| Deer Prairie Creek Preserve | |
| Iucn Category: | V |
| Map: | USA Florida |
| Relief: | yes |
| Map Width: | 284 |
| Label: | Deer Prairie Creek Preserve |
| Label Position: | left |
| Location: | Sarasota County, Florida |
| Nearest City: | North Port, Florida |
| Coordinates: | 27.08°N -82.3°W |
| Governing Body: | Sarasota County |
Deer Prairie Creek Preserve is a 6439acres natural area with of trail in unincorporated Sarasota County, Florida, USA, around 6miles along the Myakka River.
The land was acquired between 2000 and 2004 through a partnership between Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).
Habitats include pine flatwoods, prairie hammock and seasonal wetlands. Animals living in the area include gopher tortoises, deer, alligators, river otter, wild turkey, swallow-tailed kite, Florida scrub-jays and wading birds. Notable plants growing in the preserve are St John's wort, tarflower and the pine lily (Lilium catesbaei), native to Florida.[1] Equestrian uses are also allowed.[2] [3]
The park has two entrances. The northern entrance is located at 7001 Forbes Trail and the southern entrance at 10201 South Tamiami Trail.
The park has over 70 miles of Hiking Trails. There are also Bicycle Trails.[4]