I dropped by Snook Haven in Venice this week as I had not been there since Hurricane Ian flooded the area in September 2022. I knew they had reopened around the first of the year and I must say things are completely back to normal! Check out my video and also check out the rest of this post for more info about Snook Haven!
Snook Haven is a unique part of the history of the Venice Florida area. After a long history as a fishing camp and river hideaway, Sarasota County purchased the location in 2006 and created a County Park offering public access to the Myakka River, now designated as a Florida “Wild and Scenic River”. It is also a destination with a great backwoods style barbeque restaurant and live entertainment. Read on for more about this local gem!
Snook Haven History
According to local lore, Snook Haven was a 1920’s era fish camp where fishermen could catch Snook and other species (and probably gators) from the Myakka River. Due to it’s remote location down a long dirt trail it was the perfect location for moonshiners and rum runners to offload their product during Prohibition. Rumors also believe that gentlemen would visit with their “ladies” and make use of the fishing cabins on the property. Also due to the remote jungle like location, several movies may have been partially filmed at Snook Haven, including “Prestige” in 1931 (a French film) and “Tarzan’s Revenge” in 1938. During the next several decades the location continued to serve primarily as a fishing camp.
Snook Haven Today
Over time the property changed hands several times. A low key restaurant was established and the location became popular with locals as a spot to grab a bite and a beer with great views of the river while dining on the rear deck. In 2006 Sarasota County purchased the property and established a County Park offering direct access to kayaking, canoeing and fishing on the Myakka. The county also entered an agreement with the Pachota Group who runs the famous “Sharky’s On The Pier” restaurant to run the restaurant and bar at Snook Haven. It has been a very popular destination especially on weekends when there is live entertainment. The restaurant has an authentic backwoods barbeque menu offering brisket, pulled pork and some local fare like “gator bites”.
Snook Haven Damaged By Hurricane Ian
Much of the damage in the Venice area from Hurricane Ian in September 2022 was from flooding. The entire Myakka River watershed suffered extensive flooding from the hurricane, and Snook Haven was inundated by flooding. After a focused cleanup effort the county approved a reopening at the end of December 2022. Today I visited Snook Haven and here is what I observed compared to pre hurricane.
Things To Do At Snook Haven
As it is a county park, visitors can launch their own kayaks, canoes, and small power boats at Snook Haven. There are also canoe and kayak rentals available, and there is river tour available on a comfy pontoon boat for a fee. There are several other public launches available nearby, including at Venice Myakka River Park at the east end of Laurel Road about 4 miles to the north, or at Carlton Reserve at the east end of Border Road about 2 miles to the north. A nice paddle would be to drop off one vehicle at Snook Haven, then launch at Venice Myakka River Park and enjoy a leisurely paddle down the river to Snook Haven and enjoy a nice lunch! You might also see one of the gators that ply the waters of the Myakka.
Where is Snook Haven?
Snook Haven is located at 5000 E Venice Ave, at the eastern end of Venice Ave. This is about 7 miles from downtown Venice. The final 3/4 mile is on a hard packed dirt road and you’re thinking is it really back here? Yes it is! From I-75 you can exit at River Rd (exit 191) and drive south and turn left at the light at Venice Ave. The River Rd widening project is well underway so the construction and traffic on River Rd is a bit of a nuisance but the project is long overdue.
I highly recommend that you visit Snook Haven and enjoy a glimpse into what “Old Florida” was like. And sit back and enjoy a great meal and cool beverage and some live entertainment if you time it right.
If you visit or have visited let me know your thoughts!
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