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Celery Fields

4.5 (32 reviews)

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Sonam M.

To be honest I didn't see the hype of this place. I am from California so that could be it. But the views from the elevation were nice. It was also windy when I went so didn't spend a lot of time there. Once you get to a hill there is a cute private area that can make for a nice picnic spot.

Audubon doing nest checks
Robert C.

Great park with an Audubon center in the parking area. Great site for birders or a hike with a hill

John M.

Celery Fields is a cool destination in Sarasota, Florida. It is a great place to get some walking in and it is also a good place to do some bird watching.

Lots and lots of Bunnies.
William C.

The Celery Fields is a wonderful place to walk, hike, watch the sun come up, photograph wildlife and so much more ! It's also the only place in Sarasota that you can find a little elevation to climb. There are a number of trails that circle around the hill giving you a variety of views and degrees of difficulty. In the early hours of the morning (sunrise) you can hear the roar of the lions coming from Big Cat Habitat. It's awesome. After walking the "Hill" you can walk across the street to the "boardwalk" that takes you out over a beautiful wetlands area, complete with Alligators, hawks, Bald Eagles, egrets and SO Much more. In the cooler months of the year, there are volunteer naturalists who will point out specific varieties of birds and plants using binoculars to improve your knowledge. All in all, a fantastic place to relax and enjoy life.

Tina S.

We love this place for some good old outdoor activity. Celery Fields is the only elevation in this part of Florida I am aware of and has nice scenery and a hill to "hike" up. There are a variety of wildlife that have a home there and on our visits we have seen many types of birds as well as some rabbits, etc. This 400+ acre site is owned by Sarasota County and is the County's primary flood mitigation zone. The construction of the Celery Fields began in 1923 and the canals were finished by 1926 so that makes it nearly 100 years old! It was created to grow vegetables but after trying a few types by 1927 it was determined that it grew...you guessed it....celery....the best. Celery Fields is on the Great Birding Trail and is a host for a multitude of wildlife. It also has rich history which you can check out on the informational board on the premises. The area continued to produce celery until 1955 when it was acquired by Sarasota County in an effort to prevent flooding in the Phillipi Creek Basin. It is said that the site was the home to mammoths and mastodons and later on the Indigenous peoples of the area who benefited from the large lake that was once there, which is the site of the current storm water ponds. There is a Audobon Garden consisting of a variety of native plants, trees and the like as well as a small fountain and a gazebo as well as an informational nature center which has been closed during this COVID era. My little likes exploring this area. We will continue to visit.

Cheree L.

Enjoyed my time here even though I came in 90 degree weather. Surprised to see there were other people there in this weather but not many. Good place to walk up and down hills was also happy that they had restrooms. Would come back here again -- just also make sure you bring plenty of water. I enjoyed seeing the different types of birds there as well!

Nick S.

Australia has Red Rock, Tanzania has Kilimanjaro. And Sarasota has Celery Fields. From base camp, I admired my fellow well outfitted hikers who came well prepared for the ascent we were about to attempt. Walking sticks. Fanny packs. Hiking shoes. Camel baks. Sarasota peeps don't mess around. I ascended the rocky slope for a minute or two before summiting. Then I heard the lions.. A wildlife sanctuary is across the street. Many hikers, walkers, and birders come here. And not just because while the lions go unseen (unless one escapes) the emus that share the neighboring property with them are both seen and heard in the distance below. There were also various other wild native and migratory species from sandhill cranes and ibis to brown headed brown birds and black headed brown birds. Clearly I'm no ornithologist. Better check with the guy sporting the huuuuuge lens. Got water views. Some dykes and canals around to explore and water fowl. Various habitats. Park seems to be well trafficked. Not shady so go early, late, or during the cooler season. Saw some nice flowering plants and butterflies. Brown rabbits. A rat. At least I think it was a rat.. Does large brown mouse sound better? There's a water fountain. Bicycle rack. Library nearby as well as another park, Ackerman with a playground. Well worth a visit. Florida isn't particularly mountainous so gear up and head out. You probably won't need crampons or belay ropes, and my ears didn't pop at the summit, but the water features and view of I75 in the distance with trucks going by relaxed me. This is a special Florida preserve and oasis for birders, photogs, walkers, runners, dog walkers, and naturalists, but not naturists. We don't want to be scandalized. Also, please keep your dog on a leash. I didn't, but you should. Not everyone likes dogs, they can disturb the wildlife, and shouldn't be bothering the other dogs. Whether you leash your children and other family members is totally up to you. You and they will enjoy some serenity now at Celery fields. Nice history and natural history markers along the way. So It's educational too! A mammoth good time. Enjoying a Cel-Ray soda at the summit is optional, but does earn bonus points.

Terri M.

My absolute favorite place to wander aimlessly . . . there is just something magical about it . . .

Top of the mound at the park
Justin H.

This is a nice local park. We enjoyed the short walk to the top of the "mound" and looking out at the flat, green landscape below. The surrounding greenery, trails, and palm trees make a wonderful background for pictures. So, it is worth a visit for that alone. Recommended!

Felicia M.

It's such a pretty spot to visit. You can climb to the top of the hill and watch the sunset. Nice place to walk your dog, go for a bike ride, or a walk/run. It's also a great place to take photos of the wildlife. Lots of beautiful birds to see.

Ibises stand in line on a wooden fence.
Naty K.

If you thought Florida is flat and there are no hills, you'd be technically right, with the exception of Celery Fields in Sarasota, a man-made hill that offers magnificent panoramic views of the green rural areas of Sarasota and its bodies of water, at an elevation of 75 feet. Believe it or not, mammoths and mastodons used to roam the area, so it shares a spot in the annals of prehistoric times. Once the land was drained and used for agriculture, it became a celery crop growing field for Fancee Farms, hence the name "Celery Fields". The farms were producing celery until the property was acquired by the County in 1995. Unfortunately, there is no celery to be seen anymore, it is gone forever, sadly. It'd be great to walk among tall stalks and tear a piece off to snack on... In 1994, Sarasota County purchased this over 300 acre land after record-setting rains, and well-preserved prehistoric animal bones, such as teeth from mammoths, mastodons and sharks were recovered. About 210 species of birds have been identified in the Celery Fields and it is now known as a great spot for bird watching. Runners and bikers can be observed on any given day, as well as anyone seeking some solace from the hustle and bustle of the city. At the top of the hill, is a bench, as are many newly-planted palm trees and bushes. Horses and cows can be observed, as well as ranch houses, and an interesting house that looks more like a greenish meteor. It's a great form of exercise, especially for us hikers used to effortless flat terrains. To get there, from I-75 take Exit 210, Fruitville Road east. Make right at Coburn Road light and follow road as it curves past the Fruitville Library. The Celery Fields will be on your left; Ackerman Lake will be on your right.

I can see my car from here
Greg U.

Celery Fields: Caution-No Stalking. Hummm..There is life on the other side of 75. Been in Sarasota for years and never knew about the Celery Fields. Located east of 75 on Palmer Blvd. is a 400 + acre preserve that at one point actually grew celery. Now it's a park with winding trails and paved pathways. Jutting out of the middle is a huge (by Florida standards) hill with a paved pathway to the top. Magnificent views from the summit that will get you humming The Who's; I can see for miles and miles... Lots of flowers and birds, trails and water. Although it's placarded NO PETS, there are plenty of dog walkers, as well as hikers, joggers and bird watchers. There's a little something for everyone here to enjoy the outdoors. At the entrance is a small lot and gazebo. Overall, an enjoyable piece of real estate.

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5 years ago

I always go there, best places ever, make sure you got before 5:30pm if not, mosquito will eat you alive haha.

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7 years ago

I love hiking here whenever I can get the time! The hill is not too high or low and it's nice and breezy.

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Review Highlights - Celery Fields

In the early hours of the morning (sunrise) you can hear the roar of the lions coming from Big Cat Habitat.

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Little Manatee River State Park

Little Manatee River State Park

(41 reviews)

Sun City

The moneys been put in the box at the booth, it's five bucks and The Honor System is used - thena…read moreseries of slow winding snake turns up the next half mile past the canoe launch and into the parking lot & picnic area where there's also a little playground set up for screaming kids. Last week we explored to the East, logic dictates we head West because there's more land, more trails and a brisk twenty minutes in, past the equestrian area and I had wished I brought my compass . So I looked to the sun, it was my nearing 9:45AM so I made a quick little sundial and determined my bearings, keeping the rays at my right shoulder, a tall pine in the distance for extra measure. So quickly the terrain can change from soft and slow white sand to fast packed non-silty soil to brown and boggy muddy to green and lush all within a stones throw in any direction. Know this friends - you'll be given no help from signage - only arrows , there are numbers from 15 to 3 - yet, not telling ya anything at all - no maps at the gate, nobody in the booth at the gate - nobody official looking around, so be aware of that if you want to see beyond the next turn. Getting turned around is easier than going straight towards the trails end. I assumed that the 15 I saw, then the 7 I saw then the 3&4 means I'd be on a cylindrical circumnavigation - looping back to the pavement that takes you in and separated the two very different sides of the park. We came up on Dude Lake and here in this primitive shallow shored lake - along with birds, turtles are sounds unique to my ears, movements in the brush that have the dogs diving into and thrashing within - only to pop out from the other side dumbfounded and disappointed. There are things that are unseen underneath - human penetration is virtually impossible without damaging the plants, vines and thick green entanglements. I believe these are small creatures, whatever they are but emit the most beautiful sounds, whatever they are.

Nice area to go camping. The rangers explained where to go and bathroom has easy access to find.read more

Celery Fields - hiking - Updated May 2026

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