MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK

By  Mike Miller July 28, 2025

Myakka River State Park in Sarasota, Florida, spans 37,000 acres or 58 square miles. It is one of Florida’s largest and oldest state parks.

The Myakka River, a central feature, flows through wetlands, prairies, and forests. Visitors can hike, bike, kayak, camp, or take airboat tours.

The park offers wildlife viewing, including alligators and birds. A canopy walkway provides elevated views of the landscape.  

Canopy Walkway at Myakka River State Park

The park was established in 1941 with land from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

Native Americans, likely the Calusa, used the area for fishing and hunting thousands of years ago.

In the 19th century, settlers grazed cattle on the prairies. The CCC built cabins, roads, and a dam in the 1930s, shaping the park’s early infrastructure.

During World War II, the park served as a training ground for the Army Air Corps. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.  

Myakka River State Park is at 13208 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241, nine miles east of I-75.

It’s open daily from 8 AM to sunset. Call (941) 361-6511 for updates, as flooding can close trails and hurricanes can cause lasting damage requiring repairs.

The park has a 7-mile scenic drive, 39 miles of hiking trails, and a 14-mile bike loop. Kayak and canoe rentals are available at the ranger station.

Airboat tours run daily; book at (941) 365-0100. The 80-foot canopy walkway and tower are free to access from within the park.

Pets are allowed on leashes. Check their website for events like guided bird walks. 

• The Myakka River is one of only two rivers in Florida designated as a Wild and Scenic River.  

• The park’s canopy walkway, built in 2000, was Florida’s first public treetop trail. 

• Over 100 bird species, including roseate spoonbills, nest in the park’s wetlands.  

• The park’s Deep Hole, a 130-foot-deep sinkhole, attracts hundreds of alligators during dry seasons.  

• The CCC built the log cabins in the 1930s and they’re still used for camping today.

MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK WEBSITE