Back to Birding Hot Spots

Description: The park comprises about 58 square miles of wetlands, praries, hammocks and pine land., It is one of Florida's largest and most diverse natural areas. The river and its two shallow lakes attract a wide variety of wildlife making the park a popular location for birding and other activities. A seven mile drive goes through oak/palm hammocks and along the shore of Upper Lake. Over 39 miles of hiking trails exist. The park includes a Canopy Walkway which extends through an oak/palm canopy. The park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930's. Many original buildings including the Visitors' Center are still in use. During the summer season the Center is open but unstaffed.

Vegetation Communities: Over 700 native and exotic plants can be found in the park's wet lands, praries, hammocks and pine lands.

Location: The park is located on SR72 about 30 miles from Arcadia to the East and nine miles from I-75 in Sarasota. Entrance fees are $3.00 for a vehicle with one occupant and $5.00 for a vehicle with up to eight occupants. King"s Highway offer an attractive 55 mile route to the park measured from I-75 at the intersection with SR72 turning left for about 21 miles to the park.

Amenities: Food, gift shop, canoe/bicycle/kayak rentals, parking and rest rooms.

Animal Species: Not all of these species can be seen year-round.

Birds that you will likely encounter:

Flycatchers, Shrikes, Vireos, Jays and Crows, Swallows, Titmouse, Nuthatches and Wrens, Kinglets and Gnatcatchers, Thrushes, Mockingbirds and Thrashers, Starlings, Pipits, Waxwings, Warblers, Tanagers, Towhees and Sparrows and Longspurs, Cardinals, Blackbirds, Finches and Old World Sparrows. Over the course of a year on the order of 100 species have been observed Red shouldered hawks, turkeys and barred owls sometimes can be seen along the park drives. The river, lakes and wet lands attract ducks, wading birds, sand hill cranes, roseate spoonbills, eagles, ospreys and shore birds. Along the prarie and pine land trails, the opportunity exists to see caracaras, Bachman's sparrows, quail, and meadowlarks.

Documented Mammal:

Documented Amphibians:

Documented Reptiles: