Wingate Creek State Park

Beker-Wingate Creek, located about 25 miles east of Bradenton, this state park consists of 614 acres of uplands including scrub, scrubby flatwoods, mesic flatwoods and baygall and bottomland forest wetlands associated with tributary streams including the Myakka River.  Wingate Creek and Johnson Creek converge in the park and form a tributary, which flows to the upper Myakka River within the park.  Human occupation on this site goes back thousands of years. The park gets its name from the Wingate family who arrived in this area in the 1890s.

Currently, visitors can use the property for exploring, hiking, biking, birding, and nature study. Hiking and biking are limited to mostly sandy fire breaks. The upland habitats in the park are maintained with prescribed fire, which results in a beautiful display of wildflowers in the fall, including pine lilies, terrestrial orchids, Florida paintbrush and blazing stars. This park is also home to the spring flowering, endangered scrub morning glory, and the Florida bonamia. Wingate Creek State Park is managed through Lake Manatee State Park and is also known as one of the Beker Properties.  There are no facilities at the park, no shade, and no admission fee.  Open dawn to dusk.

A Must-See at the Preserve:

Along the main trail, you will hear and see numerous family groups of Eastern Towhee.  After a mile the habitat changes from scrub to flatwoods.  This is where you may encounter Florida Scrub Jays.

Birds you may encounter while visiting: 

eBird 81 species recorded

The perfect location to see woodpeckers including Red-Headed and Northern Flicker, Eastern Towhee, and sparrows.

Florida Scrub Jays have found their way to this scrubland and have successfully nested here. It is also a good location to watch the sky for migrating swallows.

Accessibility:  Trails are sugar sand and contain roots and muddy ruts.