Local Hikes and Paddles on Florida’s Gulf Coast

Rediscover adventure close to home. Join an inspiring in-store presentation focused on some of the best places to hike and paddle across Sarasota and Manatee counties. From shady coastal trails that wind through pine flatwoods and wetlands to calm waterways where mangroves and wildlife line the shoreline, this region offers surprising ways to unplug and explore without traveling far. We’ll highlight well-loved local favorites along with quieter, less-traveled spots that make it easy to escape the crowds and experience the wilder side of Florida’s Gulf Coast. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas for weekend adventures, practical tips for planning hikes and paddles, and the confidence to get outside more often—whether you’re new to the area or looking to see familiar places in a new way. About our speaker: Sarah Denison Williams is Community Education Manager at Big Waters Land Trust, a local land conservation nonprofit and recipient of a REI Cooperative Action Fund grant. A native Floridian, Sarah has spent more than 16 years exploring the region’s parks, preserves, and waterways as a naturalist and educator, helping others connect with the land and water that define this place.