Hello! My name is Ben and I’m camping at Myakka River State Park for a few days. I have a travel trailer that’s literally my mobile home. This state park adventure can be summed up in three words: wildlife, windy, worn-out.
Wildlife. This park, out of all the state parks I’ve been to (which you can read about on my Camping Stories page), has the most diverse wildlife I’ve experienced. In just a couple of days I’ve seen alligators, a roseate spoonbill (pink bird pictured below), wild pigs, hawks, owls, deer, turkeys, and swallow-tailed kites (also pictured below with the big split tail feathers). I also met a photographer who’s great at capturing owls and other wildlife. Check out Dillon Ogle’s Instagram for some sweet photos – @dogleswildlifephoto
Windy. My site is near the edge of a big prairie. I was in the trees but the nice (and strong) breezes make it into the camp and provide a relief from the heat. It also gives the birds something to float in, so that’s a win!
Worn-out. I mentioned overexerting myself in the post a few days ago, writing about the alligators at the park. I hadn’t planned on becoming so exhausted but while I was biking to the alligator bridge, I specifically remember thinking, “I need water, I’m so thirsty!”
It wasn’t just a mild thirst, either. I was dehydrated. I had jogged a couple of miles, walked the dogs a few times, biked many miles back and forth to see wildlife, and didn’t pay attention to what my body was needing… water and rest. So this led to the exhaustion and feeling like I had some kind of sinus infection.
Overall, this park is great for anyone wanting to see Florida’s wildlife! Just know that the park is huge so getting to the different areas (lake, river, bridge, restaurant/cafe, boat ramp, etc), you’ll be using a bike or car a lot. Here are a few pictures of my time here.
Thanks for dropping in…
-Out of the Wilderness
Out of the Wilderness 