Sometimes you need fresh air. From parks with playgrounds to nature trails with historical significance, there is an abundance of Bradenton parks & walking trails that will be just what you need to have a great time outdoors.
Neal Preserve
Where: 12301 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34209
Neal Preserve is 120 acres of native coastal habitats, such as mangrove forests and salt terns, as well as pockets of oak hammock uplands. The site features outdoor recreation opportunities including a 20-foot tall observation tower, shell trails, and boardwalks that wind through the coastal environment. Neal Preserve is a historically significant site. As you walk, imagine the active Native American culture that once existed from 3000 BC to 1400 AD. Your route will move past reconstructed burial mounds (the originals were excavated in the 1930s by the Smithsonian).
Collecting is not allowed in this “open-air museum.” Due to the sensitive nature of the habitat and nesting bird sites, pets are not allowed at Neal Preserve, and bicycles are not allowed on trails and should be parked at racks provided. We encourage visitors to explore the half-mile of shell and boardwalk trail on foot and enjoy a peaceful recreation experience.
Located on the south side of Manatee Avenue, overflow parking is available on the north side of the Anna Maria Island Bridge. For rules and more information please check out the website.
G.T. Bray Park
Where: 5502 33rd Ave Dr. W, Bradenton, FL 34209
G.T. Bray Park is Manatee County’s recreational hub and the centerpiece of an impressive Parks and Natural Resources Department. The opportunities are endless for a full day of exercise and recreational play. Below, we have listed the amenities you and the family (even your four-legged friends) might enjoy:
Amenities:
- Football Field (lighted)
- Baseball fields (lighted), Softball Fields, Tee Ball Fields, Little League Fields (lighted)
- Soccer Fields (lighted and unlighted)
- Basketball Courts (lighted)
- Tennis Courts (Hard Courts & Clay), Racquetball Courts, and Pickleball Courts
- Disc Golf
- Skate Park
- Dog Park
- Horseshoe Courts
- Multi-Purpose Field
- Multi-Purpose Trail – 1.25 miles
- Picnic Tables, Playgrounds, and Amphitheater
- Pool (Olympic Size), Dive-well, Kiddie Pool and Splash Pad
- Recreation Center and Fitness Center with Restrooms
For rules and more information please check out the website.
Robinson Preserve & Expansion
Where: 17th Ave NW North Entrance (w/Valentine House), 1704 99th Street Northwest, Bradenton, FL 34209
9th Ave NW South Entrance (“The Expansion” w/NEST and Canopy Zone), 10299 9th Ave NW, Bradenton, FL 34209
Robinson Preserve is located in northwest Bradenton, consisting of 682 acres that are a mix of preserved mangrove, tidal marsh, and former agricultural lands which have undergone an incredible transformation into a coastal wetland habitat. The “Expansion” brings more coastal wetlands and other habitats, including a 2.5k rubberized pedestrian-only trail, additional kayak launches, and trails, restrooms, picnic areas, and the NEST and Canopy Zone (the brand-new and already iconic educational/event space). For rules and more information please check out the website.
Amenities:
- Hiking and nature trails,
- Kayak/canoeing trails and launch,
- Outdoor education,
- Non-motorized bicycle trails,
- Rollerblading,
- Managed fishing,
- Picnic areas and pavilions with grills,
- Wildlife viewing areas,
- Group camping,
- Observation tower,
- Dog walking
Tom Bennett Park
Where: 280 Kay Rd, Bradenton, FL 34208
Bennett Park, located near I-75, combines classic park recreational opportunities with conservation areas. Perfect for nature walks and wildlife viewing, the park offers an abundance of activities such as a playground with a Rope Challenge Course. For rules and more information please check out the website.
Amenities:
- Canoe/Kayak Launch,
- Fishing Pier,
- Nature Trail,
- Open Play Field,
- Picnic Tables,
- Playground with Rope Challenge Course,
- Sand Volleyball Courts,
- Soccer Field,
- Trails (1.2 Miles)
Emerson Point Preserve
Where: 5801 17th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221
Emerson Point Preserve is situated on the West end of Snead island on the North shore of the Manatee River with Terra Ceia Bay to the north. It offers a network of hiking and kayak trails to experience a wide variety of coastal Florida wildlife and habitats. Ancient and historic remains of its inhabitants are accessible and well interpreted to give a sense of what life in Manatee County was like prior to and during its settlement. For rules and more information please check out the website.
Amenities:
- Beach,
- Fishing,
- 3-Pavilions and Grills,
- Restrooms,
- Trails,
- Dog Walking,
- Kayaking/Canoeing
- Outdoor Education Observation Tower
Where: 8300 Desoto Memorial Hwy, Bradenton, FL 34209
DeSoto National Memorial, in Manatee County 5 miles west of Bradenton, Florida, commemorates the 1539 landing of Hernando de Soto and the first extensive organized exploration by Europeans of what is now the southern United States. The memorial includes 26 acres, where the Manatee River joins Tampa Bay for beautiful all-around views. The Nature Trail winds along the shoreline and through several Florida ecosystems, including a mangrove forest. Trails include interpretive signage and waysides that tell the story of the De Soto Expedition and the natural history of the area. The highlight of the park’s activities includes living history programs and demonstrations at Camp Uzita, a recreation of a 16th Century native village. During the summer the park operates guided kayak tours in the surrounding water and bays. For rules and more information please check out the website.
Amenities:
- Pet-Friendly Trails,
- Beaches,
- Fishing,
- Bird watching,
- Educational Signage
Riverview Pointe Preserve
Where: 8250 Desoto Memorial Hwy, Bradenton, FL 34209
Riverview Pointe Preserve is an 11-acre site located in northwest Bradenton, Florida. The site is adjacent to the DeSoto National Memorial but is managed by Manatee County’s Natural Resources Department. Although small in acreage, the preserve is home to a variety of wildlife and uplands, and coastal habitats including the rare scrub habitat, oak hammock, and mangrove forest. For rules and more information please check out the website.
Amenities:
- Hiking and Nature Trails,
- Dog Walking,
- Wildlife Viewing,
- Fishing
Perico Preserve
Where: 11700 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34209
This beautiful and serene nature preserve with marshlands, a bird sanctuary with overwater walkways and trails is a popular trail for hiking, trail running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of the day. Leave your furry friends, with the exception of service dogs, at home when visiting Perico to protect the wildlife. Bikes are only allowed on designated trails within the preserve. For rules and more information please check out the website.
Things To Do:
- Hiking
- Biking (on some designated trails)
- Bird Watching
- Outdoor Education
Enjoy the Peaceful Walking Trails of Bradenton
This is just scratching the surface of all there is to do on and off the island. This is why we personally guarantee that each time you visit, there will be something new for you to do and discover. Click here to plan your vacation today! We are here to help you have the perfect vacation getaway, by offering a wide selection of accommodations close to the beach and amenities that perfectly match your needs.
