Little Manatee River State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Little Manatee River State Park is located in Florida and offers visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of the area.
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Summary
The park is home to a variety of wildlife and plants, making it an excellent destination for nature lovers.
Some of the reasons to visit Little Manatee River State Park include hiking and exploring the trails, fishing, picnicking, and camping. The park also offers kayaking and canoeing opportunities along the river.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of points of interest within the park, including the River Loop Trail, which provides scenic views of the river, and the Cypress Point Trail, which takes hikers through a cypress swamp.
Interesting facts about Little Manatee River State Park include that it is home to a variety of endangered and threatened species, such as the Florida scrub-jay and the gopher tortoise. The park also has a rich history, with evidence of Native American settlements dating back thousands of years.
The best time of year to visit Little Manatee River State Park is in the fall and winter months when temperatures are cooler and there are fewer insects. However, the park is open year-round and offers a unique experience in every season.
Overall, Little Manatee River State Park is an excellent destination for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of Florida and learn about the area's rich history and wildlife.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Little Manatee River State Park
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Youth Camping
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Primative Camp Site
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E G Simmons County Park
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Masonic Park and Youth Camp
Sumner Acres Park
Ruskin Center Park
Beaudette County Park
Hillsborough County Park