Named for the river that runs through it, the first parcel of land that makes up Little Manatee River State Park was purchased on August 2, 1974. The park was then opened to the public in 1987, and since the river has been designated as an Outstanding Florida Waterway and is included in the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve. Since the first purchase of land in 1974, the park has acquired several additional parcels and added these plots to the park since its' establishment. As a result, the park presently comprises over 2,400 acres.