In Florida, water is an ever-present part of our lives. A visit to the Rainbow River yesterday brought back memories of the past and concerns for the future of Florida’s waters.
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is one of Florida's largest landforms, a large shallow bay with many urban communities along its shores, most notably Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
Once a miniature golf course, this two-acre waterfront park just north of the Vinoy in St. Petersburg became the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum, a lush showcase of palms, in 1976.
Robinson Preserve
Farmland turned back to mangrove marshes: that’s Robinson Preserve, with more than 4 miles of hiking on shell and wild pathways along Tampa Bay at Bradenton.
Serenova Preserve
Accessed via a trailhead along SR 52, the 6,533-acre Serenova Tract of Starkey Wilderness Preserve is the “wild space” to the north of J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey. An effort is underway to try to put a road through the preserve, and locals are fighting against it. Here’s what’s going on and how you can help.
Soldier’s Hole Nature Trail
The interpretive Soldier’s Hole Trail at Fort De Soto State Park offers a close look at the three varieties of mangroves that grow in Florida plus some gorgeous views of Bunce’s Pass.
St. Petersburg
Located at the south end of Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg’s gem is the Pinellas Trail, but there are also many hikes that are relatively short as well as paddling opportunities.
Tampa
While Tampa is an urban center along the north shore of Tampa Bay, it has many natural lands protecting its water supply while providing recreational opportunites
Terra Ceia Preserve State Park
Home to a plenitude of wading birds, Terra Ceia Preserve State Park is an aquatic preserve protecting the ragged northern shoreline of Terra Ceia, open for exploration by water.
The new 50 Hikes in Central Florida
We launched a new full-color edition of 50 Hikes in Central Florida at the National Trails Festival in Deland the first weekend of October. Take a peek inside.
Trefoil Trail
The Trefoil Trail is a new trail inside of Cockroach Bay Preserve which showcases pristine Florida ecosystems. Great for birdwatchers and nature lovers.