Florida Hikes

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Lush woodland at the base of a tall pine

Conservatory Park

A place for nature play, Conservatory Park is a 55 acre family-friendly patch of wild in the thick of suburbia along the Bradenton-Sarasota border with an accessible loop hike.

Bradenton (27.39684, -82.49218)   0.7 miles  

Surrounded by subdivisions on the southern edge of Bradenton, this well-hidden woodland park does a fabulous job of blotting them out.

Walk its winding 3/4 mile paved loop past enchanting nature play features and a large pond with an observation deck.

Two separate entrances provide parking, with picnic tables adjoining.

Paved path in pine flatwoods An accessible loop in the woods

Resources

Resources for exploring the area
Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover South Florida Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in South Florida book cover Paddlers Guide Florida
 
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Overview

Location: Bradenton
Length: 0.7 miles
Trailhead: 27.39684, -82.49218
Address: 8027 Conservatory Dr, Sarasota
Fees: Free
Restroom: Adjoining the playground
Land Manager: Manatee County
Phone: 941-742-5923

Open dawn to dusk. Leashed dogs welcome; pick up after your pet.

Directions


 
From Interstate 75 exit 213, Sarasota, take University Pkwy west 2.2 miles to Whitfield Ave (County Line Rd). Turn right. Continue 0.3 miles north to Timberlake Rd. Turn left. Continue 0.3 mile to Desoto Woods Dr. Turn left and follow it until it ends.

Hike

From the north parking area, follow the sidewalk to meet the asphalt path winding through tall pines.

Turn left for a clockwise circuit, entering a remnant of the flatwoods that once blanketed the area.

Man walking dog along pine shaded path Path into the pines

Curve past a cluster of ancient saw palmetto amid a tangled understory beneath the pines. Pass a sign with a park map.

Quickly enveloped by birdsong and the rustle of leaves, walk by a picnic shelter.

Picnic shelter Picnic shelter in the woods

After a slight rise, oaks provide a lower canopy under the pines. Grapevines mound across the forest floor.

At the first nature play stop, a cluster of giant mushrooms rises behind an interpretive sign. Around the next curve, pass a picnic shelter.

Mushrooms to play on in the woods Mushroom play area

A brick walkway to the left curves towards an outdoor amphitheater. Marsh ferns grow thickly beneath arches of live oaks.

Cross a broad bridge to a junction with a trail leading towards a playground. A building with restrooms and a picnic shelter adjoins.

Bridge on paved path Bridge to trail junction

Continue straight ahead, reaching the southern trailhead for the park. Walk along its edge behind the yellow line to resume the paved pathway.

At 0.4 miles, a spur to the left emerges on an observation deck overlooking a small lake.

Deck with park bench on edge of lake Observation deck

Turtles bob in the dark water, outlined by a forested far shore. A short footpath from the deck leads to a launch.

Turn around to cross the entrance road, continuing into the forest on the paved path. Grapevines and saw palmetto crowd the understory.

Dock on lake Paddler’s launch and dock

Pass a bench and another sign with a park map. Walking between walls of dense vegetation, arrive at a nature play area about birds.

Oaks knit a low canopy above near a rowing machine. Curve under the archways of oaks to an interpretive sign.

Paved path in woods Woodland path

It illustrates the Manatee River watershed, which covers over 350 square miles. The middle trail from the playground comes in from the left by a play area about butterflies.

A bridge arches over the fern-filled basin just past the junction. Weaving under the pines, reach the sidewalk leading to the parking area by 0.7 miles.

Paved path under forest canopy Approaching the junction and bridge

Trail Map

Conservatory Park Trail Map

Explore More!

Video

Walking the loop at Conservatory Park

Slideshow

See our photos from Conservatory Park

Nearby Adventures

White pathway in pine flatwoods Johnson Preserve A 44 acre tract of wild amid suburbia, Johnson Preserve provides a rare opportunity for public access to the upper reaches of the Braden River.
Shell path under live oaks Phillippi Estate Park A historic mansion and farmhouse anchor this 60-acre county park with paddler access to Phillippi Creek, fishing piers, and shell paths along a coastal hammock.
Picnic shelter at Urfer Family Park Urfer Family Park Share nature with the kids along Bee Ridge on 1.4 miles of family-friendly trails in a popular county park with four playgrounds surrounding a 1905 home open for tours.
Orchids dangling from pergolas above a walkway Marie Selby Gardens Most notable for its collection of more than 6,000 orchids, Marie Selby Gardens is a must-see for those who love tropical plants, especially epiphtyes.

Official Website

Sandra Friend
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