Location: Myakka River State Park
Trailhead (Google Plus Code): 7P24+GC Myakka City, Florida
Hike Length: 3 miles
Time Estimate: 2 hours
Habitats: Hardwood Hammock, Dry Prairie, Wetlands
Notes: This is a relatively dry hike, good for a wet season, and it’s on flat, fairly even ground. However, always be prepared for some wetness under foot. The hike covers a variety of Myakka’s ecosystems, including, Dry Prairie, Wetlands, and Hydric Hammock. This starts at the parks main road heading east on Power Line, north on All Weather Road, then west on Ranch House Road.
- Wildflowers – Look for a wide range of wildflowers here, which change with the seasons.
- Longleaf Pines – The pine flatwoods is the home of slash and longleaf pines. They are sometimes hard to distinguish, but the longleaf pines have particularly large cones.
- Multiple habitats/Ecosystems – This hike will take you through a variety of Florida’s Habitats/Ecosystems.
- Dry prairie ecosystem – This is a great example of the endangered ecosystem: Florida Dry Prairie.
- Prairie Butterflies – This is butterfly heaven… keep your eyes open for white peacocks, buckeyes, bella moths and more.
- Alligators – Keep an eye out for alligators, which are particularly common in the wetter spots near the shore.
- Live Oaks – This is a great place to see live oaks, both endemic and iconic to the Old South.
- Wetlands Ecosystem – This hike includes access to a wetlands ecosystem.
