Combined, South Fork State Park and the Southfork Tract protect over 2,000 acres of land in the Little Manatee River watershed.
Both properties host large areas of Florida scrub, a xeric ecosystem that is home to many rare and endemic species of plants and animals.
While South Fork State Park is accessible to the public, getting there isn’t easy. Visitors must hike roughly three miles through adjacent Southwest Florida Water Management District land to reach the property.
A system of two marked loop trails spans the Southfork Tract, originating from a trailhead on State Road 62.
At the north end of these loops, a connector trail leads to the State Park which has access roads to hike but no official trail.
Scrubby landscapeResources
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Overview
Location: Duette
Length: 9.2 miles
Trailhead: 27.588722, -82.239361
Address: 29400 SR 62, Duette
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land managers: Southwest Florida Water Management District, Florida State Parks
Phone: 352-796-7211 (SWFWMD), 941-741-3028 (FSP)
Open sunrise to sunset. Trails are hiking only. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From Interstate 75 northeast of Bradenton, exit onto US 301 at Ellenton and head north 6.1 miles before turning right at Rutland Rd. In a mile, turn left onto Spencer Parrish Rd, continuing for 0.8 mile before turning right onto SR 62 E. Stay on SR 62 E for 10.7 miles, then look for the parking area on the left side of the road.
Hike
Starting at the Southfork trailhead kiosk, head northward on an access road bordered by a barbed wire fence.
Beyond the fence, an array of panels from a large solar farm creak loudly as they mechanically tilt to follow the sun across the sky.
Stay to the left at the first trail junction, following a raised pathway over seasonally wet mesic hammocks that drain towards the South Fork of the Manatee River.
Southfork trailheadReaching the second loop at 1.3 miles, make a left onto a wide grassy road leading westward.
As the path climbs imperceptibly in elevation, soils become drier, and the landscape changes dramatically.
Scattered slash and sand pines dot an open savanna of saw palmettos extending to the horizon.
Scrubby flatwoodsFollowing a corridor of bright white sugar sand flanked by golden grasses, hog plums and tiny yellow asters, the loop curves through a scrub community.
Reach a connector trail at 2.7 miles. Turning to the left, this trail drops quickly towards a flowing creek with half submerged limestone rocks to hop across if the water level is up.
Creek crossingAt the three-mile mark, a fence and signs mark the boundary between the two properties.
The wide access gate should be unlocked, allowing hikers to pass through to South Fork State Park.
Although trails are unmarked in the park, a sandy road forms a loop that returns to the gate in 1.7 miles.
State Park boundaryHead northwest along the access road. Florida rosemary, sand pines, and shrubby oaks dot a sandy landscape carpeted with lichens and wiregrass.
On the north side of the loop, the road traces along the perimeter of scrub habitat, passing through patches of mesic flatwoods along the route.
Rosemary scrubPassing though the gate to the Southfork Tract, retrace your steps southward over the creek to the second loop and turn left to explore the other half.
Traversing a mix of sparsely vegetated desert scenery and scrubby flatwoods, the middle loop concludes at 6.7 miles at the connector trail leading to the first loop.
Gravel topped path through the scrubTurn left to wind across the northern section of the south loop. Elements of previous agricultural use are noticeable as the land slowly returns to a more natural state.
Fuzzy sage-colored lupines sit among open fields of pasture grass and rare endemic Florida goldenasters proliferate in sandy mounds across from shaggy cabbage palms.
Following a straight grassy road for the final stretch, the loop returns to the trailhead at 9.2 miles.
Lupine in previous pasturelandTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
A walk through Little Manatee River Southfork Tract and South Fork State Park
Nearby Adventures
Lake Manatee State Park With a natural lakefront stretching three miles along the edge of Lake Manatee, this state park outside Bradenton is a quiet place to camp, fish, and hike
Wingate Creek State Park Named after a blackwater stream at the headwaters of the Myakka River, Wingate Creek State Park showcases natural scrub communities home to the rare and endangered Florida scrub-jay.
Camp Bayou Nature Preserve Located on the banks of the Little Manatee River, Camp Bayou Nature Preserve provides an easygoing set of trails through a variety of natural Florida habitats. 
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.
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