When people think of Sarasota, Florida, they often imagine beaches like Siesta Key. But just 20 miles inland is Myakka River State Park, one of Florida’s oldest and biggest state parks, filled with nature and adventure.
The park has beautiful wetlands, wildflower-covered prairies, and a wild river full of birds like limpkins and ospreys. You can also see live oak trees covered with Spanish moss.
For adventure lovers, the park offers fishing, boating, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Anglers can catch fish like blue tilapia and walking catfish. There are boat tours on Upper Myakka Lake and rentals for kayaks and paddleboards. (Permits are needed for some kayaking areas.)
Myakka is also great for hiking and biking. There are paved roads for cyclists and dirt trails for mountain bikers. The famous Myakka Trail is a nearly 39-mile loop, but visitors can also take shorter hikes.
Guided boat, tram, and wildlife tours are also available to learn more about the park.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. The best times to visit are early spring and late fall when the weather is cooler.
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