Fort Hamer Park and the Manatee River: A Weekend Guide
Minutes from Canoe Creek, Fort Hamer Park puts you on the Manatee River with a boat ramp, kayak launch, and fishing pier. Here is how to make the most of it.
Roger Reed
Realtor · RAR Property Group, powered by EXP Realty
Fort Hamer Park is the closest real river escape to Canoe Creek, a short drive from 4715 Canoe Creek Ave. It is a county park on the Manatee River, roughly 7.3 acres, and it packs a lot of water access into a compact, easy-to-reach space.
What is there
The park has a boat ramp, a canoe and kayak launch, a fishing pier, two pavilions, and plenty of picnic tables under the oaks. It is also home to the Manatee County Rowing boathouse, so on a good morning you will see racing shells out on the water.
What to bring
Kick off a kayak or paddleboard from the launch and work the shoreline, drop a line off the fishing pier, or just set up a picnic and watch the river traffic. Bring sun protection, water, and bug spray. The park is free and open daily.
Pair it with a paddle tour
Fort Hamer is a common launch for guided paddle tours of the Upper Manatee River, and the preserve trails at nearby Rye Preserve are close enough to combine in one day. For Canoe Creek residents, that means a full weekend outside without burning half of it in the car.
If you are new to the area, start here. It is the single best public slice of the Manatee River within ten minutes of the neighborhood.
Thinking about this area?
Talk it through with Roger Reed. He knows the market and the neighborhood well.