Myakka River State Park

This huge nature preserve east of Sarasota draws both locals and tourists from around the world. The many things to do there include cycling, renting a cabin or pitching tent, the canopy walk offering one of the best views in Sarasota, riding an airboat, bird watching and dgator watching. For many paddlers, gator-watching is the whole idea. Strong paddlers follow the Myakka River south of State Route 72 to the sinkhole that is home for dozens of huge gators. Our favorite attraction? The canopy walk. It's unlike anything in the area and not nearly as scary as the Gator Hole.