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Little Manatee River
Overview
Little Manatee River State Park offers a serene escape into one of Florida’s most pristine natural landscapes. Located along the banks of a river designated as an Outstanding Florida Water, the park provides a quiet atmosphere for those looking to reconnect with nature. It is renowned for its diverse ecosystems and the gentle flow of the river that winds through the property, offering a glimpse of the state's original wilderness. This park is managed as a preservation area, ensuring that the local flora and fauna remain the primary focus for every visitor.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in Wimauma, Florida, the park feels worlds away from the urban bustle while remaining conveniently close to the Tampa Bay area and major routes like Interstate 75. The surroundings are defined by rare sand pine scrub and lush riverine hardwood forests. Visitors can explore miles of winding trails that showcase the unique topography of the Gulf Coast region. The river itself serves as the centerpiece of the location, creating a lush green corridor that supports a wide variety of local wildlife and migratory birds.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground features 30 spacious campsites equipped with water and electricity to accommodate diverse RV setups. Each site is designed to offer a level of privacy within the wooded landscape and includes a picnic table and a fire ring for evening gatherings. Key features include:
- Full-service restrooms and hot showers for convenience.
- Accessible laundry facilities located within the campground loop.
- A dedicated canoe and kayak launch for easy river access.
- Over 6 miles of hiking trails and designated equestrian paths.
The park also maintains a playground and several shaded riverside pavilions that are perfect for afternoon rests and group picnics.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Beyond the park boundaries, the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach is a popular destination during the cooler months. For those seeking urban excitement, the diverse attractions of Tampa and the cultural sites of Sarasota are within a forty-minute drive. Outdoor enthusiasts often venture to the nearby Cockroach Bay Preserve for additional paddling and bird-watching. Golfers will also find several highly-rated courses in the surrounding Wimauma area, providing a different way to enjoy the Florida sunshine.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for paddling enthusiasts and hikers who prioritize natural beauty and quietude over the commercial amenities of a luxury resort. It is a perfect fit for RVers traveling in smaller to mid-sized rigs who enjoy a rustic, peaceful environment. If you value wildlife sightings, dark night skies, and the sounds of the forest over organized activities or swimming pools, this park will offer the authentic outdoor experience you are seeking.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Scott Rubin
This is a small and quiet Park. The Camping area is very small with generally small campsites. The aren't many activities with only one hiking traile open during our visit. Glad we went but doubt we will return... there ate other "better" FL State Parks.
Anita Garcia
Beautiful little campground. Just right for weekend getaway. The showers and bathrooms are extremely clean. This is the most handicap accessible park I've been to.. even kayaking and canoe launch has a great place for people in need of help to get in!
Salex
This park is all about being the REAL Florida as far as what it would have looked like before people came in and bulldozed it all away and built homes and stripmalls and parkinglots. Yep, this is what it all used to look like in this area at least. Well, minus the little bit of roads and a couple of small buildings for bathrooms and a nice small boat/kayak/canoe landing area, which I must admit is pretty nice. It was a schorcher of a day, with temps in the mid to upper 90's, I'm sure with the humidity it probably pushed the misery (heat) index well over 100. Not the best day for a walk on trails that have very little in the way of tree canopy cover, but there was some that offered a little relief though. I saw two gopher tortoise while here and a Lubber grasshopper as well as a miriad of anole lizards, almost 100% Bahamian dudes and ladies. No gators in sight at the Little Manatee River. Just a few water bugs to see there. It was pretty full and was running at a pretty good clip and of course looked just like brewed tea as far as the color of the water with all the tannen's in it from the fallen leaves and other things. My son and my grandson and I only saw one other visitor the entire time we were there, so it's scarcely over run with people. And it was a Friday afternoon from 2:45pm until about 5:30pm.
Alex Weaver
Had the best experience staying here for five nights, early June. The spots are VERY private, so much so that it made the spots feel extra HOT. We didn't mind though since privacy isn't something you always get when camping. The campground was quiet and had a few nice surprises, such as laundry, a dump site and very clean & large stall restroom/showers. Lots of really neat paths all around and the playground and ampitheter was a nice treat for my daughter. Would definitely come again, but probably not mid-summer, ha!
Dani MCDonald
Stopped by for the day 5/17, extremely hot by 10/11am 92 degrees! Some mosquitoes out but not a lot. Saw one deer, no other wild life, 2.5 mile trail we did from the all trails app. You will park over by equestrian parking.