Location: Myakka River State Park Trailhead: 7P56+3W Myakka City, Florida Hike Length: 5 miles Time Estimate: three hours Habitats: Pine Flatwoods, Hardwood Hammock, Dry Prairie Notes: Can be very hot and dry – bring lots of water. This is a great hike to see the undisturbed pinelands in the park, but it is an out […]
Myakka River State Park (MRSP)
Myakka River State Park is a Florida State Park, that is located nine miles (14 km) east of Interstate 75 in Sarasota County and a portion of southeastern Manatee County on the Atlantic coastal plain. This state park consists of 37,000 acres (150 km2), making it one of the state's largest parks. It is also one of the oldest parks in the state. It was delineated in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. A small portion (1,920 acres or 7.8 km2) of the park was the gift of the family of Bertha Palmer to the state. The park is named after the Myakka River.
- All Weather/Horse Trail Loop (MRSP)
- Alligator Point (MRSP)
- Bee Island & Back (MRSP)
- Clay Gully/Mossy Hammock (MRSP)
- Deep Hole (MRSP)
- Fox’s High & Low (MRSP)
- Power Line/Ranch House Loop (MRSP)
Myakka River State Park
A roseate spoonbill is a Florida rarity often found among the noted wildlife of the park.
Myakka River State Park is a Florida State Park, that is located nine miles (14 km) east of Interstate 75 in Sarasota County and a portion of southeastern Manatee County on the Atlantic coastal plain. This state park consists of 37,000 acres (150 km2), making it one of the state's largest parks. It is also one of the oldest parks in the state. It was delineated in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. A small portion (1,920 acres or 7.8 km2) of the park was the gift of the family of Bertha Palmer to the state. The park is named after the Myakka River.
Environment
Myakka River State Park is in the southeastern conifer forests ecoregion. Plant communities in areas of the park with drier soils are a mixture of pine forests, scrubby flatwoods, and dry prairies. Florida longleaf pine flatwoods are woodlands dominated by longleaf pine (Pinus palustris). South Florida pine flatwoods are open woodlands of (Pinus elliottii var. densa) with a dense ground cover of grasses and shrubs. Florida dry prairies are flat, nearly treeless plains with dense cover of grasses, forbs, saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and other low shrubs
.[2]
Wetlands in the park include marshes and forested wetlands. Floridian highlands freshwater marshes are depression marshes composed of different herbaceous plant communities that vary based on water depth. Southern coastal plain nonriverine cypress domes are small wetlands of bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) notable for their dome-shaped appearance.[2]
A karst sinkhole named Deep Hole is located on the northwest bank of the Myakka River in the Wilderness Preserve. The sink is 135 feet (41 m) deep though no evidence of a spring was found by a 2011–2012 research team.[3]
Rivers in the park support hammocks and floodplain forests. Near the floodplains of spring-fed rivers grow southern coastal plain hydric hammocks, dense forests of evergreen and deciduous hardwood trees. Blackwater rivers support southern coastal plain blackwater river floodplain forests of baldcypress along their banks.[2]
Climate
| Climate data for Myakka River State Park, Florida, 1991-2020 normals | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °F (°C) | 74.5 (23.6) |
77.6 (25.3) |
80.7 (27.1) |
85.2 (29.6) |
89.8 (32.1) |
91.7 (33.2) |
92.3 (33.5) |
92.5 (33.6) |
90.7 (32.6) |
86.5 (30.3) |
80.8 (27.1) |
76.6 (24.8) |
84.9 (29.4) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 62.2 (16.8) |
65.0 (18.3) |
67.9 (19.9) |
72.5 (22.5) |
77.4 (25.2) |
81.2 (27.3) |
82.5 (28.1) |
83.1 (28.4) |
81.4 (27.4) |
76.3 (24.6) |
69.1 (20.6) |
64.8 (18.2) |
73.6 (23.1) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 50.0 (10.0) |
52.4 (11.3) |
55.2 (12.9) |
59.8 (15.4) |
64.9 (18.3) |
70.7 (21.5) |
72.8 (22.7) |
73.6 (23.1) |
72.2 (22.3) |
66.1 (18.9) |
57.4 (14.1) |
53.0 (11.7) |
62.3 (16.8) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.85 (72) |
2.44 (62) |
3.00 (76) |
2.98 (76) |
3.75 (95) |
9.95 (253) |
9.81 (249) |
10.12 (257) |
8.45 (215) |
3.19 (81) |
2.02 (51) |
2.51 (64) |
61.07 (1,551) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.2 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 5.2 | 7.3 | 15.4 | 18.7 | 18.6 | 15.5 | 8.2 | 5.3 | 7.0 | 119.8 |
| Source: NOAA[4][5] | |||||||||||||
Things to do
The park is noted for its wildlife and some of the rare birds seen only in Florida, such as the roseate spoonbill, frequent the park. Native flora flourishes in the park. There are many species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals to learn about and enjoy watching as well.
Myakka River State Park has an excellent system of hiking trails. Walking trails crisscross the eastern side of the park.
Six primitive campgrounds are accessible by trail throughout the park: Mossy Hammock, Bee Island, Panther Point, Honore, Oak Grove and Prairie.
Horseback riding and biking is permitted on certain designated trails and roads in the park. This part of the park is dominated by expanses of very low vegetation, fields of palmetto, that make a transition to islands, or hammocks, of tall pine and oak trees.
A good portion of the park is accessible by automobile. Myakka River State Park's main road, a 6.5-mile (10.5 km) drive between the north and south ends, leads visitors to a boardwalk out to the river and a lake that is excellent for bird watching.
The main drive is also popular with cyclists, runners, and skaters. Bicycle traffic can be heavy, especially on weekends and holidays.
A short walk from the main road reveals Myakka's canopy walkway, a novel suspension bridge and tower providing researchers and visitors with views of the forest canopy and a spectacular above-the-treetops view of the entire park.
Picnic areas, canoeing, boat tours, and developed campsites are available. The park even has five cabins that were built not with logs, but with the trunks of native sabal palms.
References
- ^ Smith, Mark D. "Myakka River State Park". Sarasota History Alive. Sarasota County History Center. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Land Cover Viewer - Map". National Gap Analysis Program. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
- ^ Culter, JK; Bowen, C; Ryan, J; Perry, J; Janneman, R; Lin, W (2013). "Exploration of Deep hole, Myakka river state park, Florida". In: Lang, M.A., and M.D.J. Sayer, editors. 2013. Proceedings of the 2013 AAUS/ESDP Curaçao Joint International Scientific Diving Symposium, October 24–27, 2013, Curaçao. Dauphin Island, AL. American Academy of Underwater Sciences. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
- ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
Gallery
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The Boat Basin with airboats Gator Gal and Myakka Maiden
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Alligators abound
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Kayaking on the Myakka River
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Myakka River Sunset
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View walking on the Canopy Walkway
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Trails flooded after heavy rains
External links
- Myakka River State Park at Florida State Parks
- Friends of the Myakka River
- Myakka River State Park at State Parks
- Myakka River State Park at Absolutely Florida
- Myakka River State Park at Visit Florida
- Myakka River State Park at Wildernet
- Myakka River Watershed - Florida DEP
| General | |
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| National libraries | |
Fox’s High & Low (MRSP)
Location: Myakka River State Park Trailhead (Google Plus Code): 7PPV+CX Myakka City, Florida Hike Length: 4 miles Time Estimate: 2-3 hours Habitats: Hardwood Hammock, Dry Prairie Notes: Generally little traffic at the North end of the park. This is a four-mile hike through hammock, dry prairie and along the stream of Clay Gulley. There is […]
Alligator Point (MRSP)
Location: Myakka River State Park Trailhead (Google Plus Code): 6MWQ+H9 Myakka City, Florida Hike Length: 2 miles Time Estimate: 1- 1.5 hours Habitats: Hardwood Hammock, Wetlands Notes: Typically a very quiet trail with opportunities to see wildlife. Not the prettiest trail, but many things of interest as you walk next to a cattle ranch. Butterfly […]
Clay Gully/Mossy Hammock (MRSP)
Location: Myakka River State Park Trailhead (Google Plus Code): 7PPW+QM Myakka City, Florida Hike Length: 3-5 miles Time Estimate: three hours Habitats: Hardwood Hammock, Dry Prairie, Wetlands Notes: Almost always has some wet trail. Watch for alligators near streams. This is a beautiful little hike that starts along the south side of Clay Gulley and […]
Power Line/Ranch House Loop (MRSP)
Location: Myakka River State Park Trailhead (Google Plus Code): 7P24+GC Myakka City, Florida Hike Length: 3 miles Time Estimate: 2 hours Habitats: Hardwood Hammock, Dry Prairie, Wetlands Notes: This is a relatively dry hike, good for a wet season, and it’s on flat, fairly even ground. However, always be prepared for some wetness under foot. […]
All Weather/Horse Trail Loop (MRSP)
Location: Myakka River State Park Trailhead (Google Plus Code): 6PF2+Q8 Hike Length: 2.5 miles Time Estimate: two hours Habitats: Dry Prairie Notes: Almost always has some wet trail. You don’t need to go into the park entrance to access this – Access the Horse trail from 72, 1.4 miles east of the park’s south entrance. […]
Deep Hole (MRSP)
Location: Myakka River State Park Trailhead (Google Plus Code): 6MRC+45 Myakka City, Florida Hike Length: 5 miles Time Estimate: 3+ hours Habitats: Hardwood Hammock, Dry Prairie, Wetlands Notes: Requires permit – contact Ranger’s office for information. If the water is high, you cannot access Deep Hole – check with ranger station. Butterfly Orchids – There […]