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Neal Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 331 Google reviews · Running trail in Bradenton, Florida · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- 1 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Neal Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Serene, 120-acre wetland habitat with trails, boardwalks & a tower for sunsets & bird watching.
What runners say about Neal Preserve
“Beautiful little preserve with lots of wildlife and interesting history.”
Beautiful little preserve with lots of wildlife and interesting history. There are burial mounds that are hundreds of years old which is cool. There is also a 3 story observational tower that gives a pretty good look around the area. The only reason it's not a 5 star for me is that its so small.
This was a great little preserve! It's pretty short, definitely much smaller/shorter to walk than Perico Preserve down the road, but it's nice to do both in the same day, too! I did get to see quite a few birds, and it is neat that they include history along the paths, too.
Great place for a short walk. Especially if you have kids. Tons of bird species, lizards and even a few rabbits. The tower at the back of the preserve was really cool. There is a picnic area here and one rough porta John.
Neal Preserve on Perico Bay feels like a quiet threshold where time overlaps. The trails are short and easy, yet the land holds deep layers of history. This area was once a village, gathering place, and burial ground for Indigenous people going back as far as 3000 BC, with multiple cultures living and shaping life…
Trail conditions & character
“This is a small reserve and relatively overlooked by others (very few people are ever there).”
“Walking along the boardwalk and reading about the Perico Island Burial Mound, you start to sense how long this landscape has been inhabited and cared for.”
“There is a portable toilet and handicap parking on a cement pad.”
“There is a portable toilet and handicap parking on a cement pad.”
Plan your run at Neal Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- Distance1 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitemymanatee.org
- Phone(941) 742-5923
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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