Emerson Point Preserve

Emerson Point Preserve is a nature reserve on a peninsula between the Manatee River and Tampa Bay, featuring coastal habitats, mangrove forests, and tidal wetlands. The property includes several hiking trails, kayak launch points, and picnic pavilions for visitors to use.

The preserve contains the Portavant Mound Complex, a group of shell mounds built thousands of years ago by indigenous peoples. These structures reveal that the area was a significant settlement site for early communities over a long period.

The nature center displays exhibits about native plants, local wildlife, and how early residents depended on the waters for food and materials. Visitors can see evidence of these long-standing connections to the surrounding landscape.

The preserve is open from sunrise to sunset and offers easy access via several marked pathways. Visitors should wear proper footwear and be prepared for uneven terrain and damp conditions.

An observation tower offers panoramic views of Tampa Bay, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, and the mangrove-lined waterways stretching across the landscape. From this vantage point, visitors can grasp the scale and beauty of the broader coastal system.