Little Manatee River State Park Nature Trails – Florida Hikes

This well-liked state park takes its identify from a well-preserved, wild river that twists and turns by it.

Little Manatee River State Park is a vacation spot for paddling, climbing, and tenting simply reached by residents of the Tampa metro space.

On its north shore, a path constructed and maintained by the Florida Path Affiliation meanders throughout shady bottomland forests and sandy bluffs on a 6.5 mile loop.

Little Manatee River

In sharp distinction, the Sandpine Path traverses a crescent of dry, sun-drenched scrub habitat on the south aspect of the river.

Alongside it, a aspect loop explores a small hammock and marsh inside an oxbow of the river.

In 2024, Hurricane Milton toppled quite a few sand pines and triggered intensive erosion of the riverbanks, resulting in a partial closure of the Oxbow Nature Path.

Oxbow Nature Path junction (Sandra Pal)

Assets

Overview

Location: TampaLength: 2.0 milesTrailhead: 27.675444, -82.376139Address: 215 Lightfoot Street, WimaumaFees: $5 per vehicleRestrooms: On the trailhead / canoe launch and playgroundLand supervisor: Florida State ParksPhone: 813-671-5005

Open 8:00 AM to sundown. Leashed canines welcome.

Instructions

Hike

Beginning on the kayak launch space, look to the west for a sandy hall main into the forest.

In 100 ft, a brief aspect path cuts over to a view of the river from a tall bluff.

Proceed following the primary path westward because it weaves previous patches of fuzzy sand spikemoss, thorny hog plums, and an assortment of untamed blueberries.

Sidewalk to the kayak launch

Though shade is sparse, clusters of sand stay oaks draped with Spanish moss kind small canopies.

At 0.2 miles, attain an jap intersection with the Oxbow Loop, offering entry to the partially closed path.

Sand stay oaks

Flip proper to observe an undulating pathway right into a hammock of cabbage palms and stay oaks with glimpses of the river by dense underbrush.

In lower than 1 / 4 mile, the path ends at a washed-out portion subsequent to a swampy despair marsh.

Guests should backtrack to the primary path till a everlasting repair will be made.

Oxbow hammock

Returning to the Sandpine Path, head west, passing a pair of coated picnic areas alongside scenic riverbends.

In 100 ft, keep straight whereas crossing an intersection with a path main south to restrooms and a playground.

Riverside picnic pavilion

The loop portion of the path begins at 0.7 miles amongst a stand of tall sand pines.

Make a proper to begin alongside the shadier aspect of the loop, the place wild olives mingle amongst rusty lyonias and Carolina holly timber.

Swaying sand pines

Keep to the precise at 0.9 miles the place the campsite loop begins, designated by an indication with arrows.

Slash pines and cabbage palms dot the panorama earlier than the path crosses the paved campground highway.

Open forest

The jap aspect of the loop passes by a piece of the forest hit laborious by the hurricane, main throughout open areas with little shade.

Flip proper the place the loop ends at 1.5 miles, following the primary path for an additional half mile again to the trailhead.

Sand pine scrub

Path Map

Discover Extra!

Be taught extra about Little Manatee River State Park

Little Manatee River State Park With sandy shores round each bend and a cover of timber overhead, Little Manatee River State Park offers a lovely vacation spot for a household getaway.

Video

Climbing the Sandpine and Oxbow Trails

Slideshow

See our pictures from the Sandpine and Oxbow Trails

Close by Adventures

Park Map (PDF) Reserve a campsite Official Web site

Alongside together with his spouse Chelsey, Chris Stevens shares out of doors adventures on Instagram and Fb as @sunshinestateseekers and is a co-host of a podcast about Florida’s outdoor, The Florida Madcaps. An avid hiker and camper, Chris serves as a Trailmaster and a board member for the Florida Path Affiliation.

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