Emerson Point Preserve
Emerson Point Preserve
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
323 reviews
Excellent
231
Very good
82
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Annie B
Bemidji, MN48 contributions
Mar 2021 • Friends
I went during the day with a group of friends and we had a great time. Even though it was warm, we found shaded places to walk and it was cool along the beach. We parked at the point and did the beach walk trail, point replica mound and observation tower trail. All we easy walks, although the beach trail requires crawling through some trees and might be harder for some.
The view from the observation tower is great! We saw some eagles, cardinals and other birds, along with a lot of cute little lizards.
The view from the observation tower is great! We saw some eagles, cardinals and other birds, along with a lot of cute little lizards.
Written March 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BelikinBeer
Bradenton, FL400 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
A large and very well maintained park. The park is large enough it offers three different types of visits. There three sections of trails more or less all connected via main road with dedicated pedestrian path. I think the kayaking area is very popular as the parking was full with folks who wanted to do that. Tip of the day, during nice weather, get there early. Restrooms are limited so plan for that.
Written October 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irina
United States13,845 contributions
Jan 2020
Emerson Point Preserve is a moderate size (relatively speaking) park of 325 acres, located West of Palmetto, where Manatee River flows into the Gulf of Mexico. You get to the park by driving US 19 , then to Palmetto and through Snead Island, on a well-marked road to the park.
The park has a shape of about 3-mile long loop, it offers free parking, and it is particularly attractive for visitors, as it has picnic areas, restrooms, multiple trails, boardwalks, and an observation tower, from which you can enjoy the views of the Bay area.
Vegetation is highly tropical of course, and the images of the trees covered with Spanish Moss seem surreal. Also saw a couple of wading birds and some nice flowers.
The park is good for walking, hiking, cycling, wildlife watching; and fishing too - since there's also access to the sandy coast line. Hours are seasonal: from sunrise to sunset.
The park has a shape of about 3-mile long loop, it offers free parking, and it is particularly attractive for visitors, as it has picnic areas, restrooms, multiple trails, boardwalks, and an observation tower, from which you can enjoy the views of the Bay area.
Vegetation is highly tropical of course, and the images of the trees covered with Spanish Moss seem surreal. Also saw a couple of wading birds and some nice flowers.
The park is good for walking, hiking, cycling, wildlife watching; and fishing too - since there's also access to the sandy coast line. Hours are seasonal: from sunrise to sunset.
Written March 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tonya M
3 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Beautiful white sand, clear water. Well maintained walking trails, bike trails. Easy canoe and kayak access. It is free, plenty of parking and wasn't crowded. Beautiful views of the Manatee River.
Written June 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane K
Venice, FL4,572 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
We drove to the end of the Point and walked around there for about 15 minutes. There were nice views of the water and the bridge to St. Pete. There weren’t as many trails by the point except by the edge of the road. So we drove back to towards the entrance and walked on the trails in that area which were nice. Bathrooms were available. We spent a little over an hour in the park.
Written November 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoveSunBeachMountain
Chicago97 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
Such a unique park that is undergoing continuous upgrading. It is a very important historical site. Artifacts and man made structures in the park offer the few links to "old" tribes that inhabited coastal Florida before being displaced by tribes from as far north as Georgia and Alabama in the mid 1700s.
The park has is long and skinny with decent parking and great bathroom facilities. You can follow trails along either side of the points, on the south side is the Manatee River on the north side is Terra Ceia Bay. Several boardwalks lead into the water on the north side with ladders for swimming access to the bay. There is also a kayak launch on the Mantaee River side and a boat launch at the westernmost point.
We love running the park because it affords shaded trails on sunny days.
But the reason you don't want to go there is because it is so quaint and quiet. So, instead of enjoying this beautiful, serene park on this monumental site, go to Disney.
The park has is long and skinny with decent parking and great bathroom facilities. You can follow trails along either side of the points, on the south side is the Manatee River on the north side is Terra Ceia Bay. Several boardwalks lead into the water on the north side with ladders for swimming access to the bay. There is also a kayak launch on the Mantaee River side and a boat launch at the westernmost point.
We love running the park because it affords shaded trails on sunny days.
But the reason you don't want to go there is because it is so quaint and quiet. So, instead of enjoying this beautiful, serene park on this monumental site, go to Disney.
Written December 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MiamiNativeTours
Miami Beach, FL48 contributions
May 2014 • Family
We went by accident, as we were looking for Madira Bickell State Park. The local lady said Indian Mounds? You gotta go to this place. I did not believe her but now wish i could thank her. 3 story mound still well preserved. Museum was closed. Bummer! but the views to the bay were spectacular, and the history incredible. I believe its the farthest north tropical forest in the US. Lots of Gumbo Limbos and Royal Palms. A must visit for the forest and mounds.
Written May 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jrleonardfl
Palmetto, FL223 contributions
Nov 2013 • Family
I am a longtime resident of Palmetto FL. I consider myself most fortunate to be able to walk to Emerson Point from my residence at least twice a week. Whether you walk your dog, kayak, bird watch or enjoy hiking along both a river and pristine mangrove lined bay, this might be the place for you. While early morning or just prior to dusk is probably best, you can really spot ospreys, hawks, and a wide array of herons and egrets almost any time.
Check it out!
Check it out!
Written November 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhilS_42
Bradenton, FL90 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
Emerson Point Park is jewel of the Manatee County Park system. It has wonderful indian mounds (some historical, some reconstructed) covered in native trees and other vegetation. Its trails are great for a nature hike. The views from the observation tower, several docks, and western tip of the island are beautiful. May species of water birds visit the park’s ponds during the winter? It is a great place to launch a kayak, canoe, or paddle board. It is also a great place to walk a dog. It has a deepwater dock on the manatee river which is way underutilized by boaters. The park doesn’t really have a true beach, but kids play on the sandy shoreline on the park’s west end. I love this place.
Written January 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TonyFloridaUSA
Bradenton, FL1 contribution
I went to Emerson Point for the first time on 5/11/10 and was very disappointed. I could not wade and fish, because almost the entire shorleine of the Point was being used by a very large group of foreign language speakers, with about 10 children, who had launched 2 noisy jet skis from the shore, and were riding them up and down along shoreline. They also had fixed their jet skis in the water they while still on their trailers, revving and revving the engines quite noisily for about 20 minutes, which casued a large oil and gas slick on the surface of the water along the shoreline. There were so many of them, that nobody else could sit on the shore of the Point and enjoy the view. The jet skis also probably tore up the fragile grass beds in the shallow water. They had also parked their trailers in spots not designated for parking, and blocked half of the entrance exit road of the Point. Many pieces of litter were also left on the shore by this loud and inconsiderate group of foreign language speakers. I called one of the numbers listed on a sign there, and was told that jet skis were permitted, but the sign does not say that they are. I do not think that these kinds of uses are in line with the definition of the word "Preserve", and somebody should put a stop to this kind of behavior, before it gets even worse.
Written May 13, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I are interested in riding our bicycles in the preserve. Are all of the trails open to biking? If so, what are the surfaces? Thanks for your help.
Written December 19, 2021
The trails along the side of the road are paved and open to bikes. I am not sure if the unpaved trails that are within the wooded area are open to bikes or not - we walked them...
Written December 21, 2021
Best place in the park to photograph birds?
Written March 26, 2021
Very interested in your preserve. Do you rent out your pavilion for large groups? Are you open on Thanksgiving? How far from the pavilion for picnics to restrooms and are they rated for handicapped use? How many does your pavilion hold for a picnic and is there any electric hook up in the pavillion?
Written August 2, 2018
Hi, Most of your questions can be answered at the website. Trip Adviser won't let me post that for you. So you will need to search Emerson Point Preserve in Manatee County. It isn't to far from the pavilion to the bathrooms at the first place. The Pavilion at the end though has only porta potties. We have never had to use the pavilion so I am not sure of how one would reserve that.
Written August 3, 2018
What footwear would be suitable?
Written January 20, 2018
Best is sneakers or something like work boots, lot of tree roots along some paths
Written January 21, 2018
Hi, I have a small aluminum boat with oars. (((Am I allowed))) to launch it and paddle out to Terre Cia Bay?
Written October 25, 2016
Hi,
I didn't see any signs that expressly prohibit it - neither are there really any rangers around, and there are plenty of beaches from where you can set off. However, there are no actual boat launches - so you would have to be able to carry your boat to the water's edge.
But it sounds lovely.
Enjoy!
Written October 25, 2016
Can you grill hot dogs at Emerson Preserve?
Written May 9, 2016
I believe I have seen grills at the picnic area at the end of the road, almost all the way out to the point, but in the parking lot just before the beach. I think that you could there and maybe at one other area, but maybe not over an open fire on the beach. You would have to bring your own charcoal, lighter fluid and matches.
Written May 10, 2016
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