Home > Florida > Bradenton

Bradenton, Florida Parks.

The Little Manatee River State Park is a Bradenton, Florida park you won't want to miss. The canoeing is always great at this Bradenton, Florida park, but if that is not to your taste the trails are wonderful for seeing “The Real Florida.” Visit this Bradenton, Florida park to canoe, horseback ride or walk the trails, but make a point to come to Little Manatee River State Park.

This Bradenton, Florida park named for the river that flows through it, was acquired in 1974 to provide outdoor recreational opportunities in the Tampa Bay area. Since the Bradenton, Florida park opened in 1987, the river has been designated as an Outstanding Florida Water and is included in the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve. The Bradenton, Florida park comprises 2,400 acres on U.S. 301 along the Little Manatee River. Beginning in a swampy area east of Fort Lonesome in southeaster Hillsborough County, the river flows about 40 miles before emptying into Tampa Bay. The river's channel is generally well defined, and steep, sandy banks are observed throughout the Bradenton, Florida park. Little Manatee rises and falls with the tide and meanders through the park approximately 4.5 miles. Because the water begins in and flows through swampy areas, decaying vegetation stains the water. Water-level fluctuations are considerable, as this portion of the river is influenced both by tides and rainfall. The rising and falling water has swept away much of the natural debris and left the Little Manatee's banks with a scoured look.

Visitors to this park can explore the river by canoe and observe the area's scenic beauty and wildlife. Canoes are available for rent at the Ranger Station on a first come first serve basis.

If fishing is more to your liking, freshwater fishing opportunities at this park and include bass, bream and catfish.

Or if you are at this Bradenton, Florida park to get away from the water, the park has an 8 mile equestrian trail with four equestrian campsites and a 6.5-mile hiking trail that meanders through a diversity of habitats in the Bradenton, Florida park's northern wilderness area. A primitive camp, located along the trail, is available by reservation only. All hikers must register at the park's ranger station. This park's nature trails have been designated as the area's best hiking trails.

Lake Manatee State Park is a perfect example of the quiet and relaxed atmosphere of a Bradenton, Florida park that some of Florida's natural areas have to offer. Extending along three miles of the south shore of Lake Manatee, these 556 acres were once used for farming, cattle grazing, turpentining and timbering.

Today, the 2,400 acre reservoir that makes up Lake Manatee in this Bradenton, Florida park supplies drinking water to Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

The Lake Manatee offers excellent fishing. A variety of species are frequently caught, such as largemouth and sunshine bass, speckled perch, bluegill, shellcracker and catfish.

Be sure to check out Bradenton, Florida vacation rentals by owner beach houses and condos for luxurious, yet affordable accomodations - many times less than the cost of a cramped, stuffy, less-than-clean hotel room.

Bradenton, Florida Parks:

Lake Manatee State Park
20007 Hwy 64 East
Bradenton, Florida 34202
941.741.3028

Little Manatee River State Park
215 Lightfoot Road
Wimauma, Florida 33598
813.671.5005

Longwood Park
6050 Longwood Run Blvd
Sarasota, Florida
941.316.1383

Manatee Village Historical Prk
604 15th St E
Bradenton, Florida
941.741.4075

Newtown Estates Park
2800 Newtown Blvd
Sarasota, Florida
941.316.1161

Fort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S
St Petersburg, Florida
727.582.2267