Florida Hikes

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

Sand pines flanking a white footpath

Little Manatee River Nature Trails

The aptly named Sandpine and Oxbow Trails interconnect to showcase sand pine scrub and winding curves alongside a blackwater river.

Wimauma (27.675444, -82.376139)   2.0 miles   Little Manatee River State Park

This popular state park takes its name from a well-preserved, wild river that twists and turns through it.

Little Manatee River State Park is a destination for paddling, hiking, and camping easily reached by residents of the Tampa metro area.

On its north shore, a trail built and maintained by the Florida Trail Association meanders across shady bottomland forests and sandy bluffs on a 6.5 mile loop.

River basin with forested banks Little Manatee River

In sharp contrast, the Sandpine Trail traverses a crescent of dry, sun-drenched scrub habitat on the south side of the river.

Along it, a side loop explores a small hammock and marsh within an oxbow of the river.

In 2024, Hurricane Milton toppled numerous sand pines and caused extensive erosion of the riverbanks, leading to a partial closure of the Oxbow Nature Trail.

Trail sign at junction Oxbow Nature Trail junction (Sandra Friend)

Resources

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

Location: Tampa
Length: 2.0 miles
Trailhead: 27.675444, -82.376139
Address: 215 Lightfoot Road, Wimauma
Fees: $5 per vehicle
Restrooms: At the trailhead / canoe launch and playground
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 813-671-5005

Open 8:00 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.

Directions


 
From Interstate 75 south of Tampa, take exit 240A, Sun City Center/Ruskin. Drive east on SR 674 through Sun City Center 3 miles to US 301. Head south on US 301, passing the Little Manatee River Trail trailhead after 2.7 miles and crossing the Little Manatee River after 3 miles. You’ll see the Canoe Outpost entrance on the right after you cross the bridge. Continue another couple of miles to the park entrance on the right. Drive down the main park road for 1.6 miles and make a right, continuing another tenth of a mile to the canoe launch and trailhead.

Hike

Starting at the kayak launch area, look to the west for a sandy corridor leading into the forest.

In a hundred feet, a short side path cuts over to a view of the river from a tall bluff.

Continue following the main trail westward as it weaves past patches of fuzzy sand spikemoss, thorny hog plums, and an assortment of wild blueberries.

Sidewalk past a restroom Sidewalk to the kayak launch

Although shade is sparse, clusters of sand live oaks draped with Spanish moss form small canopies.

At 0.2 miles, reach an eastern intersection with the Oxbow Loop, providing access to the partially closed trail.

Moss draped oaks Sand live oaks

Turn right to follow an undulating pathway into a hammock of cabbage palms and live oaks with glimpses of the river through dense underbrush.

In less than a quarter mile, the trail ends at a washed-out portion next to a swampy depression marsh.

Visitors must backtrack to the main trail until a permanent fix can be made.

Footpath through hammock Oxbow hammock

Returning to the Sandpine Trail, head west, passing a pair of covered picnic areas alongside scenic riverbends.

In 100 feet, stay straight while crossing an intersection with a trail leading south to restrooms and a playground.

picnic pavilion 2 Riverside picnic pavilion

The loop portion of the trail begins at 0.7 miles among a stand of tall sand pines.

Make a right to start along the shadier side of the loop, where wild olives mingle amongst rusty lyonias and Carolina holly trees.

Tall skinny sand pines along sand path Swaying sand pines

Stay to the right at 0.9 miles where the campsite loop begins, designated by a sign with arrows.

Slash pines and cabbage palms dot the landscape before the trail crosses the paved campground road.

Battered looking forest habitat Open forest

The eastern side of the loop passes through a section of the forest hit hard by the hurricane, leading across open spaces with little shade.

Turn right where the loop ends at 1.5 miles, following the main trail for another half mile back to the trailhead.

Sand pines along a footpath Sand pine scrub

Trail Map

Little Manatee River State Park Trail Map
. Green: Sandpine and Oxbow Trails. Red: Little Manatee River Hiking Trail. Purple: Cross Trail. Blue: Campsite Spur

Explore More!

Learn more about Little Manatee River State Park

River bend with palm hammock in distance Little Manatee River State Park With sandy shores around every bend and a canopy of trees overhead, Little Manatee River State Park provides a beautiful destination for a family getaway.

Video

Hiking the Sandpine and Oxbow Trails

Slideshow

See our photos from the Sandpine and Oxbow Trails

Nearby Adventures

View of river below footpath Little Manatee River Trail Scenery, rugged landscape, and botanical diversity are all important for a great Florida hike. You'll find that on this 6.5 mile hike, one of our all-time favorites.
Creek flowing under a canopy of live oaks Bullfrog Creek WEA A hidden preserve in the Tampa metro offers a network of unmarked trails for a 5 mile hike traversing a shady creek and open flatwoods with patches of scrubby habitat.
Broad path in longleaf forest Little Manatee River Corridor Nature Preserve In the Little Manatee River watershed, the 579 Trailhead offers access to a pair of loop trails across palmetto prairies and shady oak hammocks.
Shaded corridor under oaks Little Manatee River Leonard Lee Trails Two connected trails along the south side of the Little Manatee River explore a variety of habitats on former ranches now protected by Hillsborough County as Little Manatee River Corridor Nature Preserve.

Park Map (PDF) Reserve a campsite Official Website

Chris Stevens
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