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Red Bug Slough Preserve Factoids:
  • 72 acres
  • 2 miles of shaded and sunny trails with views of the water
  • The Red Bug Slough is a shallow, slow-moving body of water that filters and improves the quality of water entering Sarasota Bay
  • The Slough is named for the cotton stainer bug




Rules and Regulations:
  • Hours: 6 AM - sunset
  • No trail maps provided. Visitors are encouraged to photograph the map at the entrance (see photo below)
  • No soliciting
  • No open fires
  • No camping
  • No glass
  • Dogs must be kept on hand-held, maximum 6-foot leash


Amenities:
  • Accessible
  • Restrooms at parking lot entrance
  • Interpretive signage
  • Boardwalks
  • Picnic shelters with tables
  • Benches
  • Fishing pier
  • Small playground
  • Unpaved trails

Insider Tips:
  • Very small parking lot. Go early to get a space.
  • Print out the trail map before arriving. Continuously trying to use the photo you took of the trail map at the parking entrance will wear down your phone battery fairly quickly.
  • Most wildlife can be found following trail markers #5-#11 and #21-#25 in a northwestern direction along the slough.
  • Return to parking lot going south along the western boundary for a nice loop and paved walkway
  • Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat

What to Expect:
  • Scenery
  • Wildlife

No trail maps provided. You are encouraged to photograph 
the map shown here at the parking lot entrance.


Unpaved trails


Sheltered picnic table with best view of the Slough


Bench and fishing pier/observation deck


Nice boardwalks along the Slough


Osprey





Mottled Ducks





Common Gallinules
Herons


 Great Blue Heron


Juvenile (very) Blue Heron


Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Juvenile Little Blue Heron


White Egrets




Red-winged Blackbirds







White Peacock Butterfly

Gopher Tortoise


Anhinga









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