History

Lake Manatee State Park is located 15 miles east of Bradenton on State Road 64. It extends 3 miles along its namesake, beautiful Lake Manatee.

The lake was created when a dam was built across the Manatee River in the mid-1960s. Despite the park’s name, visitors cannot actually see manatees at this park because the dam blocks access to the lake.

The lake offers excellent freshwater fishing, and anglers can fish from their boats or from the park's fishing docks. A boat ramp provides easy access to the lake for boating, canoeing and kayaking; boat motors must be less than 20 horsepower.

Campers can enjoy full-facility camping just a short walk from the lake. The park’s natural habitats consists primarily of pine flatwoods and sand pine scrub with some depression marshes and hardwood forest. A hike down one of our trails is like taking a step back in time, providing a glimpse of the real Florida.