Named after a natural stream flowing through its northeastern corner, Bullfrog Creek Wildlife and Environmental Area is a haven for endangered species.
Acquired by Hillsborough County under the FWC Mitigation Park Program, the property protects over 800 acres of natural land actively managed by FWC.
Bullfrog CreekPublic access is limited to foot traffic only, and visitors are encouraged to explore several miles of unmarked trails, mostly along a set of access roads.
Of these routes, a pair of loops on the eastern side tie together well for a five mile figure eight showcasing many of the natural communities found here.
Shallows in the creekResources
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Overview
Location: Tampa
Length: 5.0 miles
Trailhead: 27.763139, -82.351667
Address: US 301, Wimauma
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Florida Fish & Wildlife
Phone: 863-648-3200
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From Interstate 75 exit 246 at Apollo Beach north of Ruskin, head east on Big Bend Rd for 1.1 miles before making a right onto US 301. Look for the entrance on the right side of the road in 2.1 miles. Follow a dirt entrance road for 0.8 miles to the parking area at the end.
Hike
Passing through a chain link gate at the parking area, walk over to large information panel displaying information about the property, and pick up a paper map.
Begin the hike on a gravel-topped access road heading westward into the woods.
Laurel oaks line the elevated pathway, emerging from a forest floor carpeted with leaf litter and assorted ferns.
Forest roadThe trail descends ever so slightly while approaching the floodplain, reaching Bullfrog Creek at 0.7 miles.
Turn left at a junction immediately after crossing the creek to begin the loops.
Live oaks draped with Spanish moss cast copious amounts of shade on a wide, grassy path tracing alongside the creeks edge.
Creek viewAs the trail begins to move away from the water near the one mile mark, mesic hammock habitat gives way to pine flatwoods.
It’s a sharp contrast in terms of tree cover and shade. The terrain also transitions to soft, bright white sugar sand.
Mesic hammockReaching a crossroads in the middle of the savanna at 1.4 miles, turn left to start a loop in the southeastern portion of the preserve.
Pines become increasingly prevalent while entering a patch of mesic flatwoods where the trail takes a sharp turn southward.
Trace alongside cleared areas at the edge of the property.
Open pine flatwoodsTurning back north, the path traverses a tiny ridge covered in diminutive oaks before returning to the crossroads at 3.2 miles.
Follow the road westward as it cuts across a curious xeric hammock of gnarled oaks and sand pines.
Xeric hammockIn a quarter mile, the trail dips into a narrow bottomland forest that may be wet certain times of the year.
On the other side, a distinct contour of the land can be seen across the pine prairie.
Turn right at 3.8 miles, meandering northward to the sound of heavy traffic on I-75 for another quarter mile to the north road.
Turn east. Continue straight for another mile back to the trailhead.
Seasonally wet crossingTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Bullfrog Creek WEA
Nearby Adventures
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