Myakka River State Park

[Ruth]

We visited here today and would thoroughly recommend it. It is the oldest and larges of Florida's state parks. It was only $5 entrance fee for a car with up to 8 people in it. There is a visitor centre which was very interesting. We went on an airboat ride which lasted an hour and was $10 per adult and $5 per child (age 6-12). There was a 7 mile drive, and many more miles of hikes and cycle paths (you can hire them there). There were also kayak hires and in the winter a trolley ride. We saw numerous aligators, loads of birds and many wild boar. It was less than an hour from where we are staying at Port Charlotte and easily accessible from Rotonda, Cape Haze, Englewood and Sarasota[8D]

[floridageoff]

We visited Myakka State Park earlier in the year and they also run a tram tour between December and May.

On our way out of the park we visited the Canopy Walkway and Tower. This walkway is suspended 25 feet above the ground and extends 85 feet through the hammock canopy, ending at the tower. After crossing the walkway we climbed to the top of the tower. If you can manage the climb it is well worth it for the spectacular view of the treetops and wetlands. A nature trail is also close by and we spent a leisurely 20 minutes walking around looking at the birds.

As Ruth says, it is well worth a visit if you are in the area

[mollymolly]

Thanks for posting Ruth , Glenda & Geoff. We are going over on Friday (can't wait). I was thinking of trying Myakka now it is definately on the list.
Shall try to post a photo or two.

Bernadette

[Vanessa]

We're headed down to Rotonda West at the end of August. We've never been to the park but because of the positive reviews we have added it to the list. It sounds wonderful.

[Ruth]

It was 96 degrees yesterday so we did not do this bit. We got a voucher for $5 off the trolley or boat ride within the year so may well come back at Christmas when it is cooler and do the bits we missed. Apparently the park is very different in winter so it would be nice to see it then anyway


<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by floridageoff

On our way out of the park we visited the Canopy Walkway and Tower. This walkway is suspended 25 feet above the ground and extends 85 feet through the hammock canopy, ending at the tower. After crossing the walkway we climbed to the top of the tower. If you can manage the climb it is well worth it for the spectacular view of the treetops and wetlands. A nature trail is also close by and we spent a leisurely 20 minutes walking around looking at the birds.
[/quote]

[andrewmckay5]

Ruth,
Try out the Babcock Widernes Park aswell; about an hours drive from Rotonda. Photos from our visit at Xmas:
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_27368.asp

andrew