It is the day after Christmas here on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Brenda and I decided to go our separate ways. So, while Brenda headed to Walmart for the half-priced chocolate and bows, I got in the car and headed to Emerson Point Preserve just west of Sneads Island in Palmetto, Florida. 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 loaded with shaded boardwalks, hiking and biking paths, and kayaking and canoeing routes, but it 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 very 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 and are of varying lengths with different scenery. Florida is so much more than sunshine and beaches. The trails at Emerson Point are a walkthrough of Florida’s 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 would rather travel by boat instead of by foot, many visitors to Emerson Point choose kayaking. If you enjoy kayaking, there are several places to 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 many people brought their dogs, so if you’re looking for a pet-friendly park, Emerson Point may be for you. All dogs, however, must be on a leash.

Fishing is allowed in Terra Ceia Bay and the Manatee River. But 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 were called shell middens. They were used until at least 1500 AD.

Ancient and historical remains of early Florida Indians are accessible and well-interpreted to give a sense of what life in Manatee County was like before and during its settlement.

Sunset

I wrapped up my 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 couple of those half-priced chocolate peanut butter cups. Hey Brenda, could you pass me a couple more?

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