Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park
Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Feb. 10, 2021

Huge and beautiful state park

Lovely and hugs state park with a mix of prairie and forest (palm, oak with Spanish moss and other epiphytes). We stayed at Old Prairie Campground site 38 and it was a lovely spot at back of the loop. The OP. Amp hound is a bit tighter than the Palmetto campground in terms of space, but I really liked the feel of the campground and people were all friendly. Clean bath house and laundry facilities (bring quarters). Weather was in the 80s in early February. We did the nature trail (short), the canopy walk, and also got permits for the wilderness preserve. The hike there is beautiful - about five miles round trip. Feels like the Serengeti - wide open prairie with occasional trees. There’s a lake with TONS of alligators and lots of amazing birds. You have to get a permit from the ranger station at 8 am and they only give out enough for 30 people each day. Well worth it. The only bummer with this campground is that there isn’t trail access from the campgrounds themselves (at least not from Old Prairie or Palmetto). I like state parks where you can access the trail network straight from the campsite. Other than that it was beautiful.

  • Review photo of Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park by Kathy L., February 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park by Kathy L., February 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park by Kathy L., February 10, 2021