It is the day after Christmas here on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Brenda and I decided to go our separate ways. There is something about a cool, crisp winter day in South Florida that makes me want to get out and enjoy nature. Emerson Point is full of shaded boardwalks, hiking and biking paths, and kayaking and canoeing routes, but also has historical remains left behind by Native American tribes and settlers from the 1800s.
Emerson Point Preserve is a 365-acre preserve in Manatee County, Florida, located west of Palmetto. It is where the Manatee River meets the Gulf of Mexico. At Emerson Point, visitors can take in the beauty of Florida’s wildlife and native plant communities while exploring both ancient and historic sites. I decided to take a nature walk under the trees because the weather was perfect for it! The trails are easy to walk, so you don’t have to worry about tiring out too easily. Many places have “boardwalks” that are nice and wide and are above the water, so you can watch the fish and turtles swimming around.
Hiking Trails
I put on my comfortable shoes and started my day with a network of hiking trails to experience Florida wildlife and their habitats. The trails are all manageable with various lengths. Florida is so much more than sunshine and beaches. The trails at Emerson Point offer a pristine native landscape. Emerson Point Preserve’s trail system allows hikers to walk paths on both the Tampa Bay and Manatee River sides of the island, with several views of both, as well as an observation tower that provides a bird’s-eye view of the preserve and Tampa Bay, with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the distance.
Kayaking
If you prefer to travel by boat instead of on foot, many visitors to Emerson Point opt for kayaking. If you enjoy kayaking, there are several places where you can launch. You can paddle the Manatee River or Terra Ceia Bay to the north. Launch your canoe and kayak in the mangroves or on the beach in the bay.
The small beach at the point offers a clear view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the distance. I also noticed dogs, so if you’re looking for a pet-friendly park, Emerson Point is your answer. All dogs, however, must be on a leash.
Fishing is allowed in Terra Ceia Bay and the Manatee River. In ancient times, the mixture of fresh and saltwater meant a fabulous fishing ground and a place to gather shellfish and salt. Early Florida Indians settled here to make use of the bounty of the bay.
The Temple Mound of Emerson Point
Under the ancient oak trees draped with Spanish moss, the Portavant Temple Mound at Emerson Point overlooks the Manatee River and is the largest mound in the Tampa Bay area. More than 150 feet long and 80 feet wide, the Portavent Temple Mound at Emerson Point is topped with grandfather live oaks. It is more than a thousand years old and overlooks the Manatee River. It is the largest mound in the Tampa Bay area.
Amerindians created mounds of discarded shells and bones as well as broken pottery and tools. These mounds, called shell middens, were used until at least 1500 AD.
Ancient and historical remains of early Florida Indians are accessible and well-interpreted. They give a sense of what life in Manatee County was like before and during its settlement.
Sunset
We wrapped up our day on the beach. Emerson Point is the perfect place to catch a Florida sunset. The sunsets here are fabulous as the sun sinks into the bay.
Remember, gates close at dusk, so you’ll need to leave the preserve shortly after soaking in the sunset. What could make this sunset better? Perhaps a cup of coffee and a nice warm blanket on this cool December evening.
Emerson Point Preserve is open daily, 365 days a year, from sunrise to sunset. There is no entrance fee.
5801 17th Street West
Palmetto, FL
