Pets Pets are not allowed in camping areas, on bathing beaches, in concession areas and may be restricted in other designated areas of the park.
Service dogs are welcome in all areas of the parks.
Lake Manatee State Recreation Area is located 15 miles east of Bradenton on S.R. 64. Extending along three miles of the south shore of Lake Manatee, these 556 acres were once used for farming, cattle grazing, turpentining and timbering. Today, the 2,400 acre reservoir that makes up Lake Manatee supplies drinking water to Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Swimming is available in the designated area in Lake Manatee with a bathhouse and shower facility located close by. A large picnic area is nestled in a sandpine scrub area just a short walk from the lake.