The story
A short, flat path leads from the Upper Myakka Lake lot out to an observation deck on the lakeshore — one of the best spots in the park to watch wading birds and alligators. Stay back from the water's edge.
Before you head back out, there's one more thing worth doing here at the lake. Pull into the lot, and take the short path out to the observation deck on the shore of Upper Myakka Lake — it's an easy few-hundred-yard walk on the flat, and it opens onto one of the great wildlife views in all of Florida. Bring your water, and watch your footing near the water's edge; the deck itself is the safe place to stand and take it all in. Ranger Boone's got a tale waiting for you out there at the rail.