Friends of the Carlton Reserve
1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway
Venice, FL 34292
NOTICE OF TEMPORARY CLOSURES:
The following will be closed for Resource Management Operations
Tuesday, Oct. 24 and Wednesday Oct. 25th, 2023: CARLTON RESERVE AND
BIG SLOUGH PRESERVE
Thurs., Oct. 26th, 2023: Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Schewe Preserve South
Interested in Camping?
Call (941)861-7275 or email parksonline@scgov.net
Reservations and camping permits are required.
Fees: Adults:$5perpersonpernight with a $10 minimum. Organized Youth Groups: $2 per person per night.
Reservations can be made for individual or group tent camping. Check-in is available 2 p.m. with site check-out no later than 1 p.m. on day of check-out.
Leave No Trace philosophy is required at the campsite and throughout the park.
Call 941.861.5000 for Primitive Camping Information and Reservations
T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve 1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice Florida, 34292
Homestead Campsite
Primitive Backcountry Camping:
The Homestead Campsite offers remote backcountry tent camping in pine, oak and cabbage palm mixed forest near the State designated ’Wild and Scenic’ Myakka River. The campsite is accessible by hiking or bicycling approximately 4 miles into the camp, or by canoeing or kayaking on the Myakka River. The nearest public canoe/kayak launch is located off Border Road approximately 3.6 miles downstream of the Homestead Camp.
Reservations and camping permits are required.
Fees: Adults:$5perpersonpernight with a $10 minimum. Organized youth groups and children 17 and under are $2 per person per night.
Camp Capacity: 6 tents, 12 people
Reservations can be made for individual or group tent camping. Check-in is available after 3 p.m. with site check-out no later than 1 p.m. on day of check-out.
Amenities
Homestead Camp amenities include picnic tables, benches and a fire-ring. The site is approximately 4 miles from the park entrance.
Experiences
The Homestead Camp is located within the 24,565 acre T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve. Visitors can enjoy the sounds and sights of nature sitting still or exploring the trails. Observe diverse natural communities including dry prairie, pine flatwoods, mesic hammocks and seasonal wetlands; wading birds, alligator, deer, bobcat, coyote, wild hogs; and a variety of wildflowers. The Reserve has more than 80 miles of hiking trails including shorter interpretive trails located near the Reserve entrance. The 12-mile long Myakka Island Wilderness Trail connects the Reserve with Myakka River State Park. Most trail intersections are marked with numbered trail markers. Maps are available at the interpretive kiosk in the main parking area.
Leave No Trace philosophy is required at the campsite and throughout the park.
T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve 1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice, Florida 34292
Cabbage Palm Loop Campsite
Primitive Camping:
The Cabbage Palm Loop Camp offers primitive tent camping in a shady cabbage palm and oak hammock.
Reservations and camping permits are required.
Fees: Adult: $5 per person per
night. With a minimum of $10.
Organized Youth Groups: $2 per person per night.
Camp Capacity: 4 campsites, maximum two tents and 6 people at each site.
Reservations can be made for primitive tent camping. Site check-in after 2 p.m. with site check-out no later than 1 p.m. on day of check- out.
Amenities
Cabbage Palm Loop Camp amenities include picnic tables and barbeque grills. Parking, restrooms, multi-use and primitive trails, Carlton Visitors Cabin and a picnic pavilion are located nearby.
Experiences
Cabbage Palm Loop Camp is located within the 24,565 acre T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve. Visitors can enjoy the sounds and sights of nature sitting still or exploring the trails. Observe the diverse natural communities which include dry prairie, pine flatwoods, mesic hammocks and seasonal wetlands; diverse wildlife including wading birds, alligator, deer, bobcat, coyote, wild hogs; and a variety of wildflowers. The Reserve has more than 80 miles of hiking trails including the nearby interpretive one-mile Orange Trail, the 3-mile Red Trail, and the 2-mile Green Trail. The 12-mile long Myakka Island Wilderness Trail connects the Reserve with Myakka River State Park. Most trail intersections are marked with blue numbered trail markers. Maps are available at the park’s interpretive kiosk.
Leave No Trace philosophy is required at all campsites and throughout the park.
Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, religion, or genetic information. Persons with disabilities who require assistance or alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), or who wish to file a complaint, should contact: Sarasota County ADA/ Civil Rights Coordinator, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34236, Phone: 941-861-5000; TTY 7-1-1 or 1-800-955-8771, Email: adacoordinator@scgov.net
Call 941.861.5000 for Primitive Camping Information and Reservations
T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve 1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice, Florida 34292
Windy Sawgrass Campsite
Primitive Camping:
The Windy Sawgrass Camp offers primitive tent camping in an historic, restored cow camp complete with cook shack, bunkhouse & stables.
Reservations and camping permits are required.
Fees: Adult: $5 per person per night. With a minimum of $10. Organized Youth Groups: $2 per person per night.
Reservations can be made for primitive tent camping. Site check-in after 1 p.m. with site check-out no later than 1 p.m. on day of check- out.
Amenities
Windy Sawgrass Camp amenities include picnic tables, benches and a fire ring. A rustic bunkhouse is available if you don’t want to pitch a tent. Stables for horse campers are on site as well as a windmill with a horse watering trough. No potable water or restrooms are available at this site.
Experiences
The historic Windy Sawgrass Camp (aka Cowboy Camp) is located within the 24,565 acre T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve. Visitors can enjoy the rustic bunkhouse, cookshack and horse stables that were part of an original cow camp that has existed since the 1930’s. Observe the diverse natural communities which include dry prairie, pine flatwoods, mesic hammocks and seasonal wetlands; diverse wildlife including wading birds, alligator, deer, bobcat, coyote, wild hogs; and a variety of wildflowers. The Reserve has more than 80 miles of hiking trails. Most trail intersections are marked with blue numbered trail markers. Maps are available at the park’s interpretive kiosk.
Leave No Trace philosophy is required at all campsites and throughout the park.
Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, religion, or genetic
President: Linda@carltonreserve.org
Treasurer: Dan@carltonreserve.org
Website & Info: Sherm@carltonreserve.org
Park Naturalist
Meghan Harris Meyer
Link to searchable U.S. map resources with parks, trails, campgrounds, historical sites, marinas, etc.
Sarasota County
Field Guide
to Conservation Lands
(download 64pp. PDF)
