In Sarasota County, you don’t have to venture far to see bobcats, black vultures, river otters, marsh rabbits, and red-shouldered hawks. Just head to Red Bug Slough Preserve, the 72-acre parcel of land in suburban Sarasota that was saved to preserve natural habitats in 2000 and 2001. The hardwood hammock landscape—a uniquely Florida ecosystem—is filled with trails shaded by towering live oaks and cabbage palms and native flowering plants (look for the whimsically named beautyberry, moonflower, and loblolly bay). Make your way to the lesser-known Slough Loop Trail, an easy two-mile loop through lush, fern-covered forest and wetlands. While you’re exploring the preserve, keep an eye out for one of the red-hued bug species—such as scarlet skimmer dragonflies and cotton stainer beetles—that helped the area get its name.
5200 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34231
When the Sarasota Audubon Society chooses a location for its nature center, you know you’ve come to the right place for birdwatching. Celery Fields, the 400-plus-acre site owned by Sarasota County, is both recreational and functional. The land, which was once a farm, includes shallow pools, marshlands, ponds, and canals, and serves as the county’s main flood mitigation zone. It’s also an important habitat for birds and other wildlife. In partnership with Sarasota Audubon, the county restored more than 100 acres and built two boardwalks that allow guests to wander through the marsh grasses and wetlands to catch a glimpse of more than 245 avian species recorded here. Bring your binoculars and look out for the cotton candy-hued roseate spoonbills, black-necked stilts, purple gallinule, and the rare Nelson’s sparrow.
6799 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34240
Myakka River State Park is one of the Sunshine State’s oldest and largest parks. Opened in 1941 as one of the projects funded by President Roosevelt’s New Deal, it gets its name from the iced tea-hued river (so colored thanks to dissolved organic matter of leaves and vines) that meanders through 58 square miles of palms and live oaks. To see one of the park’s gems, you have to work—or in this case, walk—for it. An alligator magnet, the “Deep Hole” lies at the end of a 2.2-mile trail through the prairie. Once there, you’ll be rewarded with views of dozens—or maybe even hundreds—of alligators swimming in the fresh water or sunning themselves on the banks of the 130-foot-deep sinkhole. It’s important to note that, while this nature-lover’s favorite is located within the park, you’ll need a special permit to visit. Thirty are given out daily, starting at 8 a.m., from the ranger station. Get there early because locals say they’re usually long gone within the hour. If you’re lucky enough to score a permit, strike out with your binoculars for the best view from a safe distance.
13208 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241
Even casual naturalists will find plenty to observe and love at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park near Sarasota County’s city of North Port. The waterway’s name comes from the Seminole words for “big water” and “river.” Teeming with gar, tarpon, tilapia, and largemouth bass, the floodplain creek, which gets a reddish hue from decomposing vegetation, is a tributary of the larger Myakka River. The park’s 160 acres are heavily wooded and contain distinct ecosystems including oak hammock, pine flatwoods, wetlands, and fringe marsh, which are home to alligators, great egrets, red-bellied woodpeckers, barred owls, painted buntings, swallow-tail kites, and opossums. While there are 3.7 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding, those looking for an easy walk in the woods will enjoy exploring the elevated pathways for up-close views of the unique landscape while protecting the lush ecosystem below. Looking to extend your time? Score a permit for primitive camping and stay overnight under a dense canopy of trees.
6968 Reisterstown Road, North Port, FL 34291
Looking for one location that delivers plenty of variety? You’ll find that and more at the 7,335-acre Deer Prairie Creek Preserve. Named after Deer Prairie Creek, a tributary of the Myakka River, visitors can explore more than 60 miles of packed, primitive surface trails winding through ecosystems such as Florida dry prairie, wetlands, scrubby flatwoods, and mesic hammock, all teeming with wildlife. (Though the trails are unpaved, they are easily navigable for most walkers and hikers.) Prefer to see the sights using someone else’s legs? Take a horseback tour on designated equestrian trails. No matter how you get around, you’re likely to see native deer, alligators, and an array of wading birds.
7001 Forbes Trail, Venice, FL 34292
Don’t let the Quick Point Nature Preserve’s fast-paced name fool you: It’s the ideal place for enjoying a slower pace while communing with nature. This 34-acre hidden gem on Longboat Key off the coast of Sarasota is beautiful, and its prolific wildlife is a testament to the benefits of conservation. Over the past 50 years, thanks to a public land acquisition and commitment to restoration, Quick Point is home to an array of wildlife such as wading birds (look for snowy egrets, white ibis, osprey, and great blue herons) that feed on plentiful fish. Plan to take it easy and meander through the preserve, walking the nature trails and elevated boardwalk to see the tidal pools, lagoons, and sandy beaches. Bring your camera and find a spot to watch the sun set over Sarasota Bay.
100 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228
A busy urban area might not be an obvious place to discover protected natural habitats and thriving populations of charming birds, fluttering butterflies, and majestic bald eagles. Oscar Scherer State Park is bordered by major developments and highways in the town of Osprey, but you’d never know it inside the park’s 1,400 serene acres. Park your car and strike out to explore 15 miles of trails to see the bright blue Florida scrub jay, an endangered bird only found in the state’s scrub habitats. Because the park’s designers believe that mobility challenges shouldn’t be a barrier for enjoying nature, the Lester Finley Barrier-Free Nature Trail is designed to be accessible for visitors with mobility, hearing, or sight impairments and is equipped with a wheelchair-accessible fishing dock, multiple benches along the hard-packed path, and a butterfly observation area.
1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229
Experience nature with a side of history at the Crowley Museum & Nature Center. Established as a farmstead in 1878, the 191-acre property became a community attraction and living museum in 1974, with the goal of preserving rare habitats and pioneer buildings and sharing knowledge with visitors. While the mostly volunteer-staffed center draws in all ages with its heritage farm animals, gardens, and trails through pine flatwoods and swamps, there’s special programming geared toward kids. The Children’s Discovery Path includes five interactive stations where young visitors can play the roles of Florida panthers, spiders, birds of prey, bats, and Gopher tortoises with jumping and climbing activities. Be sure to check out the elevated half-mile boardwalk through five quintessential Florida habitats; it ends with a two-story observation tower with views of the Myakka River. In the summer, you might see the pale pink swamp hibiscus in bloom, and in winter, keep your eyes peeled for roseate spoonbills, wood storks and pelicans.
16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota, FL 34240
There’s lots to love about the diminutive Shamrock Park and Nature Center in Venice. A peaceful park with trails along the Intracoastal Waterway, it’s also the southern terminus of the popular Legacy Trail, an 18.5-mile rail trail connecting Venice with Sarasota to the north. Visitors of all ages, interests, and activity levels will enjoy the shaded picnic spots, butterfly garden, and demonstration garden where Master Gardeners showcase best practices for native landscaping. Shamrock is also part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and is one of the best places to see the endangered Florida scrub jay, thanks to the plentiful and well protected coastal scrub between the park and Caspersen Beach. In fact, the local Audubon chapter has documented nearly 120 bird species spotted in the park alone. But don’t just focus on the air: be sure to look out for gopher tortoises, marsh rabbits, and other engaging native species.
3900 Shamrock Drive, Venice, FL 34293
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