Pinelands Reserve is one of several large properties protecting the vast Myakka River floodplain alongside Carlton Reserve, Deer Prairie Creek Preserve, and Myakka River State Park.
Although the reserve consists of over 6,000 acres, much of the land is reserved for government use, including a county landfill.
A small corner off Knights Trail in Nokomis is open to the public, offering a short loop hike through surprisingly wild pine flatwoods environments.
Mesic flatwoodsResources
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Overview
Location: Nokomis
Length: 0.9 miles
Trailhead: 27.171750, -82.406639
Address: 4000 Knights Trail Rd, Nokomis
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Sarasota County
Phone: 941-861-5000
Open 6:00 AM – Sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From Interstate 75 northeast of Venice, head east on Laurel Rd for 0.3 miles before turning left onto Knights Trail Rd. In 2.5 miles, the parking area will be on the right side of the road.
Hike
Starting at the picnic area, follow a gravel path through the fence stile to a sign for the Slash Pine Loop Trail.
The trail leads northward, cutting through a shrubby landscape of saw palmettos and fetterbush lyonia for 200 feet before reaching the loop portion of the hike.
Trailhead picnic areaTurn right to begin the loop in a counterclockwise direction, entering a forest of pines interspersed with gnarled oaks and young cabbage palms.
Although trail markers are few and far between, the grassy pathway is clear and well-maintained.
Trail signageFerns and hatpins line the edges of the corridor as it weaves through thick brush covered in grapevines.
In a quarter mile, pass a shaded bench shortly before the path opens to a wide access road.
Trailside benchThe trail follows the road along a straight route for a quarter mile, then delves back into the pine forest where a sign with arrows indicates a turn.
At the north end of the loop, another bench invites visitors to rest in this wooded setting.
Access roadPosts topped with blue paint lead the way through stands of cabbage palms, passing an interpretive display about bald eagles along the way.
Various wildflowers emerge along the densely vegetated understory, including vibrant yellow goldenrod and native milkweeds.
Finishing the loop at 0.9 mile, turn right to follow the short path back to the trailhead.
Milkweed in bloomTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Pinelands Reserve
Nearby Adventures
Sleeping Turtles Preserve North Named for a feature on old navigational maps, Sleeping Turtles Preserve North provides great views of the Myakka River from its bluffs. 
Carlton Reserve Hiking Trails Explore open prairies, wetlands, and pine flatwoods on a series of nested loop trails within the vast expanse of Carlton Reserve north of Venice.
Scherer Thaxton Preserve A system of multiuse trails traverses increasingly wild environments, circling an artificial lake to enter pine flatwoods habitat extending into adjacent Oscar Scherer State Park.
Curry Creek Preserve East Amid expanding suburbia in Venice, this 71-acre island of botanical delights circled by a 1.6 mile loop buffers wildflower-rich longleaf pine flatwoods along a mangrove-lined stream.
- Oscar Scherer Green Trail - November 11, 2026
- Sandhill Preserve - November 9, 2026
- Calusa Heritage Trail - November 5, 2026