Parks / Preserves
Sarasota County parks deliver some of the most beautiful wildlife and trails in Florida. Bay Island Park offers Siesta Key views and recreational fishing on Sarasota Bay. While Blackburn Point Park is perfect for manatee and bird watching.
Legacy Trail
Jump on the ten mile Legacy Trail and travel from Sarasota to Venice, through Oscar Scherer State Park. The paved trail is perfect for bicycling and rollerblading. Wildlife viewing along the trail is excellent – look...
Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center
This is a marvelous place to see American bald eagles and a variety of local birds. The park also features scenic views of Lemon Bay, a butterfly garden, nature trails and an environmental center. Classes, as well as guided...
Lido Beach Park
Lido is among the State’s top-rated beaches. Scenic views of the Gulf of Mexico and “sugar” sand beaches make this a popular destination. If bird watching is your favorite hobby, this is a good spot to see...
Manasota Beach Park
This is a wonderful place to spend your leisure time, whether you are interested in swimming, boating, fishing, walking, or collecting shells. Located at the north end of Manasota Key, it is also a quaint place to picnic and...
Manasota Scrub Preserve
Nestled within a suburban community, this slice of preserved land offers a system of trails running through a variety of upland and wetland habitats. Enter the preserve by crossing a 330 foot boardwalk bordering a wetland....
Marina Boat Ramp Park
This is a great place to launch a canoe, kayak or small boat and explore the waterways of the area. The Intracoastal Waterway, Dona Bay, Roberts Bay and the Gulf of Mexico are all close by, providing easy access to the water...
Marina Park and Boat Ramp
Looking for a great fishing experience? The City of North Port’s Marina Park and Boat Ramp gives avid boaters and fishing enthusiasts direct access to Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass, the world’s premier...
Mary Thaxton Memorial Preserve
This preserve is a slice of “Real Florida;” a natural wilderness, complete with wildlife and solitude. Nature lovers will enjoy over five miles of marked trails offering wildlife viewing and bird watching. This is...
Myakka River State Park
Myakka River State Park is one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks protecting one of the State's most diverse natural areas. The Myakka River, designated as a Florida Wild and Scenic River, flows through wetlands,...
Myakka State Forest
Myakka State Forest is perfect for those who like to watch wildlife. Over 100 species of birds, including scrub jay and owls have been sighted here and the forest is listed in the southern section of the Great Florida Birding...
