Little Manatee River State Park

Little Manatee River State Park is nearly 40 miles (63 kilometers) long and covers more than 2,600 acres (1,052 hectares), providing endless outdoor recreation opportunities. You could spend half the day walking or biking the 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) Sand Pine Trail and picnicking at the pavilions. Feel free to hike the longer, 6.5-mile (10.5-kilometer) stacked loop trail, keeping your eye out for alligators, otters, bobcats, deer, gopher tortoises, and other endemic wildlife.

Don’t feel like you need to leave when the park closes at sundown. Overnight camping is available, with the park offering 30 tent and RV campsites, four equestion campsites, and primitive camping for backpackers. Paddling and fishing are two of the most popular activities in Little Manatee River State Park, and there are designated areas for both. Keep in mind that these spots are often protected and have limited vehicle access—plan extra time for short hikes to and from the parking area.

• The park closes at sunset year-round, but the ranger station often shuts down at 5pm.

• The pavilions have playgrounds and accessible restrooms.

• Anglers need both freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses to fish in the park.

• Interpretive exhibits are found throughout the park while the amphitheater hosts evening events throughout the year.

Little Manatee River State Park is located at 215 Lightfoot Road in Wimauma, just south of Sun City City off of US 301. There is no public transportation nearby, so you’ll need to walk, bike, drive, or use a ride-hailing app to access the park. It’s approximately a 30-minute drive from Tampa; it’s easiest to access by taking either I-275 to I-75 north or I-4 east to I-75 south.

Little Manatee River State Park is open every day from early in the morning until sunset. Florida’s warm weather makes kayaking and hiking at the state park comfortable and accessible year-round. The best wildlife viewing times are around sunrise and sunset, though if you want to see as many manatees as possible, visit from late spring through summer when they visit the river’s warm waters.

While Little Manatee River State Park offers family-friendly outdoor activities, swimming isn’t recommended in these brackish waters, which can house dangerous animals. Instead, the Southshore Bay Lagoon near the park entrance can give your family a safe place to splash while enjoying Florida’s warm weather. Pair your trip with an overnight stay in Little Manatee River State Park to enjoy the best of both attractions.