We didn't realize this beautiful area was right here all along. We drive through the gate which…read moretook us to another area for parking and a walk through gate. There are several different habitats and a nice trail to hike along. There is some noise from nearby roads. The old oak trees with Spanish moss draped limbs next to the clear water flowing creek was our favorite part!

Great place for wildlife photography. Otters, Lots of birds, eagles, owls and a lot more. Birders…read moreand hikers are friendly.

Amazing day. We watch Secrets of the Zoo on tv and see them rehabilitate manatees. They bring them…read moreto power plant areas where the warm waters create a great environment for them to thrive. Really cool to see the manatees interact with each other. Some bonding, some rivalries and mostly calm and slow moving. The staff was great. Very helpful with questions. The parking volunteers were really cool and friendly. Go there and take your time to appreciate these great animals.

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.

We decided to do some hiking as the weather was so beautiful! This trail leds you to an old metal…read morebridge where the tannic water lazily flows beneath you. Stop and gaze at the moss covered oak trees and listen to the birds chirping in the underbrush. Continue down the trail that goes from sun to shade with a canopy of gnarled oak limbs covering parts of your way. There are lots of flowers in bloom right now from small white and purple ones on the ground to yellow ones covering the trees, and even some small white ones which reminded me of blooming cherry trees! No cherry trees here but definitely a lot of orange trees. Some people stopped to pick one and then realized these aren't the sweet kind, but sour oranges! It was very funny listening to their reactions after they tasted it! Don't forget to look around for wildlife as you never know what you'll see. I saw a gopher tortoise, a rabbit and a slithering black snake! There are also signs of an older Florida where mining was once prevalent. A large rock pile sits in an open field and more cement pieces can be found scattered in the nearby wooded areas. I hope you to will enjoy your adventure here.

This place is amazing, sometimes a little scary, the alligators will be all around you, but…read moreabsolutely amazing!!!

This place never ceases to amaze me! Every time I come here, I have a different kind of experience…read more That's what I love about it, you never know what you're going to get. I can't wait for my one day where I get the shot to see an alligator sunning himself on the walkway. My children and I still come here on a regular basis to see all the different kinds of wildlife we can count while we're there. It's quite a fun experience!

Great place to hike. Make sure to wear shoes that can get soaked. There are also cows out in the…read morehiking area so keep your distance.

Beautiful preserve. Great for natures walks and photos! Follow me on TikTok: MariaSocialsCoread more

Nice wide trails that two people can walk side by side. Dog friendly so bring your canine, but…read moredon't forget a leash. Not much shade and very sandy so make sure to bring some water. My favorite part is the pine tree area near the pond. The pine tree needles lay on the ground and when the wind blows the sound is melodic blowing through the pine trees. There is one picnic table to sit on for a picnic, but try and ignore the graffiti. There is an area that's preserved and protected for Burrowing owls. I wish I could have seen one or two, but no luck this time. There is traffic noise and watch for what looks like a homeless individual who had ridden a bike in.

A great little spot nearby our home that offers camping, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, Manatee…read moreriver access for kayaks, and clean bathrooms next to the Ranger Station. This 145 acre property located just northwest of the Lake Manatee Dam. The preserve's trail system leads visitors through four distinctive ecosystems, including sand pine scrub, xeric oak scrub, oak hammocks and the river community. The trails are soft underfoot and well traveled. Lovely spot for a sit, a walk or some kayaking!

Like many things in this area, the preserve was once an amazing piece of wild Florida. The overall…read moreupkeep of the park's doesn't seem to matter much, but it's great manatee county can buy brand new trucks for the rangers. Not to mention there is a new boundary fence that was recently put in place, barring anyone from exploring the bush. Orange and yellow trail are passable, but pieces of the red trail near the canoe launch are completely over grown. On top of all that, it is just lovely to hear people start their cars from the brand new neighborhood just a hundred feet from the red trail! Do not go barefoot, and if you must, please look at the ground every once in a while. I have been going to this park for 13 years and have never seen a disgusting needle(not in a doctors office) until today. Truly, it is heartbreaking to see this place be pushed aside and the history be forgotten. Erasmus Rye erected the town or Rye along the manatee river, may his namesake never be forgotten.

Great area for bird watching!…read more We parked in the free lot, climbed some of the hill, and then crossed the street for a short walk to the water viewing wooden piers. We were able to see some great birds and the water was beautiful. Very peaceful area that we could've easily spent more time in. It was sweltering outside so make sure to bring a sun umbrella, hat, and water.

We visited Celery Fields on a recent Monday morning, with the hope of seeing and photographing…read more 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.

We were excited at first, but as someone else mentioned, make sure you bring bug spray!read more

Terra Ceia Preserve State Park is 2,000 acres of diverse ecosystems including mangrove forests,…read morefreshwater and saltwater wetlands, and uplands communities. There are no facilities so plan ahead to bring bug spray, water and a bag for trash. This preserve is undergoing habitat restoration to return agricultural land to its natural and ecologically diverse condition. It is a great place to take a hike on many of the trails or go birding. You can see native and migrating birds along the trails. Common birds like little blue herons, white ibis found wading along the shore, bald eagle flying and, my favorite, roseate spoonbills wading in the shallows. Fishing is allowed in the saltwater and freshwater mix. Kayaking and canoes are a great way to see the preserve, too. The unimproved boat ramp at Bishop Harbor is the closest place to launch. Though, canoe/kayak launches can be found on Bishop Harbor Road and Stotz Road. I like Terra Ceia and would definitely go back. I like that it is being restored and the wildlife is returning. It's wonderful to have these areas being restored for people and wildlife to enjoy. Check the website before going for updates and more information.