As winter descends and visitors flock to Florida, finding tranquility in nature can become a challenging endeavor. Our most popular parks and beaches are brimming with people seeking to relax in the sunshine and enjoy our perfect weather, but all human activity can detract from nature’s serenity. In this post, I’ll take you off the beaten path to explore some of the lesser-known and less-visited nature preserves in Southwest Florida so you can escape the crowds and discover the unspoiled beauty of these hidden gems.
Duette Preserve: Tucked away in northeastern Manatee County, Duette Preserve is a sprawling wilderness that offers a glimpse of what Florida may have looked like hundreds of years ago. At over 21,000 acres, Duette is the largest preserve in Manatee County, and was acquired to protect the headwaters of the Manatee River. With its pine flatwoods, sandy scrub, oak hammocks, and numerous wetlands, Duette provides a serene backdrop for hiking and birdwatching. If you’re lucky, you may even spot an endangered and endemic species, the Florida Scrub Jay. With miles of packed shell roads, Duette is an excellent venue for gravel biking enthusiasts. Outside of hunt weekends, Duette Preserve’s walk-through gates are open daily from sunrise to sunset. However, I would recommend visiting on a Saturday between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm, when you can pay a small fee for vehicle access to the preserve. Be sure to ask the rangers for a copy of the “Discover Duette” guide, which will provide you with information for a self-guided driving tour. Or better yet, book a night at the primitive campsite for outstanding stargazing. The absence of crowds, and exceptional land management at this preserve provide intimate wildlife viewing opportunities and an ideal destination for those seeking solitude.
Johnson Preserve at Braden River: A local secret in the heart of Lakewood Ranch, Johnson Preserve protects one of the last remaining tracts of longleaf pine woods and oak hammocks in a highly suburban area. This slice of “Old Florida” is an oasis for diverse plants and animals, including imperiled swallowtail kites and gopher tortoises. Johnson Preserve’s floodplain forests are part of a natural corridor along the Braden River, which supplies the City of Bradenton’s drinking water reservoir. Conservation Foundation and Manatee County protected these 44 acres in 2018 and the County recently improved the trail system and parking area. You can access Johnson Preserve from sunrise to sunset at 9906 Clubhouse Dr, Bradenton, FL 34202. I recommend visiting early in the morning to hear songbirds singing in the trees and observe white-tailed deer foraging in the pine woods.
Old Miakka Preserve: Venture into Sarasota County’s Old Miakka Preserve for a journey through scrub, pine flatwoods, and seasonal wetlands. With more than 4 miles of trails, visitors can observe gopher tortoises, butterflies, songbirds, and wildflowers. Named for the historic rural community where the preserve is located, Old Miakka Preserve has the highest natural elevation of any Sarasota County Park at 54 feet above sea level. The high elevation and sandy soils of this preserve support rare plant species. In fact, the plant diversity here once inspired Tim Cash (1954-1993), local plant nursery owner and founding member of the Sarasota Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, to introduce new native plant species to his commercial nursery. A scenic trail named in his honor passes through changing habitats, allowing visitors to experience the diversity that Tim once admired. This now 465-acre preserve was expanded with the help of Conservation Foundation in 2020 (+40 acres) and 2021 (+228 acres). With its off-the-beaten-path location, Old Miakka Preserve allows visitors to reconnect with nature without the distractions of large crowds. Water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes are recommended as many of the trails are sunny and exposed with loose sugar sand.
Bay Preserve at Osprey: Nestled in a quiet Osprey neighborhood, Bay Preserve provides public access to Little Sarasota Bay and is the headquarters of Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. This 4.2-acre hidden gem was once owned by the Matson Family, who worked with Conservation Foundation in 2006 to preserve their beloved home forever utilizing a Florida Communities Trust Grant, part of Florida Forever funding. The historic Colonial Revival style house on the property is known as the Burrows-Matson House for its prior owners, both of whom conserved their land for future generations: Elsa Scherer Burrows donated her family’s land to create Oscar Scherer State Park in honor of her father, and the Matsons helped create Bay Preserve at Osprey. Located just south of Historic Spanish Point, Bay Preserve features a beautiful bayfront with a fishing dock and wildlife observation platform, kayak launch access, a bocce ball court, a children’s Discovery Zone nature-playground, a great lawn for picnicking and play, and an environmental classroom for community education programs and summer camps. Bay Preserve is host to numerous public and private events throughout the year and can be reserved for weddings, parties, and corporate events. Open from sunrise to sunset, this secret oasis on the bay is a great place to take in the waterfront views or watch the sunset away from the crowds.
Orange Hammock Wildlife Management Area: A relative newcomer on the scene, Orange Hammock Ranch at the border of Sarasota and Charlotte Counties was acquired by the Florida Department of Environmental protection in 2020 with Florida Forever funds and a community contribution of $1.5 million raised by Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. This 5,777-acre wilderness is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as a Wildlife Management area. Over 200 wetlands are intermixed with pine flatwood, globally imperiled dry prairie, and other native habitats on the property. This vast land is home to bobwhite quail, indigo snakes, and Florida black bears. Importantly, the property is connected with over 120,000 acres of protected land, making it a viable habitat for Florida panthers, now breeding in the nearby Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area. Orange Hammock is a haven for bird watchers and photographers, offering a chance to witness Florida’s wildlife in its undisturbed state. With more than 7 miles of packed shell road leading up to and traversing the preserve, Orange Hammock also provides an excellent opportunity for gravel biking. Primitive hiking trails and fire breaks wind throughout the preserve, allowing visitors to explore Orange Hammock’s untouched natural beauty at their own pace. This new natural area is still off the radar for most people and has low visitation outside of hunting seasons. You can access Orange Hammock Ranch from McCall Ranch Road in North Port. From I-75, take Exit 179 for Toledo Blade Blvd. To open the gate on the Easement Road, press the green button on the access panel. The button will only function during open hours, 1½ hours before sunrise to 1½ hours after sunset.
Deer Prairie Creek Preserve: At 6,439 acres, Deer Prairie Creek Preserve in Sarasota County provides plenty of space to escape the crowds! This expansive natural area connects numerous conserved lands in the region and protects nearly 6 miles of the Myakka River’s east bank and the entirety of the Deer Prairie Creek tributary. This preserve boasts more the 70 miles of hiking trails through vast expanses of pine flatwoods and wetlands. Several scenic overlooks provide views of the river and creek, while the southern entrance off US41 in North Port provides two kayak launches, a fishing dock, and a picnic area. This lesser-known destination provides ample opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. For a gorgeous paddle that feels remote and untamed, paddle upstream from the kayak launch and witness alligators, turtles, fish, birds, air plants, and orchids hanging from the trees on a truly wild and scenic stretch of Deer Prairie Creek.
Pepper Ranch Preserve: For a taste of Florida’s ranching history, head to Pepper Ranch in Collier County. This 2,512 acre preserve combines conservation lands with ranching and managed hunting, showcasing how humans and nature can thrive in harmony. Acquired by Collier County in 2009 and protected forever in 2018 with a conservation easement held by Conservation Foundation, Pepper Ranch is home to diverse wildlife including Florida panthers, black bears, bobcats, alligators, sandhill cranes and numerous species of wading birds in addition to being a working cattle ranch. With more than 15 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, there are plenty of ways to explore the expansive landscapes and rich biodiversity that thrives here. Located on the north shore of Lake Trafford, the largest natural lake in Collier County, large alligators can be observed from a boardwalk overlook near the visitor’s center – a historic cabin and fish camp built by the Pepper Family in 1926. Tent camping is available on Friday and Saturday nights at two campsites, and the preserve is open to the public on all Fridays and on non-hunt Saturdays and Sundays from November- June from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. I recommend taking a scenic drive through the preserve after obtaining a free daily use permit from the visitor’s center!
As you plan your winter adventures in Southwest Florida, consider venturing off the beaten path to these hidden gems for a serene alternative to more popular and crowded destinations. If you know of other natural areas that should be on this list, I would love to hear about them! You can reach me at sarah@conservationfoundation.com
