Florida State Parks have a reputation for providing enjoyable camping experiences, and Lake Manatee State Park is no exception. A mere 30 minutes east of the town of Bradenton, FL, this rather small park manages to capture a large portion of Florida ecosystems.
If you are considering booking a reservation, this guide is for you! Through a mix of photos and descriptions, you will get a clear picture of what it is like to camp in this park, as well as some of the activities that are available inside and outside the park.
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Camping at Lake Manatee State Park
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<p><strong>Please include attribution to https://apragmaticlens.com/ with this graphic.</strong><br /><br /><a href='https://apragmaticlens.com/lake-manatee-state-park/'><img src='https://ml0cur3zhy5j.i.optimole.com/w:auto/h:auto/q:mauto/ig:avif/f:best/https://apragmaticlens.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lake-Manatee-State-Park-SnapShot-1.jpg' alt='Lake Manatee State Park Camping SnapShot' width='800px' border='0' /></a></p>General Information
Located in Manatee County, Lake Manatee State Park gets its name due to bordering the south shore of Lake Manatee. Established in the 1970s, the park itself is roughly 550 acres, making it one of the smaller parks we have camped at.
Directions and Arrival
- Address: 20007 FL-64, Bradenton, FL 34212
- Phone: (941) 741-3028
Getting to Lake Manatee State Park is a rather simple endeavor. Coming from either the north or the south on i75, you will take exit 220 and head east for about 8 miles. The entrance to the park will be on the north end of the road.
The check-in process at the ranger’s office is quick and you can do it from the window. You do not need to get off of your vehicle to complete the process, but there is a space on the road after the ranger’s office to pull over if you need to do so.
The park map gives the false impression of the park being large, but it is actually one of the smaller parks we have visited. You will only need to drive about half a mile before you get to the campground loops. The roads are wide, paved, in good condition, and easy to navigate, even if you have a large camper.
The Campground Loops
There are two small loops that combined can host 60 sites. Loop 1, with sites 1 – 30, is closer to the swimming and playground area. Loop 2 has sites 31 – 60. None of the loops are right next to the lake, although you can see the lake from afar.
The roads are paved and in good condition. No low branches that I could see, and easy enough to maneuver even with larger rigs.
It is a bit of a far walk to the lake, especially if you are on the eastern loop. You can either drive to it or bring bikes or golf carts. Another option is to use the narrow paved path that connects both campground loops and also to the lake.
About the campsites
All sites offer water and electricity and are suited to both tents and RVs. With a maximum vehicle length ranging from 40ft to 65ft, many sites can accommodate large campers. That being said, the park only offers 30amp hookups. Sites are either packed dirt or gravel and fairly easy to level. There is a good amount of space between sites, providing enough privacy. Most sites are also spacious, although shade will vary.
We had Site 46 during our stay, which offered wonderful views of the flatwoods and the sunsets were amazing. However, we did get the afternoon sun since there were not enough trees to block it.
In my opinion, the best site in Loop 1 is 28, while the best site in Loop 2 is 41. Site 9 had the least privacy because the narrow path goes right by it. A few other sites, such as 12 and 18, have hardly any shade and face the afternoon sun. If booking those sites, make sure to do so in the colder months of the year.
Other campground considerations
- There is a single lane dump station. While it is in good condition, you may encounter a line of campers waiting their turn to empty their holding tanks. This is especially the case for holiday weekends.
- There is a single bathroom per loop for a total of two bathhouses in the campground. The bathhouses are in good condition, with hot showers and decent water pressure. It is a bit of a walk to get to the bathhouses from some of the sites.
- Something to keep in mind, especially if you are tent camping or if you plan to stay for more than a weekend is that there are no laundry facilities or sink for dishwashing.
- One disadvantage of the park is that it is near a racetrack, which makes it a bit noisy.
- Cell signal was very good with AT&T, my Verizon jetpack, and Sprint. While we did not attempt streaming, it worked well enough to do some work.
- Pets: Leashed pets are allowed in Lake Manatee State Park campground, but not in the swimming area.
What to bring
When considering what you should have handy, it depends on what your plans are. Below are some ideas to consider to make your stay adventurous and enjoyable, as well as some important items that you should not forget!
- Reef-safe sunblock
- Deet or picaridin bug spray
- Screen room
- Bikes
- Floating bed/mat
- Pocket fisherman if you don’t own fishing gear or want to keep it minimal
- Recreational or inflatable kayaks if you prefer not to rent or rentals are not available
How to Make Reservations
You can book a site up to 11 months in advance and can stay up to 14 nights by visiting the new Florida State Park reservation site.
Where to get firewood and staples
The ranger’s office has firewood for sale, but prices vary. Make sure to call ahead to get an idea of the price during your visit.
If you find yourself needing ice or other basic staples, the closest place is the fishing camp. It is less than 10 minutes from the park, and it will have basic items such as milk, cereal, and bread. Here is a direct link to the directions from Lake Manatee State Park. If you need more items, the closest grocery store is a Publix that is under 15 minutes away.
Things to do at Lake Manatee State Park
Hiking
Trail Map
Crossing a variety of ecosystems, such as sand scrub and pine flatwoods, the trails at Lake Manatee will give you a good taste of Florida. The three main trails are the Longleaf Lane Trail, the Bobcat Trail, and the Campground Alley Trail. These trails can all be accessed from the campground, they are all relatively short, and altogether the combine close 3 miles.
The trails are easy to walk, for the most part, being flat and without any roots or bumpy rocks on the ground. The sand scrub areas in the Bobcat Trail, however, have portions of soft sand that can be tiring to walk. In addition, those portions are usually exposed to the sun due to the short, scrubby nature of the vegetation in these ecosystems.
The shadiest and easier to walk is the Longleaf Lane Trail, as most of the trail goes under the pines offering more shade and firmer ground.
The narrow, paved path that connects the swimming area and the campground loops is pretty and shady, although not very long. It is still a nice walk that is also wheelchair and stroller accessible.
If you drive to the east section of the park, you can also attempt the Gopher Trail. This trail connects to other multi-use trails that total over miles, so it is an option for those interested in mountain biking and horseback riding.
See the full Lake Manatee State Park trail network on Natural Atlas.
Biking and Kayaking
There are not many areas for bike riding, other than the narrow path connecting the campgrounds to the swimming portion. This path is also for foot traffic, so you will need to be careful when riding in it. Another option for those with mountain bikes is to tackle the Gopher Trail!
It is still useful to bring bikes to use on the road. It will allow you to explore around the campground and simply as transportation to the picnic area. Bikes are also available to rent.
Paddling is also a big activity in the park, with Lake Manatee offering gorgeous scenic views of Florida’s wildlife. You can bring your own kayak and launch them from the boat ramp or from the swimming area.
Bikes and kayaks are also available for rent. Make sure to call the office ahead of time in case they are not doing it at the time of your visit. You can look at the resources at the end of the page for a link to the rental fees.
Swimming
Serving as a water source for the county, Lake Manatee is quite beautiful. The waters are deep, blue, and refreshing in the summer.
Despite the name, there are no manatees in the lake because the dam, built in the 1960s, blocks their access. However, there are alligators in this lake, as expected in the body of freshwater in Florida. The lake is quite large, however, making an encounter less likely.
Always check with the ranger’s office about the conditions on the Lake in terms of alligator activity and bacteria levels to make sure it is safe to swim.
Close to the swimming area, there is a bathhouse complete with an outdoor rinse shower!
Fishing and Boating
Lake Manatee is a prime spot for fishing and boating. The boat ramp is large and in great condition, although keep in mind that only vessels that are 20 horsepower and under are allowed. From the boat ramp, there are also small docks that you can use to fish.
Other activities in the park
Families will be happy to know that there is a nice playground that will keep their kids entertained for a bit. The picnic area is also large and shady, and the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
Nearby adventures
While there are numerous things to do in the Bradenton-Tampa area, I narrowed it down to three that are unique.
If you are new to the area, I highly recommend visiting Anna Maria Island. While it is about 45 minutes from the park, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida’s Gulf Coast.
If the weather is hot or too rainy for your liking, consider heading over to the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. It is especially great for families, as they have a great fossil exhibit, a large indoor play area, amazing shows in the planetarium, and manatees.
Not feeling sciency or you simply don’t have little kids to entertain? Then visit Loaded Cannon Distillery! It is only 15 minutes away and they have tours and a tasting room.
Final Thoughts
Thanks to its central location, Lake Manatee State Park offers a fantastic weekend escape. It offers enough activities within the park to keep you and your family busy for a few days, and the proximity to town provides other venues for food and activities. For longer stays, I would also suggest other parks such as Oscar Scherer State Park, Collier-Seminole State Park, and Anastasia State Park.
I hope this review provided a clear picture of what to expect when camping at Lake Manatee State Park!
Resources
- Lake Manatee State Park/FloridaStateParks.org
- Reservations website/FloridaStatePars.org
- Camping and Rental Fees/FloridaStateParks.org
RV and Camping Resources
RV Trip Planning
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