Florida Hikes

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Dried up spring with cypress knees

Eureka Springs

History and horticulture blend within natural wetland habitats at a charming botanical garden established in 1938 around springs that once fed a lush floodplain forest outside Tampa.

Tampa (28.006667, -82.343833)   0.6 miles  

Founded by amateur botanist Albert Greenburg in 1938, Eureka Springs was built to showcase unusual plants he discovered while traveling the world.

Greenburg realized Tampa’s temperate climate and the clear spring could be used to raise fish for the aquarium industry.

Duckweed covered spring with vegetation Small spring along the boardwalk

He established Florida’s first tropical fish farm on the property.

The botanical gardens once sat within the lush floodplain of Six Mile Creek. Greenburg donated the land to Hillsborough County in 1967.

Boardwalk in floodplain A boardwalk crosses the floodplain

Around the same time, the nearby Tampa Bypass Canal was constructed, which dramatically changed the creek and local hydrology. It caused the spring to dry up.

Accessible paved and crushed shell pathways wind throughout the park, exploring the gardens and adjacent natural wetlands on a robust boardwalk loop.

Covered bridge in landscaped setting Covered bridge in the gardens

Resources

Resources for exploring the area
Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover 50 Hikes in Central Florida Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover Paddlers Guide Florida
 
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Overview

Location: Tampa
Length: 0.6 mile
Trailhead: 28.006667, -82.343833
Address: 6400 Eureka Springs Rd, Tampa
Fees: $2 per vehicle
Restrooms: At the entrance
Land manager: Hillsborough County
Phone: 813-744-5536

Open 8 AM – 6 PM. Leashed dogs welcome. Bicycles not permitted.

Directions


 
From the junction of US 301 and Interstate 4 east of Tampa, head north on US 301 N for 0.2 mile before turning right onto E Sligh Ave. In 0.6 mile, make a right onto Eureka Springs Rd, continuing for 1.2 miles, where the park entrance will be on the left side of the road.

Hike

At the entrance, stop by an electronic kiosk to pay the entrance fee and head through a breezeway into the gardens.

A concrete sidewalk curves around a fountain guarded by tall cypress trees before leading across a covered bridge.

Cypresses along a stream with building behind them Cypresses near the entrance

Across the bridge, a crushed shell pathway leads to the left, following alongside a fern-filled canal and memorial to past gardeners who tended the grounds.

Tropical palms line the path alongside azalea bushes that produce showy blooms in early spring.

Shell path with palm leaning over it Crushed shell pathway

Returning to the sidewalk in a tenth of a mile, follow the winding walkway as it meanders through well-manicured gardens.

Pass under heavy oak limbs covered with colorful bromeliads.

The path continues around a grassy lawn with a pergola and rose garden at the center, before entering a covered area next to the greenhouse.

Garden walkways under large oaks Winding through the gardens

A stunning collection of orchids and shade-loving plants are on display as the sidewalk weaves through this section protected from direct sunlight.

Water trickles down a rocky waterfall, landing in a small koi pond lined with broad-leaved tropical foliage.

Orchids hanging from rafters of shaded walkway Orchids on display

Exiting the greenhouse area, look for a prominent sign indicating the direction of the boardwalk.

The sidewalk traces an edge of a small stream, curving around to a wide wooden walkway elevated above a sea of verdant vegetation.

Wooden boardwalk in floodplain forest Wetland boardwalk

Follow the boardwalk as it leads through a swampy forest of cypress, black gum, maples, and cabbage palms, passing a small spring covered with duckweed.

Where the boardwalk ends, a crushed shell path circles around the bowl of Eureka Spring before returning to the entrance

Nearly dry spring pool with cypress knees surrounding Eureka Spring

Trail Map

Eureka Springs Trail Map

Explore More!

Video

Hiking Eureka Springs Conservation Park

Nearby Adventures

Bridge leading over Hillsborough River to boardwalk loop Morris Bridge Park While the gentle loop boardwalk at Morris Bridge Park is a major reason to stop and savor the Hillsborough River, the park also provides cyclists a trailhead to off-road adventure
Lettuce Lake Park Lettuce Lake Park At the north edge of Tampa, Lettuce Lake Park protects 240 acres along the Hillsborough River, with a loop trail and boardwalk that shows off cypress swamps and uplands.
Cyclist on paved Flatwoods Loop Flatwoods Park In addition to the 6.9 mile paved bike path loop at its core, Flatwoods Park at Lower Hillsborough Wilderness provides many different routes for outdoor exploration.
Trout Creek Park Nature Trail Trout Creek Park Under a tight-knit canopy of live oaks, Trout Creek Park provides a pleasant place for a family picnic and a nature walk along the floodplain of the Hillsborough River.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Chris Stevens
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