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Walton Ranch Preserve Factoids:
  • 3, 760 acres
  • More than 19 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding
  • Marshes, pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks
  • Sarasota County acquired the ranch in 2010
  • Newly opened in 2015
  • The property has a perpetual conservation easement that governs its development

Trail Map: https://www.scgov.net/Home/ShowDocument?id=32829

Rules and Regulations: 
  • Hours: 6 AM - sunset (365 days/year)
  • No motorized vehicles
  • No dogs 

 Amenities:
  • Interpretive signage
  • Trail maps at parking lot
  • Picnic tables
  • Benches 
  • Unpaved trails
  • Porta Potty near parking lot

 Insider Tips:
  • Try the 5.3 mile scenic trail, but start with trail marker #3 by parking lot
  • If it has been rainy, go somewhere else to hike 
  • Closed grazing cattle gates are closed but not locked - trails do traverse them
  • Look for trail markers near cattle grazing gate areas
  • Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat
  • Carry in and out - water, snacks, toilet paper, sanitizer 

 What to Expect:
  • Scenery
  • Wildlife






One of the more intricate spider webs


Spicebush Swallowtail


Crow


Angry Crow


Red-bellied Woodpecker

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk

Feral Piglets


Black Vulture


Turkey Vulture


Deer


Cattle
Feral Pig

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