There is much more to do in Fantastic Experiences In Tampa, Florida For Mature Travelers than savoring a Cuban sandwich, watching the NFL Buccaneers or MLB Rays play, or spending the day at Busch Gardens. In fact, the outdoor recreation found in the Tampa area is incredible from paddle boarding to kayaking and yes, even hiking.
Now, Tampa (and Florida in general) is not known for hikes to towering mountains or thundering waterfalls, but what the trails in the Tampa area lack in those amenities is more than made up for with the incredible scenery along the area’s rivers and backwaters, the wildlife that thrives around the parks and trails, and the wildflowers that brighten the paths.
Take time out from your Tampa vacation and get off the beaten path to explore the natural beauty of the area. To help get you started, here are six of my favorite hikes in the Big Guava — Tampa.
Remember, trails often change, so be sure to visit the links provided before heading out for updates.
1. Osprey-Pelican Loop Hike, Honeymoon Island State Park
Dunedin
- Length: 2.6-mile loop
- Difficulty: Easy over level terrain
- Approximate Hiking Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Hours: Open year-round 8 a.m. to sunset
- Admission: $8 per vehicle day-use fee, $4 single-occupant vehicle
This hike combines two trails at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, the Osprey Trail and Pelican Cove Trails, to create a beautiful walk along the banks of Pelican Cove and the Gulf of Mexico.
The Pelican Trail winds its way around the cove, where sea oats line the path and quietly sway in the breeze and where you will be able to take in beautiful ocean views and incredible fiery sunsets while relaxing on small white sand beaches.
Along the Osprey Loop trail, you will be walking through one of the last virgin slash pine forests and will be able to view dozens of ospreys as they put on an aerial show vying for dinner for their young chicks who wait anxiously in the large nests that line the route.
Pro Tip: A Bit Of History And Note On Dogs
The island became known as Honeymoon Island in 1939 when a developer built 50 thatched-roof bungalows and with the help of Life magazine, held a contest where newlywed couples could win a 2-week “honeymoon” on the island.
While the hike is easy overall, you will be walking on fine beach sand on the Pelican Cove Loop. Dogs are not allowed on the Pelican Trail but are allowed on the Osprey and must be on a leash.
2. Robinson Preserve
Bradenton
- Length: 3.3-mile loop
- Difficulty: Easy over level terrain and boardwalks
- Approximate Hiking Time: 2 hours
- Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
- Admission: Free
A combination of a traditional dirt footpath, gravel paths, and elevated boardwalks through wetlands lead to one incredible loop hike at Robinson Preserve in Bradenton.
The elevated boardwalks take you high above incredibly beautiful wetlands that are teeming with birds like great blue heron, egrets, wood stork, dowitcher, and the vibrant red-hued roseate spoonbill. Walk quietly and you will catch a glimpse of many sea and shore birds like the black-bellied plover and least tern.
As you near Tampa Bay, you will be sharing the path with fiddler crabs and maybe, just maybe, glimpse a gopher tortoise.
A highlight of the hike is a climb up the five-story observation tower for a bird’s eye view of the 600-acre preserve.
Pro Tip: Beat The Crowds And Wet The Paddle
The preserve is very popular, and you will never be walking alone. Beat the crowds by arriving first thing in the morning. The sunrise helps make the early hour well worth it.
If you are a kayaker, Robinson Preserve also offers a spectacular paddle through 5 miles of bayous, along the banks of the Manatee River, and Perico and Palma Sola Bays.
3. Eureka Springs Conservation Park
Tampa
- Length: 0.3-mile loop
- Difficulty: Easy over level terrain and boardwalks
- Approximate Hiking Time: 1 hour
- Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
- Admission: $2 parking fee
Established in 1938 by botanist Albert Greensburg, Eureka Springs Conservation Park is a 31-acre tropical botanical garden. The short loop trail leads hikers through a collection of rare and unusual tropical foliage and the largest collection of ferns in the state.
The trails leave the well-maintained rose garden and orchid house and head off through the park’s lush floodplain forest of tupelo, cypress, and maple trees.
Pro Tip: Fido Is Welcome
Eureka Springs is very dog friendly with plenty of poop bag stations around. Just remember that dogs must be on a leash.
4. Hillsborough River State Park
Thonotosassa
- Length: 6 miles total – a 2.8-mile out-and-back using the Rapids Trail and a short portion of the Baynard Trail plus a 3.2-mile loop on the Seminole Trail
- Difficulty: Easy over relatively flat terrain
- Approximate Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Hours: Open year-round 8 a.m. to sunset
- Admission: $6 per vehicle day-use fee, $4 single-occupant vehicle
This hike uses three trails to complete a nice trek along the banks of the Hillsborough River in the park of the same name.
The highlights of the hike include a view of a rarity in the flat landscapes of Florida — Class II rapids in the river — and everyone’s favorite destination, crossing the river on a wonderful suspension bridge.
The trails take you through what is called a hydric hammock forest with pines, hardwoods, and a thick understory of palms and ferns.
The trails at Hillsborough River State Park are well maintained and easy to follow. For the hike described here, follow the Rapids Trail to get to the suspension bridge. Once you cross the river on the bridge, turn left (west) onto the Baynard Trail and follow it to the Seminole Trail to begin the loop portion of the hike. At the end of the loop, simply retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
Pro Tip: Flood Warnings
One quarter of the Hillsborough River State Park is in low-lying areas, making many trails prone to flooding in rainy weather. Check with park headquarters about trail closures before heading out.
Download a copy of Hillsborough River State Park’s trail map to get an idea of their fun trail system and the route described here.
5. Lettuce Lake Conservation Park
Tampa
- Length: 3.3-miles of trail that interconnect to allow different loops
- Difficulty: Easy over relatively flat terrain
- Approximate Hiking Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Hours: Open year-round — spring/summer 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., fall/winter 8 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Admission: $2 per vehicle day-use fee (up to eight people per vehicle)
Lettuce Lake Conservation Park is far from being a secret. In fact, it is one of the Tampa area’s most visited parks with plenty of wooded picnic areas, playgrounds, and one paved hiking trail that has exercise stations along the route.
The park is located in a natural floodplain of the Hillsborough River with many of the trails traveling through a hardwood swamp forest.
The highlight of hiking Lettuce Lake is the 3,500-foot boardwalk that leads you to the banks of the river and a three-story observation tower for a beautiful view of the river.
There are three trails within the park that interconnect allowing for a couple of different routes. Trail maps are available online.
Pro Tips: Guided Hikes And Mostly Dog Friendly
Lettuce Lake features informative guided hikes on weekends led by park rangers or volunteers. Check their calendar for the latest tour schedule.
While the park is generally dog friendly (they must be kept on a leash), dogs are not permitted on the boardwalk.
6. Brooker Creek Nature Preserve
Lutz
- Length: 4.3-miles of trail within the 1,121-acre preserve that interconnect to allow different loops
- Difficulty: Easy over relatively flat terrain
- Approximate Hiking Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
- Admission: No fee
The trails at the Brooker Creek Nature Preserve in Odessa provide a nice walk in the woods, plain and simple. There is nothing truly outstanding about the hike except the peaceful solitude you will experience.
The 4.3-miles of trail within the preserve lead you through wide grassy meadows, a rugged cypress swamp, oak hammocks, and tall pines. The trails are generally grass and dirt paths and are easy walking. Each path is blazed with the color of the path’s name — the White, Red, Blue, and Yellow Trails.
A trail map is available online or can be viewed at the trailhead kiosk.
Pro Tips: Don’t Get Wet
Once again, the trails at Booker Creek are in low-lying areas and may have standing water on them. Check the weather and let them dry out a bit before heading out after a good soaking rain.