asahitiptip

While hiking at Manatee Springs State Park we came across this Seminole Chickee Hut. Great for shelter and taking a break. Not sure if you can camp here, there is a fire pit but it's best to check with the state park here: http://www.floridastateparks.org/mana...

You can hike the trails in the forest here and swim at Manatee Springs at the front of the park.

More than 20 distinct biological communities provide a rich array of habitats for wildlife and livestock, including alligators, bison, horses and more than 270 species of birds.

Rock Springs bubbles up from a cleft in a rock outcropping and, instead of spreading out into a pool, becomes a swiftly running stream that quickly slows to a meander. It is really neat to jump in and float down stream.

At the north end of the preserve near the observation deck we came upon this bison. They are common in the preserve, we kept our distance!