Join us to see the magic of the springs at night during this month's Full Cold Moon. It truly is a thing of beauty!
On December 15th, plan to arrive at the park around 5:00 PM.
At 5:30 we'll gather in front of the Manatee Outpost located in the Lower Parking Lot next to the restrooms.
The park closes at 5:45 PM; you will receive an after-hours pass for your dashboard upon entry to the park.
What to bring:
Flashlights
Bug spray
Closed-toe shoes
Water
Important Notes:
No flashing or light-up sneakers
Please don't bring pets on the hike
The hike will cover 1-1.5 miles, depending on trail access, and last until around 7:00 PM
The terrain includes sidewalks and sandy soils with some roots and trip hazards.
Tickets are $3 per person and are now available at the link below:
https://www.zeffy.com/.../b561a3cc-03ed-405e-93db...
*Park entry fees are not included with event admission*
The hike will be canceled in case of inclement weather.
At the conclusion, all visitors will be asked to promptly exit the park.
We hope to see you there!
Come enjoy a first day hike and scavenger hunt on a nature trail. The park will hold a scavenger hunt on our nature trail. Participants will track down and record a series of hidden letters throughout the trail and decipher the hidden message these letters present. Nature trail is open for recreational wandering.
Every 2nd Saturday of 2025 we will be hosting a marine debris cleanup. The first cleanup will be on Indian Fills with more to follow.
Participants will meet on the south side of Deaton's bridge in the parking area. Hike will be 1.2 miles along the Chain of Lakes Trail where hikers will see old growth Atlantic White Cedars, the white sandy bars of the Blackwater River, old oxbow lakes, and end the trek through endless pines to enjoy the view of a sandhill pine community.
N/A
This event will include a guided walk in the Butterfly Garden, led by one our extremely knowledgable native plant nursery volunteers.
Florida Boards is a local Heartland band founded by lead singer and guitarist Kendal Sheen who is accompanied by other musicians on keyboard, bass guitar, drums and vocalists. Musical influences are many and include the following: Jimmy Buffet, Zac Brown and his country music band, Stick Figure, an American Reggae band from Southern California, blues, rock-in-roll, and Southern and classic rock. In the words of Kendal Sheen, Florida Boards is "a good time sing along band." Fans and friends of the band are welcome to join in for singing and dancing. The band promises a relaxing, laid back evening that will connect the audience to Florida and sweep concertgoers away to its sandy beaches as well as Central Florida's cattle ranches and citrus farms. Florida Boards promises to deliver one of the most interesting blends of music from "happy beach" music to Southern rock.
Fort Cooper State Park and The Friends of Fort Cooper Present Nights of Lights! This year's theme is "Christmas Around the World" featuring holiday trees decorated by local businesses, organizations, and clubs. Enjoy the Park with music, decorations, and thousands of lights as you stroll along the walkways and through the Rec Hall. Enjoy free refreshments and a visit with Santa.
Join us for a few hours of sun and surf and help keep MacArthur Beach State Park clean. Beach cleanups help remove trash which might otherwise end up endangering sea turtles or shorebirds. Participants will receive gloves and buckets. Please bring a reusable water bottle, hat and sunscreen. Community service hours will be given upon request.
Enjoy a "First Day Hike" through a coastal beach hammock and see what South Florida looked like before Europeans arrived.