Rocky Creek Trails Nature Preserve is relatively small, protecting 16 acres of land surrounded by neighborhoods.
The parking area provides excellent access to the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, a 14-mile paved trail that is popular with cyclists and joggers.
The preserve features a half mile trail with two access points, and a quaint wooden bridge over its namesake creek.
Bridge over Rocky CreekResources
Resources for exploring the area
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Overview
Location: Tampa
Length: 0.5 miles linear, 1-mile round trip.
Trailhead: 28.070059, -82.569623
Address: 7415 Manhattan Drive, Tampa, FL 33625
Fees: $2 per vehicle
Restrooms: No
Land manager: Hillsborough County
Phone: 813-672-7876
Open Sunrise – Sunset. Dogs are allowed on a leash.
Directions
From Interstate 275, head west on SR 580 for 3 miles before continuing straight onto CR 587. In 4.8 miles, turn right onto Manhattan Dr. The parking area will be on the right in about 260 feet.
Hike
If parking at the trailhead, be sure to pay at the electronic iron ranger before beginning the hike.
At the northwest end of the lot, an informational kiosk stands next to a wide path leading into the woods.
Picnic area at the trailheadFollow yellow blazes down the fern-lined trail as it passes under a tunnel of arching tree limbs.
The pine straw covered pathway becomes sandier, then narrows while winding through an open canopy of tall oaks.
Yellow blazed oakA small maple stands alongside the trail while approaching the bridge over Rocky Creek.
The sturdy wooden structure crosses over a thin ribbon of water flowing to the south, as an impressive cypress tree stands on the bank.
Rocky Creek BridgeYellow topped posts marked with arrows continue to lead the way as the trail meanders alongside clusters of saw palmettos and young magnolia trees.
Red bellied woodpeckers chirp in trees overhead, taking advantage of the small green space to create homes and search for food.
Oaks and cypressTall beautyberry shrubs border the trail as it continues northward.
Grapevines blanket areas of the understory, with occasional thick vines leading up into the canopy of oaks and pines.
BeautyberriesAt a half mile, the trail ends at a gap in the fence. A large sign with a map shows the path in relation to its intersection with the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.
From this point, retrace steps southward to head through the woods back to the parking area.
North entranceTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
A virtual walk in the woods at Rocky Creek Trails
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park
Three short nature trails – the Eagle Trail, the Otter Trail, and the Bobcat Trail – explore different aspects of this conservation park’s ecosystems, including the mangrove-lined estuary
Lake Rogers Park
A 2.4-mile loop trail circling Lake Rogers weaves through oak hammocks, shrubs, pine flatwoods, and scenic vistas along the water’s edge.
Lake Conservation Park
A forested escape north of Tampa, Lake Conservation Park features a network of trails where you can loop nearly four miles around a series of small lakes.
Violet Cury Preserve
Tucked between neighborhoods just north of downtown Tampa, Violet Cury Preserve provides a quiet wooded trail with scenic views of Lake Flynn.