Florida Hikes

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

Tall cattails around deck overlooking lake

Lake Seminole Park

With a paved trail winding two miles through a shaded pine flatwoods ecosystem, Lake Seminole Park is a green oasis in the suburbia surrounding St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg (27.84520, -82.77650)   2.0 miles  

Lake Seminole Park is a nearby outdoor destination for families in densely urban southern Pinellas County, both accessible and pet-friendly.

Over a dozen covered picnic areas are throughout the park, along with playgrounds and public access to Lake Seminole.

A paved trail offers the option of a one or two mile loop, with benches situated at scenic spots along the way.

Path beneath tall pines Down the pathway under the pines

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 Paddlers Guide Florida
 
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Overview

Location: Seminole
Length: 2 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.84554, -82.77671
Address: 10015 Park Blvd (74th Ave N) Seminole
Fees: Free
Restroom: Yes, in multiple locations
Land manager: Pinellas County
Phone: 727-549-6156

Open 7 am – 8:30 pm. Leashed dogs welcome. Cyclists permitted. Follow posted speeds.

Restrooms closed Monday – Friday, open weekends and holidays.

Directions


 
From Interstate 275, head west on FL-694 E/Gandy Blvd for 7.1 miles. The park entrance will be on the right.

Hike

The loop trails are directional, due to the potential for high traffic and their multi-use nature.

Less than 100 feet from the surrounding parking areas, the beginning of the trail is marked with a sign and a “starting line”.

Starting line marked on pavement Starting line

Take note of the signs that indicate to keep to the right except when passing.

Heading in a clockwise direction, the path first heads north past several benches that border a parking area to the west.

After about a tenth of a mile, the walkway enters the woods.

Paved path into the woods Into the woods

The path is wide, level, and very accessible by foot or wheel. Shortly after entering the woods, a small pond can be seen to the right.

A swinging bench and covered pavilion are situated next to the water, offering a spot to relax and enjoy the view.

Swinging bench overlooks pond Swinging bench

As the trail continues north, the plant life becomes denser and more varied.

Saw palmetto, cabbage palms, Spanish moss draped oaks, and tall pines border the trail on both sides. In some of the wetter areas, swamp lilies spring up from a sea of ferns.

Swamp lily blossom Swamp lily

At 0.4 miles, a sign indicates a turn-around point for the one mile loop. A drinking fountain with an attached dog bowl is located nearby.

Continue straight to complete the two mile loop or turn right to head back to the parking area.

Sign with directions of how to follow paved path Sign at loop junction

The trail winds ever so slightly, lined with a thick carpet of pine needles and ferns.

Just after a half mile from the start, a short boardwalk to the left ends at an observation deck overlooking the lake.

Observation deck overlooks lake Boardwalk to Lake Seminole overlook

Tracing the boardwalk back to the main trail, turn left to resume the loop. Near the one-mile mark, the landscape becomes sandier and more xeric, with noticeably less vegetation.

The path curves to the east, then back south towards the beginning. Benches sit among bushes and trees covered in grapevines.

Bench in shade Bench in the upland forest

Native vegetation quickly becomes thick again, bordered by laurel oaks, dwarf cabbage palms, beautyberry, and red maples.

The trail remains mostly shaded, with benches to rest on throughout.

Trail winding through forest Shaded path

At 1.7 miles, the pond from the beginning of the hike can be seen to the right.

Continue for another quarter mile, then stay right at a T to complete the loop.

Paved path under young pines Along the walkway

Trail Map

Lake Seminole Park Trail Map

Explore More!

Video

A walk through Lake Seminole Park

Nearby Adventures

Boardwalk at Clam Bayou Clam Bayou Nature Preserve Along an environmentally significant estuary of Boca Ciega Bay, Clam Bayou Nature Preserve offers well-established trails with several overlooks and a kayak launch
Boca Ciega Millenium Park Boca Ciega Millennium Park With its highlight an observation tower providing you a sweeping view of Boca Ciega Bay, Boca Ciega Millenium Park is a popular family-friendly getaway in Pinellas County.
Mosaics in a garden niche 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.
Footpath leading through ferns Sawgrass Lake Park Explore a maple swamp and an oak hammock on a pair of family-friendly loops along boardwalks and footpaths that lead to a tower on Sawgrass Lake.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Chris Stevens
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