Myakka State Park serves as the perfect day trip to explore the local Sarasota wildlife and nature while enjoying your family vacation at our Siesta Key resort.
Myakka State Park is filled with many natural attractions, including hiking trails through the wetlands, wildlife viewing areas, tours and more for your family vacation to Siesta Key.
Overall, it’s less than an hour drive from your Siesta Key resort room —making it super easy to plan an outing exploring all it has to offer. With a plethora of outdoor activities, areas to explore and things to do, you will easily be able to fill a half or whole day with a trip there.
Welcome to the Park
Before exploring Myakka State Park, you’ll want to make sure to hit up the visitor’s center. Here you’ll find an overview of the history of the park, plus details on the plants and animals that you are likely to see.
You can expect to find lots of different birds, such as blue herons, hawks and osprey. You may even come across the opportunity to spot a bald eagle soaring beyond the high trees.
Keep your eyes out for armadillos, wild hogs, soft shell turtles, tree frogs, and much more. The vegetation within the park is also something to behold. The tall spiky trees are known as Longleaf Pines. You’ll also see many palm and oak trees.
You’ll want to make a stop at Alligator Point when you arrive at Myakka State Park. From the vantage point here, you’ll be able to see some of Florida’s famous gators basking in the sun, or slithering through the waters.
Weaving Nature Trails
Explore the miles and miles of hiking trails Myakka State Park has to offer. One of the most raved about trails is called Canopy Walkway. This trail is just under a mile long and takes you 25 feet above the park’s floor. For an even higher look at the beautiful landscape, climb the 75-foot tower to catch an amazing view.
The park also offers scenic airboat tours, which is quite a memorable family adventure. These tours will traverse along the shore and through the many intricate waterways. You’ll be able to see the wildlife and more of the marshes and wetlands up close and personal.
Many of these areas are difficult to find or even realistically possible to get to on foot, including some of the parts of Upper Myakka Lake. Your guide will tell you all about the freshwater lake, as well as information about the animals you will see, including alligators and sandhill cranes. The ride is safe and smooth, making the perfect pick for a family vacation. The tour lasts about an hour.
Another affordable tour option at Myakka State Park is the Tram Safari. It will take you into the far corners of the park and show you what life was like in Old Florida. Learn more about how early settlers lived in the area and more about how the ecosystem works.
If walking or boating isn’t what you’re looking for, grab a bike from the rental area and hit some of the paved bike trailed offered by the park. Shady and beautiful, this is a must for anyone who loves cycling.
The entrance fee for the park is just $2 to $6 per vehicle, and it is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The park is located at 13208 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241, southwest of Sarasota’s coastal area and east of Venice, FL.
Whether it’s the whole day, or just a few hours—the options for your family vacation day trip to Myakka State Park are endless. After visiting once, you’ll make sure to put it on your list of things to do every time you visit the area!
