Resources
Resources for exploring the area
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.
Exploring Brandon
Created during the huge influx of residents that came along with two major air bases during World War II, Brandon is a large suburb of Tampa, heavily populated and commercial.
But roam a little east along the Alafia River basin or south towards Riverview, and you’ll find public lands with pleasant hiking and biking trails.
Trails and Parks around Brandon
Alafia River Corridor North Looping through a former phosphate mine north of the Alafia River, this hike showcases the resilience of nature as the forest reclaims the land. 
Alafia River Corridor South With a vast network of trails to choose from, the southern side of the Alafia River Corridor provides multiple routes for hiking and horseback riding.
Alafia River North Trails Once the site of a large phosphate mining operation, the North Trails at Alafia River State Park offer an easy, quiet hike across slightly undulating terrain. 
Alafia River State Park Alafia River State Park lets you launch on a Florida downhill while mountain biking the rugged terrain of a reforested open pit mine. 
Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park Straddling the confluence of the North and South Prong of the Alafia River, Alderman's Ford Conservation Park provides immersion into lush riverine forests.
Alderman’s Ford Preserve Discover a surprising play of whitewater across the Alafia River where the river churns as it winds through a deeply eroded channel.
Apollo Beach Nature Preserve With its natural waterfront on Tampa Bay, Apollo Beach Nature Preserve is a perfect place for birders, not beachgoers, a place to launch a kayak and scan the skies for osprey.
Balm Boyette Nature Preserve Open to foot traffic only, the western portion of Balm Boyette Nature Preserve provides a glimpse of endangered scrub ecosystems along a two-mile loop trail. 
Bell Creek Nature Preserve Weaving through scrubby habitats on an oasis of natural land surrounded by development, Bell Creek Nature Preserve provides a window to Florida’s vanishing landscapes. 
E.G. Simmons Park E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin offers a campground along with its beaches and mazy mangrove-lined waterways for paddlers and anglers along Tampa Bay.
Edward Medard Conservation Park Meandering over hilly terrain past numerous scenic overlooks, the Singing Bluffs Trail at Edward Medard Conservation Park provides great birding among documented nesting bird colonies.
Eureka Springs Eureka Springs Park includes what remains of a tropical botanical garden established in 1938 around springs that fed a lush floodplain forest along Six Mile Creek
Fishhawk Creek Preserve North Hike rolling sandhills and rugged terrain sloping towards scenic views of the Alafia River and Little Fishhawk Creek near Lithia Springs.
Fishhawk Creek Preserve South An easy-going 2.8-mile loop trail explores the south tract of Fishhawk Creek Preserve providing a glimpse of a few natural and endangered Florida habitats.
Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve Protecting uplands immediately east of Tampa Bay, Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve immerses hikers within oak scrub habitat along a sandy loop trail.
Golden Aster Scrub Western Loop Creating a 5.2 mile loop on the west side of Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve, the Red and Yellow Trails reveal a diversity of habitats.
Jeanie and Pete Johnson Nature Preserve Showcasing an impressive variety of habitats within a relatively small preserve, a mile long loop trail provides exceptional natural scenery along an easy, well-maintained path.
Little Manatee River Corridor Nature Preserve In the Little Manatee River watershed, the 579 Trailhead offers access to a pair of loop trails across palmetto prairies and shady oak hammocks.
Little Manatee River State Park With sandy shores around every bend and a canopy of trees overhead, Little Manatee River State Park provides a place for a pretty paddling trip for families.
Little Manatee River Trail Scenery, rugged landscape, and botanical diversity are all important factors for a great Florida hike. You'll find that on the 6.5-mile Little Manatee River Hiking Trail, one of our long-time favorites. 
Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve An island of high ground in the Alafia River basin, Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve protects more than 400 acres of Florida scrub habitat south of Riverview
Stephen J. Wortham Park Explore a beautiful green space tucked into the Tampa metro area, offering stunning natural landscapes and opportunities to spot native wildlife. 
Triple Creek Nature Preserve Tying together adjacent Triple Creek and Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve, this nearly 5-mile hike loops through restored upland habitats. Alafia River Corridor North Looping through a former phosphate mine north of the Alafia River, this hike showcases the resilience of nature as the forest reclaims the land. Alafia River Corridor South With a vast network of trails to choose from, the southern side of the Alafia River Corridor provides multiple routes for hiking and horseback riding. Alafia River North Trails Once the site of a large phosphate mining operation, the North Trails at Alafia River State Park offer an easy, quiet hike across slightly undulating terrain. Alafia River State Park Alafia River State Park lets you launch on a Florida downhill while mountain biking the rugged terrain of a reforested open pit mine. Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park Straddling the confluence of the North and South Prong of the Alafia River, Alderman's Ford Conservation Park provides immersion into lush riverine forests. Alderman’s Ford Preserve Discover a surprising play of whitewater across the Alafia River where the river churns as it winds through a deeply eroded channel. Apollo Beach Nature Preserve With its natural waterfront on Tampa Bay, Apollo Beach Nature Preserve is a perfect place for birders, not beachgoers, a place to launch a kayak and scan the skies for osprey. Balm Boyette Nature Preserve Open to foot traffic only, the western portion of Balm Boyette Nature Preserve provides a glimpse of endangered scrub ecosystems along a two-mile loop trail. Bell Creek Nature Preserve Weaving through scrubby habitats on an oasis of natural land surrounded by development, Bell Creek Nature Preserve provides a window to Florida’s vanishing landscapes. E.G. Simmons Park E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin offers a campground along with its beaches and mazy mangrove-lined waterways for paddlers and anglers along Tampa Bay. Edward Medard Conservation Park Meandering over hilly terrain past numerous scenic overlooks, the Singing Bluffs Trail at Edward Medard Conservation Park provides great birding among documented nesting bird colonies. Eureka Springs Eureka Springs Park includes what remains of a tropical botanical garden established in 1938 around springs that fed a lush floodplain forest along Six Mile Creek Fishhawk Creek Preserve North Hike rolling sandhills and rugged terrain sloping towards scenic views of the Alafia River and Little Fishhawk Creek near Lithia Springs. Fishhawk Creek Preserve South An easy-going 2.8-mile loop trail explores the south tract of Fishhawk Creek Preserve providing a glimpse of a few natural and endangered Florida habitats. Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve Protecting uplands immediately east of Tampa Bay, Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve immerses hikers within oak scrub habitat along a sandy loop trail. Golden Aster Scrub Western Loop Creating a 5.2 mile loop on the west side of Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve, the Red and Yellow Trails reveal a diversity of habitats. Jeanie and Pete Johnson Nature Preserve Showcasing an impressive variety of habitats within a relatively small preserve, a mile long loop trail provides exceptional natural scenery along an easy, well-maintained path. Little Manatee River Corridor Nature Preserve In the Little Manatee River watershed, the 579 Trailhead offers access to a pair of loop trails across palmetto prairies and shady oak hammocks. Little Manatee River State Park With sandy shores around every bend and a canopy of trees overhead, Little Manatee River State Park provides a place for a pretty paddling trip for families. Little Manatee River Trail Scenery, rugged landscape, and botanical diversity are all important factors for a great Florida hike. You'll find that on the 6.5-mile Little Manatee River Hiking Trail, one of our long-time favorites. Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve An island of high ground in the Alafia River basin, Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve protects more than 400 acres of Florida scrub habitat south of Riverview Stephen J. Wortham Park Explore a beautiful green space tucked into the Tampa metro area, offering stunning natural landscapes and opportunities to spot native wildlife. Triple Creek Nature Preserve Tying together adjacent Triple Creek and Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve, this nearly 5-mile hike loops through restored upland habitats.