Neal Preserve


Located in Bradenton, just before the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Ave is the entrance to Neal Preserve. 

Hiking & Bird Watching

Neal Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset, and is great for hiking and bird watching. Because the habitat is sensitive, and due to the fact that there are nesting bird sites here, Pets are NOT ALLOWED at the preserve and bikes are NOT ALLOWED on the trails. 

The Preserve is 120-acres of coastal habitats, like mangrove forests, and oak hammock uplands. And though it is a lot of land, it is easy to walk since the shell and boardwalk trail is only a half-mile. There is also a 20ft tall observation tower along the trail that gives you a beautiful view of Anna Maria Island and the waters of Anna MarĂ­a Sound. 

Neal Preserve also has a lot of history to go with the land. You will see reconstructed Native American burial mounds along the trails, which were originally excavated in the 1930's,  from the natives that inhabited the land from 3000 BC to 1400 AD.

Neal Preserve 

Neal Preserve is located just before the bridge to Anna Maria Island on Manatee Ave. Some other great preserves in the local area include Leffis Key Preserve (the Island only preserve), and Robinson Preserve in NW Bradenton. 

Address

12301 Manatee Ave W
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 742-5923

Website

Neal Preserve