Primitive Sites — Myakka River State Park

Took 5 days to go backpacking in Myakka State Park, which is an awesome park!! It was my first backpacking/primitive camping trip and it was an awesome experience. The hike there alternated landscapes- prairies, swamps, foresty- so during certain areas it was very bleak and boring, but that's apart of it! We hiked to the 2nd closest primitive campsite, Honoroe I believe (not sure in spelling it right). It was the PERFECT campsite. Except that it was 4.5 miles (total) to a water source- we went to Bee Island as it was the closest. We will probably end up going back to Myakka and choose a different site. This trip took place almost 2 years ago so unfortunately I no longer have photos of our trip.

YESS!! Myakka is the ultimate adventure getaway. I stayed in the primitive grounds so it was about a 5 mile hike in with a pack. We set up camp and could not wait for the sun to go down for stargazing. This park is epic, at the entrance are there is a huge bouldering rock as well which is fun. Outside of the beauty and trails there are Floridas wildest animals. Panthers, hogs and alligators. Bring a flashlight and hide your food at night but dont forget to listen and look for these amazing creatures.

Myakka River Stste Park is 10 miles outside of Sarasota Florida, but feels very far removed from the city. The park has three regular campgrounds for tents, campers, and RVs, as well as 6 primitive campsites along 30 miles of hiking trails.

Everyone at the park is extremely helpful and there are plenty of people at the established campsites. There's a campground host at each of the three campgrounds as well. Restrooms are clean and stocked. Overall, it's quiet and scenic.

The primitive campsites are between 2.5 and 14 miles from the trailheads within the park. Each campsite has three campsites at it, each with a fire ring and post to hang up your pack.

Bee Island, Oak Grove, and Honore campsites have working pitcher pumps at them. Water from these pumps will need to be filtered or treated. Prairie and Panther Point Camps aren't guaranteed to have water, so you should bring your own. Mossy Hammock campsite has a broken pitcher pump at it, so you will have to carry in your own water for the duration of your stay.

The primitive campsites are mu favorites, because they're not as crowded as the established campgrounds.