Myakka Islands Point

Port Charlotte, Florida: Tucked away at the dead-end of a residential street lies a hidden gem of the Sarasota County park system. Myakka Islands Point sits on the edge of the Myakka River and is home many species of plants and animals.

The 100 acre parcel was purchased in 2006 by Sarasota County as part of their Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. The park takes you on a journey through several distinct ecosystems including the Myakka River, Tidal Marsh, Mangrove Swamp, Scrubby Pine Flatwoods and more. These ecosystems are critical to the environment as they provide home to hawks, wading birds and numerous other species of animals.

The park boasts several hiking trails that loop the park. Both trails have a scenic overlook and benches to take a break during your hike.

We visited the park on December 4, 2011 and hiked the small trail at the entrance to the parking lot. On the trail we encountered a Red-Shouldered Hawk and several different species of butterflies. We started the longer trail but turned around a few hundred yards into the hike as the mosquitoes became intolerable. We will return to finish the hike once the weather turns colder and kills off the remainder of the mosquitoes.

Click on the photo above to see pictures from our hike at Myakka Islands Point.

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