In the Tropic Shores article entitled Blue Spring State Park in Volusia County, Florida, I had mentioned the fact that there are roughly 150 incredible state parks and reserves that tend to be overlooked by the tourist industry! It is unfortunate that many of these shady hammocks, grassy marshes and rivers remain unseen by our winter friends. Although, Blue Spring State Park is one of the top ten state parks located in Florida there are nine others that are deserving of a mention!
Myakka River State Park in Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida is not only one of the oldest state parks in Florida, but one of the largest as well! The park is located on the wild and scenic Myakka River and because it's one of the largest state parks, there is certainly no lack of recreational activity! For $60 a night Myakka River State Park offers cabin camping, kayaking, fishing, birding, nature trails, a 7-mile scenic drive, horse trails, air boat tours, tram rides and biking trails. For $150 a night in a hotel room, you can enjoy a T.V. and maybe an overcrowded pool...
Myakka River State Park is only a little over an hour away from Busch Gardens and Adventure Island in Hillsborough County and only 20 minutes away from Jungle Gardens in Sarasota! Why not try the best of both worlds during your short stay in the paradise known as Florida? You can enjoy the miles of sandy beaches, the major themeparks AND the inland wilderness! ropic Shores has nearly 3,000 listings in Sarasota County, check a few of them out while your here...just in case you never want to leave!
