NEST Trail, Robinson Preserve

Mar 2025 update. Due to major damage to the banyan tree and surrounding trees by hurricane winds in October 2024, the NEST Trail has lost most of its canopy.

In a corner of the southern expansion of Robinson Preserve, the NEST is a nature, science, environmental, and technology center anchoring an outdoor activity corner.

While it appears to have been built as a nature center, the architecturally interesting building is empty and available for rentals.

Unusual multi-story building on a boardwalk

The Nest

Beyond it is an elevated multi-level play area for families called the Canopy Zone, with suspended rope tunnels and climbing platforms.

To reach both of these destinations, the NEST Trail begins at ground level and slowly rises to become an elevated canopy boardwalk.

Start of the NEST Trail

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

South Florida Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

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Overview

Location: Palma Sola
Length: 0.3 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.506671, -82.663898
Address: 840 99th St NW, Bradenton
Fees: Free
Restroom: Along the boardwalk
Land Manager: Manatee County
Phone: 941-742-5923

Open sunrise to sunset. No pets, please. The boardwalk and ground-level trail are accessible surfaces. Check the preserve website for when the NEST may be open to the public.

Directions

From US 41 in downtown Bradenton, follow Manatee Ave (SR 64) west 4 miles to 75th St W. Turn right and continue north 1.3 miles to 17th Ave NW. Drive west 1.5 miles. Rounding the corner past Palma Sola Botanical Park, turn left onto 99th Ave. Continue south of the North Entrance a half mile to the South Entrance. Turn right and bear left where the road splits. Park within sight of the boardwalk.

Hike

Walking between the yellow posts, face the enormous tree with the boardwalk behind it and and start your walk to the left, following sidewalk to boardwalk.

A moderately angled ramp with inner railings, the boardwalk gently rises past royal palms to circle a banyan tree.

Slow ascent around the banyan

It’s a world onto itself, dangling roots becoming living trunks holding up the tree’s mighty spread. A member of the ficus family, it has glossy leaves.

Peering into the banyan from above

Pass traveler’s palms as the boardwalk continues to gain elevation and levels out, reaching a junction at a building containing the restrooms.

A boardwalk arcs out to the left, while steps lead to ground level at the base of the tree. Stay on the main boardwalk.

Curving around the banyan

It continues to ascend slightly as it approaches the NEST, a multi-story wooden structure with a windowed top observation room and an open lower level for classes and activities.

Dedicated 2018, funded by the Mosaic Company Foundation (tied to the massive phosphate mines of the Peace River basin) it was closed and entirely empty on our visit in 2024.

The NEST

It is not the permanent nature center we expected from its name. It appears to be used for private rentals and limited public events posted on the preserve website.

Staircases lead to ground level from the deck that circles it. Beyond the NEST is the Canopy Zone, which was open and busy.

Boardwalk along a wooden building with architectural elements

A walk around the NEST

Made up of swinging cargo net tunnels and towers, rope bridges and slides, this adventure park is perfect for kids ages five and up.

Adults can continue along the canopy walk boardwalk through the outdoor play area and enjoy views across the wetlands in the Robinson Preserve expansion.

Boardwalk circling climbing rope suspended playground

Inside the Canopy Zone

Two pairs of mounted binoculars let you spy on birds on the far shorelines, or watch passing recreationalists.

The Eagle Loop crosses on a bridge to the right, and paddlers ply the open water ponds.

Southern Expansion panorama

Return to the parking area by descending the staircase by the overlook to walk along a ground-level path past the NEST to the parking lot.

Or follow the boardwalk loop through the Canopy Zone back the way you came. Either way, it’s an easy 0.3 mile.

Returning along the walkway to the banyan tree

Trail Map

Explore More!

Learn more about Robinson Preserve

Robinson Preserve Edging Tampa Bay, the vast sweep of Robinson Preserve is a puzzle of natural and restored habitats circled by more than ten miles of mixed-use trails.

Video

A walk through the NEST Trail

Slideshow

See our photos from the NEST Trail

Nearby Adventures

Red flowers blooming under large tree on pond's edge

Palma Sola Botanical Park Now a showcase for temperate and tropical species, this former ten acre nursery encompasses collections of palms, fruit trees, and flowering tropical trees.

A memorial to Spanish missionaries on a white sand river beach

Riverview Pointe Preserve Protecting eleven acres of waterfront adjacent to De Soto National Memorial, this dog-friendly coastal park features a beach on the Manatee River.

Neal Preserve Discover the botany and prehistory of Perico Island through excellent interpretation and observation points with outstanding views at Neal Preserve.

Waterfront trail amid sea grapes and mangroves

De Soto National Memorial Interpreting the landing of Spanish conquistador Hernando De Soto, De Soto National Memorial occupies a peninsula where the Manatee River flows into Tampa Bay.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website