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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Lengthy boardwalk heading towards mangrove flats

John R. Bonner Nature Park

A hidden gem surrounded by neighborhoods, John R. Bonner Nature Park offers excellent birding opportunities along short loop trails and a scenic boardwalk.

Largo      ( 27.888781, -82.838513 )      0.6 miles

John R. Bonner Nature Park is a small, yet charming park with a lot to offer.

In addition to a set of easy loop trails and a boardwalk, this green space has a fire pit, playground, and a kayak launch.

As part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, birders may have opportunities to see an array of birds in the wooded areas, and along the waterway.

Paved trail winding through Florida woods Paved trail winding an oak and palm hammock


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

50 Hikes in Central Florida Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover The Hiking Trails of Floridas National Forests Parks Preserves book cover Hiking the Gulf Coast book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Largo
Length: 0.6 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.888781, -82.838513
Address: 14444 143rd St N, Largo
Fees: Free
Restrooms: Yes
Land manager: City of Largo
Phone: 727-518-3047

Open 8:00 AM -7:30 PM

Bridge along trail in tropical setting


Directions

 
From the intersection of SR 19 ALT and SR 60 in Clearwater, head south on SR 19 ALT for 3 miles, before turning right onto W Bay Dr. In 1.8 miles, make a left onto Indian Rocks Rd. Continue for 2.3 miles, then turn right onto Valentine Trail. In 0.3 mile, turn right onto 143rd St, and the entrance to the pack is at the end of the road in about 250 feet.

Hike

From the parking area, head south towards a grassy field featuring a large fire pit available for rental to small parties.

Continue along the sidewalk, passing a small pond surrounded by palms, one of which extends over the water with a bat house attached near the top.

Pond with boardwalk in distance Palm pond


In a short distance, turn right as the path splits, skirting an edge of the pond before entering the woods.

Shade is abundant while the trail weaves through a tropical landscape of cabbage palms, and occasional benches offer spots to take a rest.

Bench along paved path in Florida woods Trailside bench


Ferns line the pathway alongside beautyberry bushes covered with velvety leaves and clusters of shiny purple berries.

Reaching 0.2 mile, follow a crushed gravel trail to the right as it leads across the entrance road towards a loop to the east.

beautyberry bush splayed over a paved path Beautyberries


The scenery and terrain changes quickly, with winding branches of large oaks extending over a sandy pathway.

Turn left to start the loop, descending slightly while rounding a corner lined with attractive greenery.

Woodland path lined with snake plants Gravel pathway


Halfway around the loop, the trail crosses a sturdy wooden bridge over a small bubbling creek.

Winding through a jungle of lush foliage, the pathway crosses the creek once more before reaching the road again.

Wooden bridge traversing creek Creek crossing


Continuing across the pavement, take an immediate right to head back towards the coast.

Before the second loop concludes, the trail passes an impressive strangler fig wrapped around a cabbage palm.

Strangler fig  tree adjoining paved path Strangler fig


At the parking area, a long boardwalk to the west provides access to the Intracoastal Waterway.

Sitting high above the tidal marshes, this impressive walkway leads to an observation deck, then out to the water though a forest of mangroves.

Zigzagging boardwalk over mud flats Boardwalk to the Intracoastal


A panoramic view awaits as the boardwalk ends at a covered overlook complete with benches for quiet reflection as water laps the platform and nearby trees.

Birds navigate through the mangroves and soar in the distance, circling over a small island in the center of the waterway.

Covered observation deck on water Waterway overlook


Trail Map

John Bonner Park Trail Map


Explore More!

Video

A virtual walk at John Bonner Nature Park


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Boardwalk framed by live oaks and saw palmetto

George McGough Nature Park

Introduce the kids to nature at George McGough Nature Park in Largo, where they can feed turtles, watch hawks, and bound along a bouncy accessible trail through a coastal forest.

Wetlands with water lilies on open water

Eagle Lake Park

Now an urban forest in the heart of Pinellas County, Eagle Lake Park is the legacy of the Taylor family, early citrus growers who helped to found Largo

Florida Botanical Gardens

Florida Botanical Gardens

Walk through the garden gates into a wonderland of sensory stimulation. With nearly 180 acres in the heart of Largo, the Florida Botanical Gardens is a place for peaceful immersion.

Paved path between pines

Walsingham Park

An accessible network of paved trails circles Walsingham Lake, offering a variety of views of open water and forested woodlands along an easy walk.

Official Website

Category: Central Florida, City Parks, Hikes, Launch Points, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, Paddling, Parks, TrailsTag: Accessible, Best Birding, Birding, Boardwalks, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Family-Friendly, Largo, Playgrounds, St. Petersburg

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Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Boardwalk framed by live oaks and saw palmetto

George McGough Nature Park

George McGough Nature Park
Leaning sand pines in scrub

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Balm Boyette Nature Preserve
Dock edged by mangroves

Maximo Park

Maximo Park
Sandy hiking trail under pines

Stephen J. Wortham Park

Stephen J. Wortham Park

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