State Parks Near Bradenton, Florida
21 state park units lie within 50 miles of Bradenton. The closest is Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park, about 4 mi northeast of town. 11 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park4 mi northeast
- Within 25 miles
- 11of 21 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 101 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 04 with free entry
State parks near Bradenton, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Bradenton; driving distance is usually longer.
Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park
Popular activities here are historic sites and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park →Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site
The park supports historic sites, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site →Terra Ceia Preserve State Park
Things to do include historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, and wildlife watching. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Terra Ceia Preserve State Park →Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
Things to do include fishing.
Hours, fees and rules for Skyway Fishing Pier State Park →Egmont Key State Park
Popular activities here are historic sites, boating, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Egmont Key State Park →Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, boating, wildlife watching, fishing, and hiking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park →Lake Manatee State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Manatee State Park →Little Manatee River State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, biking, and wildlife watching. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Little Manatee River State Park →South Fork State Park
South Fork State Park is a park in Manatee County, about 22 miles east of Palmetto.
Hours, fees and rules for South Fork State Park →Oscar Scherer State Park
The park supports historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, wildlife watching, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Oscar Scherer State Park →Myakka River State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, and wildlife watching. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Myakka River State Park →Wingate Creek State Park
In Manatee County, about 24 miles northwest of Arcadia, Wingate Creek State Park covers about 615 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Wingate Creek State Park →Alafia River State Park
The park supports horseback riding, biking, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. For overnight stays there are 32 campsites across 3 camping areas (RV sites with full hookups and tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Alafia River State Park →Ybor City Museum State Park
Visitors come for historic sites and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Ybor City Museum State Park →Caladesi Island State Park
Things to do include beachcombing, historic sites, boating, swimming, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach. Overnight options include 108 campsites across 6 camping areas, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Caladesi Island State Park →Honeymoon Island State Park
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, surfing, beachcombing, historic sites, and canoeing and kayaking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Honeymoon Island State Park →Stump Pass Beach State Park
Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, beachcombing, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and swimming. Water access includes a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Stump Pass Beach State Park →Don Pedro Island State Park
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Don Pedro Island State Park →Paynes Creek Historic State Park
Visitors come for historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, biking, wildlife watching, and fishing. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Paynes Creek Historic State Park →Anclote Key Preserve State Park
The park supports beachcombing, historic sites, boating, swimming, and wildlife watching. For overnight stays there is 1 campsites (tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Anclote Key Preserve State Park →Hillsborough River State Park
The park supports historic sites, swimming, fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming pool. For overnight stays there are 110 campsites across 3 camping areas (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Hillsborough River State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Bradenton
- Lake Manatee State Park 14 mi east · 62 campsites
- Little Manatee River State Park 17 mi northeast · 40 campsites
- Oscar Scherer State Park 23 mi south · 108 campsites
- Myakka River State Park 24 mi southeast · 123 campsites
- Alafia River State Park 33 mi northeast · 32 campsites
+ 5 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Bradenton
- Myakka River State Park 24 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
Swimming near Bradenton
- Egmont Key State Park 14 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Manatee State Park 14 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Oscar Scherer State Park 23 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- Caladesi Island State Park 40 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
- Honeymoon Island State Park 42 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 4 more in the list above
Hiking near Bradenton
- Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site 5 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Egmont Key State Park 14 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park 14 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Lake Manatee State Park 14 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- Little Manatee River State Park 17 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
+ 9 more in the list above
Fishing near Bradenton
- Terra Ceia Preserve State Park 6 mi north · Fishing listed
- Skyway Fishing Pier State Park 12 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Egmont Key State Park 14 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park 14 mi north · Fishing listed
- Lake Manatee State Park 14 mi east · Fishing listed
+ 11 more in the list above
Free state parks near Bradenton
- Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site 5 mi north · No entrance fee listed
- Terra Ceia Preserve State Park 6 mi north · No entrance fee listed
- Egmont Key State Park 14 mi northwest · No entrance fee listed
- Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park 14 mi north · No entrance fee listed
Questions about state parks near Bradenton
What is the closest state park to Bradenton?
Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park is the closest, about 4 miles northeast of Bradenton in a straight line. Next are Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site and Terra Ceia Preserve State Park.
How many state parks are near Bradenton?
21 state park units are within 50 miles, and 11 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Bradenton have camping?
10 parks list camping, the nearest being Lake Manatee State Park, Little Manatee River State Park and Oscar Scherer State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Bradenton?
None of the parks listed here say dogs are allowed. Check each park page before bringing a pet.
Are there free state parks near Bradenton?
4 parks list no entrance fee: Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site, Terra Ceia Preserve State Park and Egmont Key State Park. Camping and some activities can still cost extra.
State parks near other cities
- Near St. Petersburg, FL19 mi north
- Near Tampa, FL34 mi north
- Near North Port, FL38 mi southeast
- Near Plant City, FL46 mi northeast
- Near New Port Richey, FL53 mi north
- Near Bartow, FL54 mi northeast
- Near Lakeland, FL55 mi northeast
- Near Zephyrhills, FL57 mi northeast
Or see all Florida state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.