Tag: Trails

Neal Preserve – Located in Bradenton, just off Anna Maria Island

Unlike most of the preserves in Manatee County, Neal Preserve does NOT ALLOW pets, and does NOT ALLOW bicycles on the tails. This preserve is specifically designed to be enjoyed on foot. Which isn’t a bad thing. In fact it makes Neal Preserve quite peaceful.

Open daily from sunrise to sunset, Neal Preserve is 120 acres of beautiful coastal habitat like mangrove forests, salt terns, and oak hammock uplands. There are shell trails and boardwalks that run through the preserve, as well as a 20 Ft. tall observation tower.

Neal Preserve is also a historically significant site. This area was inhabited by Native Americans from 3000 BC to 1400 AD. You will pass reconstructed burial mounds (original mounds were excavated by the Smithsonian back in the 1930’s), though remember that collecting anything here is NOT PERMITTED. This area should be seen as a “open air museum”.

Neal Preserve is perfect for hiking and bird watching

Address
12301 Manatee Ave W
Bradenton, FL 34209

Riverview Pointe Preserve is 11 Acres of Wildlife and Nature Trails

Riverview Pointe Preserve is a small park adjacent to DeSoto National Memorial Park in Bradenton. It is 11 acres of uplands & coastal habitats. It’s a nice place to take your dog to for some exercise, fishing, and great for wildlife viewing.

Riverview Pointe Preserve is open daily, and hours vary with season.

Address:
8250 Desoto Memorial Hwy
Bradenton, FL 34209

Explore the Trails of DeSoto National Memorial Park in Bradenton

Located in North West Bradenton, not far from Robinson Preserve, is DeSoto National Memorial Park. DeSoto Memorial consists of 26 acres of land. 80% of this land is a mangrove swamp, and the remaining land consists of pine flatlands, mixed hardwoods, remnant shell ridges, and deposited dredge material from the Manatee River.

Explore the trails that run through the mangroves, and the beautiful 3,000 Ft. of shoreline. This is a great place to take your dog for a quick walk and a swim!

DeSoto National Memorial Park is named after Conquistador Hernando de Soto. In May of 1539, de Soto and his army made landfall in Tampa Bay. The park commemorates this landing.

Thursday – Sunday the park offers living history demonstrations/programs. There are touch artifacts, European armor that you can try on and touch, and more! Living history season is from December 2nd – April 17th, at 10:00AM, 11:00AM, 1:00PM, & 2:00PM .



Address:
8300 Desoto Memorial Hwy
Bradenton, FL 34209

The Tranquil Trails of Robinson Preserve

View from the Observation Tower

Located in North West Bradenton, FL, you will find the tranquil trails of Robinson Preserve. With over 682 acres of mangroves, marsh, and coastal wetland habitats, this place will turn your morning jog into a relaxing adventure through nature.

 

Along with the trails, Robinson Preserve also has kayak launches, restrooms, and picnic areas. There is also an incredible observation tower, where you can look out on to gorgeous views of the preserve, Tampa Bay, and the Skyway Bridge in the distance.

 

The NEST

In early 2018, Robinson opened their new expansion to the preserve, called the “NEST”. The NEST is short for the Mosaic Center for Nature, Exploration, Science and Technology. The new space is a beautiful, multi-purpose building that is home to a ton of hands-on interpretive programming for all ages. You can even rent out the NEST for your own private event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robinson’s Preserve has a variety of activities to indulge in while you’re there, including:
. Hiking/walking the nature trails. You can always bring your four-legged, furry friend along with you (as long as their on a leash)
. Kayaking/Canoeing through the numerous trails through the mangroves (this activity I highly suggest, it is simply a wonderful experience)
. Biking
. Rollerblading
. Long boarding
. Managed fishing
. Bird Watching
. Wildlife viewing areas
. Group Camping (by reservation only)

 

Accessibility to the trails isn’t an issue. The trail that begins at the entrance is paved, and travels the entire preserve. However, most of the other trails are packed shell.

 

So take the trip out to Robinson’s Preserve, get outdoors, and enjoy nature!

Address: 1704 99th St NW, Bradenton, FL 34209
Hours: Open daily, THOUGH HOURS vary by season
Phone: (941) 742-5923