Anna Maria Island is the perfect destination for your next family vacation. The quiet calm of the island is the best way to reconnect with your loved ones away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can stroll down the streets, explore the locally owned shops and restaurants, splash in the gorgeous Gulf waters, and simply enjoy some much-needed quality time together.
One of the best Anna Maria Island family-friendly activities? Hiking! Hiking in Anna Maria Island allows you to feel the sunshine outside, get some exercise, and see some of the island’s most beautiful nature up close. Luckily, there are plenty of trails in the area, so even if you’ve never been hiking before, you can easily find a path that suits you.
Here’s everything you should know about hiking before you set out for your adventure.
Where to Go
The Anna Maria Island area is truly a hidden gem, so there are several spots where you can find untouched nature for your hike. There are incredible hiking destinations on the island itself as well as on the mainland in Bradenton, just a few minutes away. We’ve listed our favorite spots below, as well as what to look out for while you’re there!
Leffis Key Preserve
Leffis Key Preserve is located right here on Anna Maria Island, so you don’t have to go far to experience a great hike. Leffis Key started out as an overgrown island with lots of plants not native to the area, but thanks to the combined efforts of the local community and government, it’s now a stunning example of what dedicated restoration efforts can accomplish! This preserve now stands out as a nationally significant estuary featuring the most beautiful saltwater wetlands around.
Hiking is available on every single trail throughout Leffis Key Preserve. You’ll find 0.65 miles of nature trails that are a combination of boardwalks and packed shell. As you hike, you can make your way up to the 26-foot hill that sits in the middle of the restored area to experience a one-of-a-kind view of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. Keep a lookout for plant species like sea grapes, Jamaica dogwood, strangler fig, dune sunflower, beach elder, and more!
You’ll also see a wide range of local marine and wildlife as you make your way through the 1,500 lineal feet of boardwalks. Look down into the water to see how many different types of fish you can spot, or send your gaze upwards to check out the incredible bird species. It’s all right here on Anna Maria Island! Leffis Key Preserve welcomes guests every day from 8 a.m. until sunset.
Perico Preserve
Head to the mainland to reach the city of Bradenton and experience Perico Preserve. Much like Leffis Key Preserve, this area has been through significant restoration and is actually the first preserve of its kind that’s been completely conceptualized as a bird sanctuary! Perico Preserve features the classic coastal wetlands of Florida while also showing off scrub hills and upland areas for visitors to discover. If you’re searching for a place where your family can simply disconnect from the worries of life and get in touch with nature, this is the spot!
This preserve is a particularly calm and quiet place; dogs are not allowed on the property (besides service dogs), and bikes are only allowed on certain paths throughout the preserve. These regulations not only serve to keep Perico Preserve peaceful but also help to make sure the native animals are as undisturbed as possible. Overall, there are 3.1 miles of hiking trails here, each 6- to 8-feet wide and made from packed shell. These trails are easily accessible for all, but watch your step in areas where the path may be uneven.
As you can probably guess, Perico Preserve is a great place for birdwatchers who want to check as many native species as possible off of their lists! You can see all kinds of species like herons, pelicans, egrets, ospreys, and more. Be sure to bring your binoculars to get the best view without disturbing the birds! Perico Preserve is available for you to visit every day from sunrise to sunset.
Neal Preserve
Also located in the city of Bradenton is Neal Preserve, a stunning 120-acre property that features both coastal habitats and oak hammock uplands. If you’ve got a history buff in your group, be sure to bring them to Neal Preserve! This destination is one of the best things to do on Anna Maria Island to see nature and learn about the area at the same time. As you hike through the grounds, the paths will take you past ancient reconstructed burial grounds from the days of the Native Americans that lived here from 3000 BC to 1400 AD. Just remember, since this is a protected space, there’s no collecting allowed.
Similar to Perico Preserve, Neal Preserve is a calm place that doesn’t allow pets. While Perico Preserve allows bikes on certain trails, no bikes are allowed within Neal Preserve. If you do ride your bike to get here, you can leave it at the convenient bike racks at the entrance to the park. This preserve is a great place to go if you’re searching for a shorter hike; there is a half-mile of trails to explore, featuring a mixture of boardwalk and shell.
Be sure to follow the trails up to the 20-foot observation tower where you can see all around the mangrove forests and salt terns. Here, you’ll also have the best view of the native bird species that call Neal Preserve home! Neal Preserve is open every day from sunrise until sunset, so there’s plenty of opportunity for you to experience it for yourself.
Plan Your Next Visit
Now all you need is to book that rental to start planning your dream getaway! Contact us today to find out more about our vacation rentals in Anna Maria Island!
Robinson Preserve
Head to the northwest side of Bradenton to reach the city’s final preserve, Robinson Preserve. While this is the last preserve on our list, it’s definitely not least! In addition to the wonderful opportunities for Anna Maria Island hiking, Robinson Preserve has been recently expanded and now holds a plethora of educational facilities for kids and adults alike to learn about the nature they’re seeing.
As far as hiking, Robinson Preserve is home to a multipurpose trail that contains 2.5 miles of paved pathway and 4.3 miles of packed shell trail. You’ll also find a quieter pedestrian-only trail that’s 2.25 miles of rubber running track. Either way, you’ll be taken through former agricultural lands, tidal marsh, and preserved mangrove, presenting a breathtaking view no matter where you are!
Once you’re done with your hike, head into the Valentine House visitor center to learn a bit more about the area or step inside the stunning Mosaic Center for Nature, Exploration, Science and Technology, or NEST. This building holds a number of hands-on activities for all ages, allowing every guest to get an interactive experience surrounding some of Florida’s most beautiful nature. Robinson Preserve is open daily from sunrise until sunset, though facilities like the Valentine House may have limited hours.
Where to Stay
To embark on an exciting hike, you don’t have to go far from our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals! When you’re done exploring nature, come back to your rental to freshen up and head back out or simply spend the evening resting and relaxing with your family.
