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Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner - Michael C. Long, Director

Myakka State Forest:
•	Map: Myakka State Forest (pdf, 242k)
•	Map: MSF Trailwalker Trails (pdf, 547k)
•	Map: MSF Trailtrotter Trails (pdf, 553k)

Links:
•	Myakka State Forest SWFWMD

State Forests:
•	State Forests
•	Fees and Other Information
•	Recreation
•	At-A-Glance Recreational Activities
•	Recreation Guide to Florida's State Forests (pdf, 62 pp, 5.3M)
•	Volunteer Opportunities
•	Friends of Florida State Forests

Part of the state forest Trailtrotter program.

Forestry Home > Forest Management > State Forests >

Myakka State Forest

Total Acreage: 8,593
Counties: Sarasota

Myakka State Forest is located in the south western portion of Sarasota County within the city limits of North Port. The forest was purchased in 1995 as part of the Myakka Estuary Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) project using Preservation 2000 and Save Our Rivers funds. Using sound ecosystem management, the Division of Forestry practices multiple-use in managing the forest resources which includes timber management, outdoor recreation, wildlife management, and both ecological and hydrological restoration. the Southwest Water Management District provided funding to purchase half of the state forest and is an important cooperator in the management of the property, especially in regard to hydrological management.

Location

The Myakka State Forest is located in southern Sarasota County approximately 10 miles southeast of Venice and 7 miles west of Port Charlotte. The majority of the forest falls within the city limits of North Port. Access is available off of River Road, about 11 miles south of I-75.

Natural Features

Myakka State Forest is made up primarily of mesic flatwoods with a mixture of longleaf pine and slash pine overstory with a palmetto understory. Numerous depression marshes are scattered throughout the flatwoods, providing many opportunities for viewing wading birds and other wildlife. The forest includes approximately 2.5 miles of frontage on the Myakka River which is designated as an Outstanding Florida Water and a Wild and Scenic River. The Myakkahatchee Creek flows throughout the forest for 1.5 miles and provides an additional water resource.

Photo of Myakka State Forest campground. The Myakka River Campsite is accessible by hiking or by boat.

Timber Management

Timber management practices on Myakka State Forest are important to the restoration and maintenance of forest ecosystems and provide a variety of socioeconomic benefits to Floridians. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, returns 15 percent of the revenue obtained from timber harvests, recreation, and other income-producing services on Myakka State Forest to Sarasota County for educational purposes.

Recreation

Recreational opportunities on Myakka State Forest include camping, hiking, off-road bicycling, horseback riding, wildlife viewing and small game hunting opportunities that include wild hogs (Visit MyFWC.com/hunting for information).

The streams on the forest provide a source for fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking. Myakka State Forest contains 2 hiking trails (North Loop and South Loop) that are included in the Florida Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Hiking Program, as well as horse trails in the Trailtrotter Equestrian Program.

In keeping with its mission to protect and manage Florida's forest resources, the Division of Forestry has developed rules which apply to all State Forest visitors. READ MORE

Trails				Campsites		Other
Hike	Bike	Horse	Canoe	Camp sites	with Electric	Leashed Pets OK	More Activities
				*Primitive	none		Picnicking, fishing, hunting

* State Forest Use Authorization Required.

Contact Us:

Division of Forestry
Myakka State Forest
2000 South River Road
Englewood, FL 34223
Telephone: 941/ 460-1333 or Email Myakka State Forest

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services