It doesn’t always feel like it but there is so much more to Florida than beaches and amusement parks! So if beaches aren’t your thing or if you just need a change of scenery for a day then head over to Myakka River State Park in Sarasota. It is only 30 minutes from one of the top beaches in the US and lots of great restaurants and museums.
One of the best things to do here is visit the Myakka River State Park canopy walk where you can get a birds eye view of Florida’s forests. Although this trail is very short, it is a fun and unique way to see more of the area.
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About the Park
Myakka State Park is one of the largest and oldest state parks in Florida. The land used to be a cattle ranch before it was purchased by the park system.
The waters are filled with alligators but you can also find deer, racoons, hawks and bobcats just to name a few animals that call the park their home. There is so much to explore here from prairies to rivers, lakes and wetlands.
About the Myakka River State Park Canopy Walk
The Myakka Canopy Walkway was completed in 2000 and was the first public canopy walk in North America! Pretty exciting stuff, and now people could walk among the tree canopy and observe the wildlife there.
The canopy walk is a small part of the William S. Boylston Nature Trail which takes you on a small loop on the ground. If you don’t want to walk through the entire loop then you can simply walk from the parking lot, to the walkway and then back out the way you came. Both ways are short and take less than 10-15 minutes on a flat easy trail.
The actual Myakka Canopy Walkway itself is actually a really short hike. There are two towers with the walkway in between. The walkway, or swinging bridge, is 25 ft high and only 100 ft long.
The end tower is one that you can climb to the top of and see above the trees. It is 74 ft tall and in Florida where there is almost no elevation change this allows you to see for miles! The view was stunning and actually my favorite part of the experience.
Getting to Myakka River State Park
You will need a car to get to Myakka State Park. If you are visiting from outside of Florida then I recommend flying into the Sarasota airport or the Tampa airport. Tampa is an hour and a half drive away.
General Information
Hours: 8 am to Sunset
Address: 13208 State Road 72 Sarasota, FL 34241
Phone: 941-361-6511
Entrance Fee
There is a small entrance fee into the park of $6 per car with up to 8 people included. Anymore than 8 people incurs an extra cost of $2 per person.
More To Do Nearby:
- Super Fun One Day Sarasota, FL Itinerary
- The Ultimate Guide to Beaches In and Around Tampa Bay
- 14 Fun Day Trips from Tampa, FL
Amenities at Myakka River State Park
The hiking trails are beautiful and that is why we visited Myakka State Park but there are so many activities that you can take part of when you visit.
You can take wildlife and nature tours, go kayaking, ride through miles of biking trails, go boating or fishing or even horseback riding. Throughout the park you can try wildlife viewing so keep an eye out to see what native animals you can spot.
There are also restrooms for public use and campgrounds if you want to come visit overnight or stay for a weekend trip. The park store sells souvenirs, snacks and ice cream!
Tips
- Like just about anywhere you visit in Florida sunscreen is a good idea. The sun is strong and sunburns aren’t fun. In addition, you may want to use some insect repellent. We did not encounter too many bugs but you are out in the wilderness and the bugs are worse at different times of year.
- Along the same lines, make sure you bring plenty of water. Walking around in the heat will make you dehydrated after a while so make sure you stay safe.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking especially if you plan on doing more hikes than just the canopy walk. The trail other than the canopy section is dusty and covered in plants and roots. Closed toed shoes are great but sporty sandals will work just fine as well, you’ll just end up with dirty feet like I did.
- There are alligators around, just be aware of that. But if you don’t bother them then they won’t bother you.
- If you want to use the “viewer” at the top of the observation tower make sure to bring some quarters along.
Is Myakka State Park Dog Friendly?
Yes, dogs are allowed inside Myakka State Park as long as they are leashed. Just use caution because there are alligators around.
How Physically Fit Do I Need to Be?
The trail is flat and easy, but the canopy walk requires climbing up over 100 steps. I would say it is still an easy to moderate activity.
Practical Information for Sarasota, Florida
Find accommodation, sign up for a local tour, or buy your Florida Travel Guide.
Myakka River State Park Canopy Walk
Although the Myakka River State Park Canopy Walk hike is a short one it was a lot of fun, and since the entrance fee to the park is only $6 I felt it was very worth a visit. If you are in the Sarasota area for any reason then the 30 minute drive out to Myakka is an easy decision.
