Myakka River State Park spans 37,000 acres of wetlands, prairies, and pine forests near North Port, Florida. This area features seven miles of paved roads for cycling and numerous trails for hiking through diverse ecosystems. Winter temperatures average 50-70°F, making December through March ideal for cabin camping with significantly fewer mosquitoes than summer months.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at dawn: Myakka River State Park offers exceptional opportunities to see Florida wildlife in natural settings. "This great Park has 39 miles of hiking trails and off road/mountain biking at your pleasure. We bike with hybrid specialized bikes and had no problems off road," notes a visitor at Palmetto Ridge Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: Paddle the Myakka River from multiple launch points at the state park or Camp Venice. "Easy river access. Paddle the Myakka River in both directions. Plenty of wildlife - and gaters! No worries, they'll leave you alone if you don't bother them," explains a camper at Camp Venice Retreat.
Hiking to Deep Hole: This restricted area requires a special permit obtained at the ranger station. "We arrived at the gate! After hearing of the wilderness preserve we decided to go ahead and get the permit. You drive about a mile down the road from the main state park entrance to find the wilderness preserve entrance which is code protected," shares a visitor who hiked to see "tons of alligators birds and wildlife!"
What campers like
Privacy levels: Cabin sites range from secluded to more social settings. "We stayed at site #22. Sites have water and electric and are dirt. Most sites are on the smaller side being shallow and narrow. Our site was great. Shaded most of day and wider," explains a camper at Oscar Scherer State Park Campground.
Elevated viewing platforms: The canopy walkway and observation tower provide unique perspectives. "The lookout tower was beautiful because you could see far across the park and on my particular visit you could see a wildfire smoking across the state," notes a visitor to Myakka River State Park.
Access to the Legacy Trail: This 10-mile paved multi-use path connects to several camping areas. "Easy access to Venice and the great Legacy Bike trail. Beaches and parking are free. Snook Haven is within walking distance, has good music, river view seating and pretty good food," reports a camper at Camp Venice Retreat.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: The river and lake can become extremely low during dry periods. "The river was low so the kayak rental & boat tours were shut down," reports a camper at Palmetto Ridge Campground. Call ahead to check current conditions.
Gator safety: Alligators are common throughout the area. "Went to drain the tanks yesterday morning and a large sounding gator started to growl territorially at me. So heads up with your pets please," warns a visitor at The Bohemian Hideaway.
Primitive campsite preparation: Backcountry sites require proper planning. "They have great primitive sites, with hikes that vary from 2 miles to 14 miles to camp sites. Beware of heat, bring plenty of water. Don't depend on water pumps," advises an experienced camper.
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly paths: Multiple paved routes suitable for children make cycling accessible. "There are 6 miles of paved (flat) roads in Park. Great for biking, especially with kids," notes a visitor to Myakka River State Park.
Swimming options: Some cabins near North Port provide access to swimming areas. "There is a small beach/swimming area which was great cause it's hot!!" shares a visitor at Oscar Scherer State Park.
Wildlife education: Park programs offer learning opportunities. "Ranger led programs take place nightly. We actually got to see a Florida panther on one of the trails as well as a friendly family of scrub Jay's! Our 6 yo son loved that we felt safe enough that he could ride his bike around the campground," explains a family who stayed at Oscar Scherer.
Tips from RVers
Campsite selection: Research sites carefully before booking cabin or RV spots. "The Palmetto Ridge pull thrus are gigantic. I would say the vegetation gives semi privacy but they aren't on top of each other so it's not like you're looking right at your neighbor," explains an RVer at Old Prairie Campground.
Hurricane recovery: Some camping areas are still rebuilding. "To be fair, they are still recovering from hurricane Ian. Some of the sites are very nice and well kept and others look like they have very long term residents who don't clean up after themselves very well," notes a visitor at Encore Gulf View.
Loop differences: Within the same park, camping loops can vary significantly. "Big Flats & Old Prairie loops are gravel road, tight, no privacy & very small sites like for popups, vans or small campers. The Palmetto Ridge pull thrus are gigantic," advises a camper describing the different options at Myakka River State Park.
