these tours are a fantastic way to learn about the park's delicate balance and witness the wonders of Florida's natural heritage. Whether you're a seasoned nature enthusiast or a curious first-timer, Myakka State Park's boat and tram tours promise an unforgettable adventure for the whole family.
You should visit the Florida State Parks Myakka Page for more information & pricing for the boat or tram tours.
Bird Investigating Alligator
Bird Investigating Alligator
Bird Investigating AlligatorThe above images were taken at the bridge that crosses over the Myakka River. This white bird walked all around that alligator several times, and at no time did the alligator move. Eventually the bird decided to move on, and by doing so, it probably avoided becoming that alligator's lunch.
More Info for Myakka State Park
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- The creation of some portions of this page's narrative text were assisted by OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model].
Sarasota Area Parks we've Visited
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