Sleeping Turtles Preserve South is located at the North End of River Road (at I-75 exit#191) In Venice, Florida. Spanning over 214 aces, it’s name derives from early 1800’s navigation maps describing this adjacent section of the Myakka River as “Sleeping Turtles”.
As with most waterfront preserve areas, wildlife is abundant. There have been recent sightings [...]
Manatee are seen often within the dark warm waters of the slow moving and sleepy Myakka River. It’s a practically perfect and natural place for them to be, especially in winter seasons. Manatee are plant eating migratory marine mammals. They prefer warm, slow moving shallow canals, inlets, rivers, and estuaries where vegetation such as water [...]
There are just two public waterfront Dining locations along the banks of the Myakka River. Both are located on the North (US 41 area and upward) and both are on the West bank. Both locations offer very nice views of the Myakka River and are approachable either by boat with accessible docking areas, and by [...]
These prehistoric looking alligators may appear tame and subdued, but they are completely unpredictable.
The Jelks Preserve, a Myakka River land preservation effort at it’s finest, is a simple park with several miles of trails throughout the 640 acres of Florida Native Habitat. Oak Hammocks, Pine and Scrubby Flatwoods, Seasonal Sloughs and Marshes are scattered throughout the trails which cut through most upland areas and reach a couple points [...]
Hiking, Canoeing, and Kayaking at Sleeping Turtles Preserve along the Tropical Myakka River in Venice.
Wilderness Camping is available on the Myakka Trail in Myakka State Park, Sarasota Florida.
The Myakka Canopy Walkway offers a ‘birds eye’ view of surrounding nature in the sub-tropical ecosystem of Myakka State Park in Sarasota Florida.
The Hardy Hiker in Flatford Swamp is rewarded with the uniqueness of a peek at untrampled Florida in the Myakka River Headwater Ecosystem.
The Myakka State Forest - an 8,500 acre Resource for Hiking, fishing, Camping, and Hunting.