Description: Myakka River State Park is kinda like any other state park in any other place...but then it's totally not like any other park at the same time. Got it?
Just as you imagine, there are trails, boardwalks, bicycle and canoe rentals, two gift shops and a restaurant. What you might not imagine {especially if you are not from Florida} is that you will also see gators {I mean real, live gators without fences or pens literally 20 feet from you...if you're brave}, wild hogs, armadillos, dozens of beautiful birds and did I mention the gators? Yeah - they're like everywhere there!
You can fish, you can ride on an airboat, you can ride the tram, you can hike, you can grill, camp out, have a picnic, go canoeing, eat gator stew, boiled peanuts and seafood gumbo - it can be an all day event {we were there for SEVEN hours!} or you can go grab a bite and a boat ride and be on your way back home in an hour or two.
It's pretty big, but not big enough to get lost in. You can't hike all the trails in a day, maybe two days. There is a treetop walkway and a look out tower - which to me, wasn't so exciting...all you can see are trees, trees and more trees. I'd rather be down by the water, searching for gators, turtles or birds.
Definitely take :: water, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, comfortable TENNIS SHOES - no sandals! - your camera and binoculars.
There is a $5.00 admission per car to get in, but after that you don't have to pay for anything unless you are buying food or gifts.
Check out the pictures I took, they give a better description than I ever could!
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