Myakka River State Park Trail

Myakka River State Park encompasses 37,000 acres of wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands, making it one of Florida’s largest and most diverse state parks. The trail system includes the Myakka Canopy Walkway, a 100-foot-long suspension bridge and 74-foot observation tower providing rare views into the forest canopy and across the surrounding wilderness. The park’s Upper Myakka Lake supports large populations of alligators—often visible in impressive numbers—while the prairies and hammocks host deer, wild turkeys, and diverse bird life. Backcountry trails explore more remote areas where encounters with wildlife are frequent and other hikers rare. This park preserves a vast Florida landscape that provides genuine wilderness experiences within easy reach of Sarasota.