Rye Preserve – Florida Hikes - Primal Outdoor Members Portal

Throughout 530 acres, a number of quick nature trails and paddler entry to the Higher Manatee River type the idea of outside recreation at Rye Protect.

Downriver from the Lake Manatee Dam and as soon as really out within the nation, the protect is now edged by improvement supplanting surrounding ranches.

Scrub ridge

Open seasonally, a nature middle and tent campground are a brief stroll from the picnic space and playground on the middle of the park.

Two separate trailheads alongside the park’s predominant street, Rye Wilderness Path, present stroll or ride-in entry to 5 signposted trails.

A hand launch gives direct entry for paddlers to discover the great thing about the Higher Manatee River.

Hand launch

Assets

Overview

Location: Fort HamerTrailhead: 27.512793, -82.362772Address: 905 Rye Wilderness Path, ParrishFees: Free to enter. Tenting charge.Restroom: On the park officeLand Supervisor: Manatee CountyPhone: 941-748-4501

Open dawn to sundown. Leashed canine welcome. All trails are multi-use.

Verify in on the ranger station between 3-7 PM for a campsite throughout tenting season, Sep-Might.

Instructions

From Interstate 75 at SR 64 in Bradenton, comply with SR 64 east for 4.2 miles, passing via one site visitors circle earlier than reaching a second one the place you make a flip onto Rye Rd. Proceed one other 3.4 miles, crossing the river bridge at Fort Hamer earlier than turning proper onto Rye Wilderness Path. Proceed to the primary parking space with the playground and picnic tables.

Hike

The shortest and best to comply with of the character trails, the Purple Path circles the picnic space and campground. It’s only signposted at street crossings.

On the predominant parking space, stroll over to the kiosk by the restrooms after which straight again in direction of the forest adjoining the character middle.

Day use space

Be a part of the footpath on the property boundary, marked with occasional crimson blazes and indicators alongside the well-beaten, broad path. Flip proper to start out a clockwise circuit.

The tallest bushes of a sand pine scrub edge the fence line, whereas a wholesome scrub appropriate for Florida scrub-jays extends in direction of the park street.

Junction amid shiny white sand

Curve proper at a Y intersection, confirming the route with a crimson marker and a Purple Path signal. A low expanse of noticed palmetto edges sandy clearings.

Every has darkened soil and patches of sandspike moss amid deer moss. Scrub plums gleam within the sunshine. Broadening, the trail goals for a crimson marker and a distant fence.

Sandspike moss amongst deer moss

Meet the park street at 0.3 miles and cross it to the hole within the reverse fence, passing a Purple Path signal.

It’s an abrupt distinction in habitats to enter the deep shade of a hardwood forest. Pines and oaks rise tall above.

Signposted path

At a cut up within the path, keep proper, following the signage via a essential reroute. On the best is the clearing containing the walk-in campground.

The place trails rejoin, it’s apparent the reroute went round a spot the place erosion undercut the river bluffs deeply.

Tent tenting space

River ranges are regulated by the upstream dam forming Lake Manatee, however drenching hurricane-driven rains can power a sudden rush of water via the usually placid basin.

Resume strolling on a broad, shaded path beneath hickories and oaks.

Bluff above the river basin

The panorama drops off on the left into the forested river basin, with some worn aspect paths venturing into the dense vegetation.

At a half mile, emerge onto the trail off an entry street for the kayak launch. Take the stairstepped path downhill to see the Higher Manatee from a sandy seaside at river degree.

Higher Manatee River

The climb beneath the cabbage palms appears steeper. Reaching the Purple Path, flip left.

It grazes alongside the sting of the entry street earlier than dipping into the bluff forest, with scenic views of the river via the bushes

Tannic river within a screen of palm fronds

A view from above

One aspect path results in a view from the bluff. Curving away from the river, stroll beneath cabbage palms and oaks to achieve a spot within the park street fence.

At 0.7 miles, cross to the other hole and comply with the curve into the sand pine forest.

Hole previous the street crossing

Proceed alongside the trail, edging the picnic space and playground close to the character middle.

Strolling behind the character middle, shut the loop. Flip proper to exit to the trailhead to complete a 0.8 mile hike on the Purple Path.

Exit right here to return to the parking space

To deal with three extra trails inside Rye Protect, you’ll want to maneuver your automobile deeper into the protect to the Yellow Path trailhead.

From it, discover one other 1.8 miles into the area’s previous alongside the Cemetery and Rye Settlement Trails, and atop river bluffs on the Yellow Path.