Sarasota Adventure Paddling and Camping
Watch Florida Alligators at Myakka River State Park
Sep 10, 2009
Myakka River State Park's 58 square miles of pristine wetlands, pine forests, and prairie also feature:
- Canoe and kayak rentals
- Hike-in primitive campgrounds or full facility family camping with kids
- Freshwater fishing
- Biking and hiking trails (with bike rentals)
- Guided airboat and tram tours
- Educational programs
- Wooden sky walk and lookout tower
- Rustic pine log cabins.
Canoeing and Kayaking with Florida Alligators
The best part of Myakka River State Park is watching Florida alligators from the safety of a canoe or kayak. Some of the most adventurous and scenic canoeing and kayaking in Florida happen within Myakka River State Park where both the Upper Myakka Lake and 15 miles of Myakka River trails allow paddlers to see Florida alligators up close. Paddlers bring their own boats or rent them at the Myakka River Outpost boat ramp ($20 the first hour, $5 each additional hour). The ramp is opposite a small, sunny river bank where prehistoric Florida alligators sun themselves at a safe distance. For more adventurous alligator watchers, late fall and early winter are the perfect seasons for paddling alongside the Florida alligators as they move slowly in the chilly temperatures of November through February.
Full Facility Camping and Kids' Programs
Families come to watch Florida alligators, and they stay overnight in Myakka River State Park's five 1930's-era cabins, or one of 76 full facility campsites that include electricity and fresh water. The campsites are packed pretty close together, but families who are camping with kids rarely stay near their tents for long. Myakka River State Park features unique educational programs for kids that include Ranger and Junior Ranger Programs that reward kids with an earned badge. Three full playgrounds and 37 miles of groomed nature trails give families and other Florida wildlife lovers plenty of natural habitat to explore. And kids can enjoy the tree-top catwalk that includes a long stairway climb up the unique 74-foot wooden tower where a panoramic view over Florida wetlands awaits.
Reservations for Camping and Watching Florida Alligators
Myakka River State Park is managed by the Florida State Park service. Other parks include Wekiva Springs State Park that is close to Orlando, Florida's Disney World and Universal Studios, which may be more convenient for camping with kids who want theme park experiences as well. The cost to access Myakka River State Park's campgrounds and paddling trails is $2-6 for the day. Overnight campsites are available for $26 per night ($5 for primitive campsites). Pine log cabins are $70 per night (and sleep 6 comfortably), and air boat or tram tours are $6-$12 per person. Spring and summer campers should check ahead to make sure periodic flooding does not ruin a planned trip. Fall and winter camper-paddlers can go ahead and make reservations at Myakka River State Park and enjoy the Florida alligator watching adventure of a lifetime.
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