Pinellas County Parks
Fort De Soto park
- Whether you are sitting on the beach or kayaking near the still water's edge at Fort De Soto, you find yourself absorbed in the abundance of natural beauty for as far as the eye can see. The complexity of the ecology is not immediately apparent, but the park offers the greatest diversity of systems just about anywhere. Emerging from the wealth of bird life, sea life, wild life and plant life is the majestic tapestry called Fort De Soto.
Anderson Park
- The park is characterized by hilly terrain, wooded areas and beautiful vistas overlooking Salmon Bay and Lake Tarpon.
A distinctive arrangement of picnic pads, elevated boardwalk, and a nature trail, which is 478 linear feet long, has been developed among the cypress trees along the Salmon Bay shoreline.
Brooker Creek
- At approximately 8,700 acres, Brooker Creek Preserve is a significant conservation area in the northeastern corner of Pinellas County, where the management of its natural resources (including the protection of its potable water supply) is a priority. It is owned by Pinellas County government and Southwest Florida Water Management District and is managed by Parks and Conservation Resources.
Seagrass Lake
- Sawgrass Lake Park, 400 acres in size, allows people to walk through one of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The park’s mile-long boardwalk and half-mile dirt trail provide opportunities to see birds, butterflies, plants and animals in their natural settings within the most densely populated county in Florida. Herons, egrets, ibis, wood storks, alligators and turtles can be seen along the canals and lakes. Thousands of birds migrate through the park during the fall and spring, attracting birders and eco-tourists from all over the country.
Hillsborough County
Flatwoods Park
- Best known for its seven-mile paved loop road, which serves as a multiuse trail, Flatwoods Park provides a nature-filled getaway. The Morris Bridge well-field is located within the Park, and well-houses can be observed along the trail. A two-mile paved extension connects Bruce B. Downs Boulevard with the loop road. Park activities and features include a paved bicycle loop, off road bike trails, remote picnicking, and nature trails.
Lake Park
- There’s something for everyone at this large park surrounded by suburban homes. For nature lovers, there are five lakes, cypress swamps, pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, and lots of wildlife. Marked wooded pathways are great for hikers, cross-country runners, mountain bicyclists, and equestrians. There’s a fitness trail with workout stations, an archery range, two horse arenas, and opportunities to fish and boat on the lakes. The park has a track for Tampa BMX and radio-controlled car racing.
Lake Rogers Park
- Trails popular with hikers and joggers twist through this park’s forest of oak and pine trees. Anglers and kayakers frequent two freshwater lakes, one of which — Lake Rogers — is among the largest in Hillsborough County.
Lettuce Lake Park
- Lettuce Lake Conservation Park is one of Hillsborough County's most visited parks. More than half of the park’s property lies in the natural floodplain of the Hillsborough River, consisting of a hardwood swamp forest. The remainder of the park consists of hardwood hammocks and pine flatwoods plant communities. The park features wooded picnic areas and playgrounds, a 1.25-mile paved exercise trail and 3,500-foot boardwalk with an observation tower provides scenic views of the Hillsborough River. Park ranger and volunteer-led nature education tours are available on weekends. Canoe and kayaks rentals provide up-close encounters with a variety of aquatic birds and wildlife.
Pasco County
Anclote Park
- This beautiful and serene park setting offers 300' of swimming area on the Gulf of Mexico and picnic areas, playgrounds, designated fishing and boating area, large boat ramp and the park is known for its Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.
Aripeka Sandhills Park
- The Weekiwachee Preserve is part of a regional system of conservation lands that extends up to Crystal River Buffer Preserve, preserving the southernmost coastal hardwood hammock in western Florida. As part of this large preserve, Aripeka Sandhills preserves important habitat communities such as dense hardwood swamps and pine-covered sandhills. The preserve has 5 geocaches and 1.6 miles of hiking trails.
Crews Lake Park
- This wilderness park consists of 113 acres and there is so much to enjoy at this beautiful park. There is an observation tower, bird houses, a paved bike path, you can hike through the nature trails, stroll through the botanical garden and watch the birds and butterflies surround you. There is an outdoor amphitheater and primitive camping for families or group events. Shelters can be reserved for birthday parties or picnics online.
Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park
- This regional park covers over 8,300 acres of land and is a cooperative venture between the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Pasco County Parks and Recreation. The park consists of a kiosk, open space, camping area, horse corral and equestrian trail, nature and multi-purpose trails, day use area, shelters and pavilions, playgrounds, horseshoe and volleyball courts. The birding trail was designated by the Audubon Society and 177 species of birds have been viewed.