Kapok Park

Since we first visited the boardwalks and paved paths of Kapok Park, restoration of the Alligator Creek basin has created a wildlife haven.

Planted cypress now line the creek like a slough; others fill out cypress domes. Wading birds forage the marshy edges.

The rewilded shores of Alligator Creek

Thanks to the Ream Wilson Trail, there are several approaches to the park.

We began from adjoining Cliff Stephens Park at their disc golf parking off Fairwood Ave.

Entry point at Cliff Stephens Park

If this lot is full, use the official trailhead at 2950 Glen Oak Ave N, Clearwater, in a subdivision off busy McMullen-Booth Rd.

Alternatively, park at Eddie C. Moore Park Complex 5-7 and walk in from the south on the Ream Wilson Trail.

Junction of trails with Ream Wilson sign

Connectivity to the Ream Wilson Trail from Moore Park

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

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

Overview

Location: Clearwater
Length: 1.1 miles
Trailhead: 27.974529, -82.720150
Address: 919 Fairwood Ave, Clearwater
Fees: Free
Restroom: At the trailhead
Land Manager: City of Clearwater
Phone: 727-562-4800

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome; pick up after your pet.

Directions

From SR 60 (Courtney Campbell Causeway) in Clearwater, follow McMullen Booth Rd north a half mile to a left from the leftmost lane at Drew St. Continue a mile to Fairwood Ave. After 0.6 mile, turn in at the parking area on the right before the railroad tracks. It’s sometimes busy with disc golfers. If it’s full, try Complex 5-7 at Eddie C. Moore Park along Drew St. The trailhead on the east side of the park is at the west end of Glen Oak Ave in a neighborhood west of McMullen Booth Rd. Access it via Terrace View Ln, 0.4 mile north of the Drew St light.

Hike

At the Cliff Stephens Park entrance, a map shows the route next to a sign pointing towards Kapok Park.

The broad asphalt bike path leads through a manicured space for the adjoining disc golf under a stand of massive live oaks.

Paved path east past disc golf

Alligator Creek soon shimmers beyond the vegetation, which parts to reveal a wide ditch with steep sides and condos on its opposite bluff.

Make a right at the junction to cross a bridge over the creek. The basin looks more natural from this lower perspective.

Bridge over creek

Parallel it on the paved path to the next junction. Veer left away from the Ream Wilson Trail at 0.4 miles, joining a boardwalk.

A long spur boardwalk on the left extends over the creek. From the observation deck at its end, the difference in this portion of Alligator Creek is striking.

Alligator Creek from the observation deck

By the condos, it looked like a ditch. Here, the cypress-lined shores are a haven for birds, particularly herons and egrets.

Return to the main boardwalk to continue the loop along a marsh. Red maples, sweetgum, and wax myrtle frame the creek.

Boardwalk to second bridge

More views open up as the boardwalk bridges the creek. Rafts of lilies float across a surface reflecting the cypresses.

The boardwalk ends at a grassy clearing with many large live oaks. This was where the trailer park once stood.

View from boardwalk of cypress lined creek

Alligator Creek

A paved path resumes, crossing a bridge over a canal shaded by overhanging oaks.

More grand live oaks shade the green space beyond. Reaching another boardwalk, jog through a restored cypress dome.

Long wetland boardwalk

Open water shimmers beyond the marshy edges of this restored wetland, attracting waterfowl.

At 0.7 miles, the path divides at a junction. To the right it ends within 0.2 miles at the park’s eastern trailhead.

Junction

Turn left to complete the circle through Kapok Park, passing a bench overlooking the creek.

Meeting the junction with the bridge by the condos, continue straight ahead. At 1.1 miles, finish the hike at Cliff Stephens Park.

Returning to Cliff Stephens Park

Trail Map

Explore More!

Video

A hike around Kapok Park

Slideshow

See our photos from Kapok Park

Nearby Adventures

Moccasin Lake Nature Park Savor a sliver of native habitats preserved in the heart of busy Clearwater under the cloak of a shady forest when you visit Moccasin Lake Nature Park and its environmental education center.

Safety Harbor Waterfront Park Loop a community green space in front of a historic hotel on Tampa Bay using a coastal boardwalk through a mangrove forest and the eastern end of the Ream Wilson Trail.

Pinellas Trail A paved ribbon stretching the length of Pinellas County from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs, the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail provides nearly 38 miles of low-stress cruising.