When it comes to the perfect Florida getaway, there’s no place better than Anna Maria Island. From great food to great attractions to amazing beaches and ocean adventures, it’s all here. And with Anna Maria Island vacation rentals from Mike Norman Realty, you’ll never be closer to all the fantastic action on the Island and the surrounding areas. Even better, you’ll have easy access to all the wonderful things to do in Sarasota – less than an hour away – including Sarasota Jungle Gardens, the world-famous Ringling Museum, and more.
Best of all, when you book a waterfront vacation rental with Mike Norman Realty on Anna Maria Island, you can do it all with the amenities you want at a price to suit your budget. Live like the locals, explore like a tourist, and have the time of your life!
Read on to find out about one of Florida’s adventure gems, Myakka River State Park. Then, book your stay with us and get exploring today!
About the State Park
If you’re looking for hiking near Anna Maria Island at a Sarasota state park – and one of Florida’s largest and oldest parks – Myakka River State Park is the place to explore. Here, you’ll see the mighty Myakka River flows through 58 square miles of terrain and get up close and personal with nature and wildlife as you’ve never seen before. Palm and oak dot the landscape, playing host to the native birds on the grounds. If you’re lucky, you may spot a turtle or alligator catching some sun.
Myakka River State Park boasts an incredible amount of diversity, featuring wetlands, hammocks, prairies, and pinelands. You can take advantage of it all because boating, kayaking, canoeing, cycling, and fishing are all available for guests. Whether you’re into horseback riding, birding, hiking, paddling – or just a lazy-day picnic – Myakka River State Park is not to be missed.
From June 1 to December 15, the park is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. From December 16 to May 31, the park is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. At Myakka River, adventure is always in season at a price to suit everyone: vehicles with 2-8 people will pay $6 for a day pass, and single-passenger vehicles pay $4. If you want to walk or ride to the park, it costs $2 to get in.
Wildlife Tours
One of the many highlights of the park are the various wildlife tours – either by boat or tram – that run from 45 minutes to an hour, and they are the best way to take in all the sights and sounds. Boat tours run every two hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tram tours run every two hours from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost for these terrific tours is reasonable: free for children under 3, $12 for children 3-12, and $20 for adults. Two-tour combos are available for $19 for a child 3-12 and $32 for adults.
Canopy Walkway
If you genuinely want to get high above it all and see the diverse landscape and wildlife from a view usually reserved for the birds, check out the Myakka Canopy Walkway – the first public treetop trail in North America. From the majesty of the canopy, the glory of the oak/palm hammock is yours. At 25 feet above the ground, with a canopy extension of 100 feet, the walkway provides a great experience. If you’re a little braver and want to get a whole light higher, check out the much taller 74-foot tower and get a thrill – and view – like no other.
The Birdwalk
Myakka State Park is renowned for its freshwater wetland environment. The Birdwalk brings visitors into the ecosystem in a way that’s both unique and immersive. If you want a safe but fun way to introduce children to an alligator, the Birdwalk is the place to do it.
If you have a passion for birds, step onto the Birdwalk and take in as many species as you can count! Notice the trees that grow in this area because their roots have adapted to thrive in both saturated and damp soil. The Birdwalk is also unique because as you progress, you’ll move from a tree-lined stroll to a marshy floodplain where vegetation resides underwater in the wet season.
There are places to sit and gaze at the beautiful, lush landscape, and educational signs along the way help you learn and truly get to know what you’re looking at. Birds, fish, reptiles, and more await your visit!
Plan Your Next Visit
Don’t wait another minute. Reach out to us today to book your Anna Maria Island vacation rental. Pack your bathing suits and towels for the beach, but also your hiking shoes and binoculars, and let the ocean and Myakka River State Park give you all the relaxation and adventure you crave.
Explore the Waterway
Waterways are the lifeblood of Myakka State Park, and there’s so much to explore! There are American alligators in the park – Florida’s state reptile –, and if you catch them at just the right time, you might be able to see them sunning themselves along the banks of the river. The park is also a birder’s delight. Anhinga is always hunting and Ospreys are constantly soaring high above while wading birds prowl the shallows. You can view the water from the miles of hiking trails, but if watching all the activity from dry land isn’t enough, pack your binoculars into a waterproof bag and get wet! Visitors to Myakka State Park can hop into their canoes and kayaks to get a truly immersive experience, or you can take a boat tour and leave the navigating to someone else. Hourly canoe, kayak, and bicycle rentals are available.
Book an Anna Maria Island Vacation Rentals
Suppose you’ve planned a vacation on Anna Maria Island. In that case, you’re in luck because Myakka River State Park is so close by – less than an hour’s drive via the I-75 N and FL-64 W – in Sarasota County. That means you can wake up on the Island, drive a little south to explore all the ecosystem diversity Florida has to offer, and still be home to enjoy a sunset dinner near the beach. And Mike Norman Realty is just the company to help you make it happen.
Our beautiful Anna Maria Island vacation rentals give you the privacy you want, the amenities you need, and the stay of a lifetime you deserve. Our waterfront rental homes provide breathtaking views of the ocean, easy beach access, accommodations for 4-10 people, updated interiors, large bedrooms (with soft, high-quality beds), WiFi access, and complete kitchens. Feel free to browse our offerings and choose what’s right for you.
Mike Norman Realty is the name to remember for Anna Maria Island waterfront rentals. And when we say bring the whole family, we mean it because we also offer Anna Maria Island pet-friendly rentals just in case your furry companion wants to explore the parks and beaches with you! You don’t have to cut corners to do it because these pet-friendly paradises come with many of the same incredible amenities and conveniences you expect.