For those who want a break within nature there are few better places to go in Florida than Little Manatee River State Park.
Covering 2,433-acres, much of this Florida state park is centered around the river to which it is named after.
Appropriately designated as an ‘Outstanding Florida Water’, it starts from a swampy area situated close to Fort Lonesome and runs for almost 40 miles until it reaches Tampa Bay.
Within the park it flows for around 6 miles, passing through 11 natural, diverse and unique communities along the way. Many of which contain ecosystems that are rare outside of the park.
Falling within the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, the park is home to many different species of birds and wildlife. It is also a popular spot for boating, fishing, hiking, biking, horse riding and picnicking.
For campers there is a full range of accommodation options available, including sites for RVs, trailers and tents, as well as equestrian and group/youth camps.
Activities
For guests, the park offers several ways to enjoy and immerse themselves within its beautiful scenery.
Outlined below is a brief overview of some of the many activities you can do during your time there.
Paddling at Little Manatee River State Park
The river provides plenty of opportunities to head out onto the water in a kayak or canoe.
Featuring several turns and twists, the freshwater river will take you on a course through a shady hammock of bays, ash, hickory and oaks if you head upstream.
Should you decide to go downstream you will head towards cockroach bay and eventually into the Gulf of Mexico.
Fishing at Little Manatee River State Park
For those who enjoy fishing the park is a veritable goldmine.
Comprising tidally influenced, rain-fed freshwater and brackish water, it teems with many different species.
Depending on where you go you can catch bluegill, Florida gar, sunfish, catfish, snook, shiners and largemouth bass among several other types.
If you intend to fish you must hold both a current saltwater and freshwater fishing license. The best access for fishing can be gained by canoe or kayak.
Trails at Little Manatee River State Park
Throughout the park there are several trails that showcase its stunning topography. These are specifically designated or multi-use trails for hiking, biking and horse riding.
One of the most popular trails in the park is Sand Pine Trail which can be used for hiking and biking. Covering almost 3 miles it is a stacked loop system that will lead you to the central day use area.
Many hikers choose to tackle the rustic 6.5 mile trail that ventures deep into the heart of the park through several of its natural communities.
For those with their horse, the Dude Lake Trail and Blue Trail are highly recommended.
Birding at Little Manatee River State Park
The park is a haven for those who enjoy birding.
A designated location within the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, it is home to many different species.
This includes the likes of blue jays, pileated woodpeckers, sparrow, wrens, red bellied woodpeckers and cardinals.
You should also see birds of prey like hawks, kestrels and owls, while down by the marshes and wetlands, breeds such as egrets, ibis, herons, sandhill cranes and roseate spoonbills are also in abundance.
Nature & Wildlife
Wildlife watching is one of the park’s most popular activities. With people coming from all over the state and beyond to see the many different species of flora and fauna that reside within its 2,400 acre habitat.
If you can, try and visit the park at sunrise or sunset as you are likely to see more animals during these times.
Expect to see the likes of alligators, manatees, turtles and otters in and around the water. Over in the flatwoods, uplands and scrubs you should be able to view white-tailed deer, rabbit, red and gray fox, bobcat, Eastern spotted skunk, snakes and gopher tortoises.
When watching the wildlife it is important to do it from a distance. Park rules stipulate that you are not allowed to feed, trap, hunt, harass or molest any of the animals.
Pets at Little Manatee River State Park
Dogs are allowed to join you at Little Manatee River State Park Campground. However, they must be kept restrained on a leash of no more than 6 feet in length when they are outside your vehicle.
Other restrictions may also apply. So to determine what they are it is a good idea to contact the main office for further clarification.
Camping at Little Manatee River State Park
For those who want to stay at the park there are plenty of camping options available.
This includes a loop with 30 sites that are set up for RV, trailer and tent camping. All of these sites come with an electrical pedestal that has either 20, 30 or 50 amp connections. They also have their own picnic tables, fire rings and water too.
Some of the amenities you will find at this campground include a bathhouse with warm showers, flush toilets, Coin-operated washing machines and dryers and a dump station.
In addition to these sites, there are also four sites set up for equestrian camping with horse stalls and the same facilities.
Primitive campsites for individuals, as well as those for general and youth groups are also available at the park too.
These sites do not come with electricity or water, but they do have their own fire rings and picnic tables. Be aware that if you want to stay here, you will need to pack in and pack out all your supplies.
Park Location
Little Manatee River State Park 215 Lightfoot Rd Wimauma, FL 33598 Phone: 813.671.5005
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Little Manatee River State Park:
Tampa Bay’s Wild River
Little Manatee offers scenic paddling through 2,500 acres of blackwater river wilderness—close to Tampa but feels remote!
Can I kayak here?
Yes! Excellent kayaking. Put in at the park and paddle downstream or upstream.
Explore More Florida State Parks
Little Manatee River State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Florida. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Florida guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Insider Tips
Wild Florida: Little Manatee River preserves one of the most pristine blackwater rivers near Tampa Bay. Pro tip: The 6.5-mile hiking trail winds through diverse habitats — sandhill, hammock, and floodplain. Paddling: The river offers excellent canoeing through wilderness just 30 minutes from Tampa.
Best Time to Visit
Winter: Perfect weather, no mosquitoes. Spring: Wildflowers. Fall: Comfortable temperatures. Summer: Hot and buggy — early morning only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I kayak at Little Manatee River?
Yes. The Little Manatee River offers excellent paddling through a scenic, winding blackwater river corridor. Kayak and canoe rentals are available at the park. The river is gentle with no rapids — suitable for beginners. Allow 2-3 hours for the full paddle.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park (a short drive away) and Terra Ceia Preserve State Park (a short drive away).
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Little Manatee River State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Domestic pets are welcome in many Florida State Parks — on hiking trails, in picnic areas and campgrounds — but only in designated areas.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leashes may not exceed 6 feet; pets must be under physical control at all times.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on beaches, boardwalks or playgrounds, or in bathing areas — swimming pets can be viewed as prey by alligators.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in any state park buildings, cabins or cabin areas.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets prohibited at several parks including Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs (free kennels at the entrance), Weeki Wachee Springs and Egmont Key; in campgrounds pets must be confined in the camping unit 11 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Dogs & wildlife
- FWC's statewide alligator guidance is the one that counts on this river: keep your dog on a leash and away from the water's edge and never let it swim in fresh or brackish water, because pets resemble alligators' natural prey - and the park separately bans pets from its canoes and kayaks and from the primitive camping areas.
Are dogs allowed at Little Manatee River State Park?
Domestic pets are welcome in many Florida State Parks — on hiking trails, in picnic areas and campgrounds — but only in designated areas. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via floridastateparks.org. More: Florida state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
🐻 Wildlife at Little Manatee River State Park: What to Watch For — and Watch Out For
Worth watching for: From a canoe or kayak on the six miles of Little Manatee River inside the park, expect turtles - Florida cooter, Florida softshell, snapping, alligator snapping and chicken turtles - plus Florida gar, bluegill, warmouth, largemouth bass, snook and mullet, with otters turning up occasionally. Manatees use the river's narrow channels and many oxbows in late spring and summer before congregating in the Gulf for the cold season; they graze the banks and keep moving, so a paddle is your best chance of finding one. On land the park is a designated stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail: gopher tortoises graze the road shoulders and campsite edges, ibis, herons, egrets, wood storks and roseate spoonbills feed in the marshes, sandhill cranes nest and raise young here, and the old snags along the Sandpine Trail hold pileated and red-bellied woodpeckers and screech owls. Sunrise and sunset are the park's own recommended viewing windows.
Watch out for: The park lists alligators among the frequent river sightings, so treat the banks, the oxbows and every pull-out along the paddling trail as gator water. FWC's statewide guidance applies: never feed an alligator (it is illegal and dangerous), keep your distance, swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours, and remember that alligators are most active between dusk and dawn and grow more active and visible as the weather warms toward mating season. The park also names four venomous snakes - eastern diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, water moccasin and coral snake - alongside the far more common harmless racers, rat snakes and kingsnakes, so watch your footing on the sandy scrub trails, the 15-plus miles of shared-use equestrian trails and the wetland edges where frogs and turtles concentrate. Park rules are explicit: all wildlife is protected and must be viewed from a distance.
Are there venomous snakes at Little Manatee River State Park?
Yes — see above for where they occur in the park and how to behave. Sightings are a normal part of a healthy park; incidents are rare when visitors keep distance and store food properly.
Wildlife information verified July 2026 via floridastateparks.org.
Park Location
Plan your gear for Little Manatee River State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
