We visited Celery Fields on a recent Monday morning, with the hope of seeing and photographing sandhill cranes, roseate spoonbills, and other birds. We were partially successful. There are 2 buildings adjacent to the main parking lot at Celery Fields. Each has a purple martin house, and both of these were very active when we were there. One of the buildings houses Audubon Society volunteers who can advise you where to see birds. There's a small garden outside of this building that's worth a visit. The other building, on the opposite side of the parking lot, has rest rooms. There's a crosswalk across Palmer Blvd. near the parking lot, leading to a boardwalk over a marshy area. A recent rain attracted quite a few birds when we were there in mid-March 2026. At the end of the boardwalk there's a gazebo for observing the birds. Another marshy area and gazebo is along Raymond Rd. Parking is available on the grass along the road. There was lots of bird activity. We saw many varieties, including herons, egrets, a caracara, a northern harrier, ibises, wood storks, gallinule, osprey, anhinga, and many others. There are lots of trails near the marshes, in addition to the boardwalks. Celery Fields is a great spot to go hikng and birding. Sunscreen is advisable because most of the areas are not shaded. read more

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Nice place to take a walk. We brought our pack and a picnic. 3pm Thursday and not busy at all. Clean restrooms. read more

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Very nice boardwalk and observation areas. Parking and restrooms are nice. We have been a couple times and will be back. read more

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. read more

Celery Fields - Hiking Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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

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Great little hiking spot with nice views. The trails are a bit beat up due to the recent bad weather, but it's a nice walk. It's not that long, so we did it several times. We got to see lots of birds and rabbits along the way. The parking lot was very crowded when we arrived, but we didn't really encounter many people when walking the trail. The highlight was hearing the lions/tigers roaring. We have now bought tickets to go to the Big Cat Sanctuary. read more

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! read more

Celery Fields - Top of the mound at the park - Hiking Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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. read more

Celery Fields - Hiking Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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. read more

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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. read more

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

Celery Fields has always been one of my favorite places to go in Sarasota. It's usually a little breezier than other parks in the area due to elevation. I'm a photographer, so I love to take clients here for photos, whether it be for family photos, engagement photos, senior portraits! It's beautiful at both sunrise and sunset. Photos by Katie Beiler Photography read more

How does this get three or more stars? Ok, there's a little history/a story, but if you go once, you're "good", (ie, no need to return). It's not a bad place, but it offers nothing really. So it's nearly the highest elevation in the area but that's not saying much because it's more like a mound, not a hill. Yes, it's a different exercise, outdoors, climbing a mound, or leisurely walking on a path that circles it; but it's not worth repeat drives over to it. While I appreciate it, I'm not drawn to it, at all. read more

A big hill. Nice little park. Great for a walk, hike or just to relax and enjoy the scenery. We were able to view the zoo place across the way and hear the animals! read more

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Love it here so much. Great place to really work out your legs. It's very rare to find a place in the area that has any sort of hill, so this was a treat. Lots of paths leading up the hill and places to wander around as you make your way back down. Looking forward to coming back here in the fall when it is not blistery hot out. read more

This is where you can go to see the non beach side of Florida. Absolutely beautiful views from the top of the mound. Great place to take visitors, dates or to just go by yourself and gain some perspective. Use restroom before going, not very clean when I've been. read more

It's called celery fields because it used to be a celery field that has long been renovated into a small hill next to the 2 parking lots and 4-6 ponds. The visitor center is open only 9am-1pm; I missed it so can't comment on it. It has a nice countryside feel. Nice for jogging/hiking. I came for the birding and saw multiple great egrets, wood storks, tricolored herons, anhinga, limpkin, mottled ducks, ospreys. There is no path/walkway connecting the far side of the ponds so u can't make a complete circle around the ponds. The ponds are too big to walk back and forth for birding. Warning: there is NO shade at all. It is brutal for birding or jogging/hiking for extended periods of time (I don't recommend more than 2 hrs) when it is sunny (which is always in the Sunshine state) before suffering heat stroke. read more

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

The Celery Fields in Sarasota, Florida is a fun place to take a hike and birdwatch. We spent a coup m e hours here and found the bird population rather reduced--lots of limpkin, anhingas, great egret, bald eagles, red-tailed hawk, cormorant, great Blue heron, Sandhill crane, Louisiana or Tricolor heron, little blue heron, white ibis but in just a few numbers. Also a Northern Shrike, palm warbler, and a bittern in flight, not sure which one. The local Orlando area Audubon takes a weekend trip here. The park features restrooms, a big parking lot, a hill with gravelly paths that is undergoing habitat restoration and a large number of dikes that lead out through the watershed. The dikes are grassy and mowed but can be low and muddy in points. Choose your dike with care because the dikes seldom connect. read more

Go in the evening at sunset and you can enjoy the sounds of the lions and tigers next door. Great safe place for hiking with kids too. They just added bathrooms and nicer parking lot. read more

Celery Fields - Photosession at celery fields. Photo credit: Keli Francis - Hiking Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Terrific place to visit wether you are hiking or just sightseeing. Tons of trails and a giant hill make this place a terrific park to check out! read more

Having visited literally hundreds of parks this "park" is somewhat disappointing. It is basically the dredged excavated spoils from the adjacent drainage ponds. On top of the "hills" is scrub vegetation and a few rustic paths. In the summer it is extremely hot and humid and there is no shade. If you are a "birder" there are decks and walkways in the adjacent pond areas and they are rich with birds. But then you can see birds in nearly any part of the area where there are drainage ponds and trees. An Audobon facility is nearby but poorly staffed. read more

Came here spontaneously with my boyfriend after lunch and wasn't properly dressed for a hike/walking attire. After walking up the hill, the view was breath taking. Though the weather was sunny and humid, the sight/view was totally worth the discomfort. Coming from California, it's going to take me some time to adjust to the weather here. read more

Great location for some exercise while taking in the sights and sounds of nature around you. Every once in a while you can hear the animals next door at the Big Cat Habitat. read more

Sarasota's Manitou Incline - with Birds Others describe it well - Congrats for the "no stalking" title! This actually once was celery fields, then drained, now reconfigured. Today this is in the middle of some prime ranch land without much else nearby (though close enough to the main road) and has recently become part of Audubon Society's network of preserves and sanctuaries. Now there is a nature center which hosts mini-tours and educational events, near the parking lot (my 80-something year old mom did that and enjoyed it). But looming above the center and lot you can't miss a huge "mound" rising high up, with some steep inclines up to some walkways and trails. Some are marked "not an official trail" (as they are steep and possibly dangerous) and others meander at lesser angles. I watched some very athletic folks go up the steep rock "trail" - which is what reminded me of Colorado's Manitou incline where soldiers and serious hikers/athletes train - and some went up full-sprint, and even backwards. So, for endurance/cardio workouts, after a day at work, it's optimal. For the non-athletes and/or nature lovers, at the base are several bird feeders which had constant visitors (unless one walks too too close to them) and info posters - and restrooms. Going up a steep or more leisurely trail gives you a view of a lake/pond and the surrounding areas, with some tropical trees on top as well as more birds and trails and views. So what you get out of it may depend on your goal - be it serious or moderate exercise, seeing some birds and nearby farms with horses, etc., or attending a nature/birding lecture. Worth a look. read more

A lovely place for wildlife and bird photography. Easy boardwalk to middle of waterway, or climb hill near gift shop for spectacular views of surrounding area. Friendly and helpful personnel in gift shop. Gift shop is clean, bright, and well-equipped with maps, books, and brochures. Very good place for a family outing. Highly recommend. read more