Playground Closed for Repairs
Playground Closed Week of Oct 26
The playground at Rye Preserve will be closed beginning Monday, October 26. The existing playground is being removed and replaced with a new playground. The new playground should be open in early November.
Rye Preserve Camping November - April
Campground Closed After April 26
Tent Camping is available at Rye Preserve on Friday and Saturday nights, November through April. Starting this year, all camping reservations will be made online.
Experience a slice of old Florida at the Rye Preserve. You don't have to travel far, Rye Preserve is closer than you think. This 530-acre property is located just northwest of the Lake Manatee Dam.
The preserve's trail system leads visitors through four distinctive ecosystems, including sand pine scrub, xeric oak scrub, oak hammocks, and the river community. A variety of interesting creatures can be seen in these areas including the rare gopher tortoise.
Rye Preserve is home to a piece of Manatee County's early pioneer history. Within the preserve, visitors can view the Rye Family Cemetery, the last remaining reminder of the old Rye River community.
Hours
Open daily 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.
- Camping
- Canoe and Kayak Launch
- Education Area - Outdoors
- Fishing Access
- Grills
- Historical Marker
- Playground
- Restrooms
- Shower Stations
- Walking Trail
- Water Fountains
- Wildlife viewing areas
Rye Preserve Playground
Rye Preserve Canoe/Kayak Launch
Location Details
The launch is located on the Red Trail. Start at the main parking area and follow the trail down the steps to the water's edge. The launch site provides access to the Manatee River.
Rye Preserve Campground
Hours
Camping: Available Friday & Saturday nights, November through April.
- Camping fee: $20 per night per site, plus tax.
Tent Camping is available at Rye Preserve on Friday and Saturday nights November through April. Starting this year, all camping reservations will be made online.
Camping Fees & Registration
Camping fees: $20 per night per site plus tax (max 6 people per single campsite).
Rye Preserve Tent Camping Rules
- Maximum of 6 people per single campsite.
- Camping permitted at campground only.
- Campsites must have at least one responsible camper present who is 21 years of age or older.
- No RVs, camping trailers or generators are permitted.
- Pets are allowed but must be on leash at all times.
- Camp fires are permitted in designated fire rings, except during periods of extreme drought.
- Camp fires may be banned during drought conditions. Violators may lose future camping privileges and face penalties from the Florida Forest Service.
- Cutting limbs, driving nails, hanging, or tying anything to trees or shrubs is prohibited.
- Be courteous to others and keep noise to a minimum after 10 p.m.
How to Book a Campsite
Follow this step-by-step guide to find availability and reserve your campsite.
Part 1: How to Book a Campsite
1) View the Reservation Page
At the top of the campsite reservation page, you will see information about the campsites and a campground map. On the left is the availability calendar, and on the right is an interactive map showing each campsite.
Campsite reservation page
2) Check Campsite Availability
The standard view displays the full list of campsites and the weekends they are available.
Example of the campsite availability calendar
3) Select Your Check-in and Check-out Dates
To select your check-in night, click on the date you would like to arrive. The selected dates will turn dark blue.
For a 1-night stay, select your check-in date and the following day as your check-out date. Your selection will appear as 2 blue squares (check-in to check-out).
Example: Selecting a 1-night stay
4) Select a Two-Night Stay
To camp for 2 nights, click on Sunday as your check-out day.
Your selection will appear as 3 blue squares, representing the check-in date, the overnight stay, and the check-out date.
Example: Selecting a 2-night stay
5) Add Your Selection to the Cart
Once you have selected your desired camping nights, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Add to Cart to continue with your reservation.
You're almost there! Your selected camping nights have been added to your cart. Continue through the checkout process to complete your reservation.
Part 2: How to Check Availability for a Specific Site
1) Select a Campsite on the Interactive Map
From the interactive campground map, click on the campsite you are interested in booking.
Select your preferred campsite on the map
2) View Additional Campsite Details
A detail window will pop up showing information about the selected campsite.
Click on "Additional Details" to view availability for that specific campsite.
Click Additional Details to view site availability
3) Review the Specific Site Availability Calendar
On the campsite detail page, you will see a calendar displaying the weekends when that particular site is available.
Availability calendar for your selected campsite
4) Select Your Camping Dates
To select your check-in night, click on the date you would like to arrive. The selected dates will turn dark blue.
For a 1-night stay, select your check-in date and the following day as your check-out date. This is indicated by 2 blue squares.
For a 2-night stay, click on Sunday as your check-out day. This is indicated by 3 blue squares (check-in to check-out).
Example of selecting your camping dates
5) Add Your Selected Nights to the Cart
Once you have selected your desired camping nights, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Add to Cart.
Rye Preserve Nature Center
Hours
Available by reservation only. The facility is free and open to the public by reservation only. Please call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6042 to schedule your group visit.
This newly established educational resource in eastern Manatee County was created to help tell the story of Manatee County’s uplands ecosystems and the unique creatures that call them home. Inside the facility, visitors will find eight hands-on exhibits. Adults and children alike can climb inside the nest of a scrub jay, touch real fossils dating back millions of years, and discover what Rangers encounter while working a prescribed fire. Visitors can travel back in time to discover the Town of Rye and its residents, learning about the once-bustling pioneer village found in the northeastern section of the preserve. Each of these elements combines to tell the story of the preserve.
