Exploring Tampa
While Tampa is an urban center along the north shore of Tampa Bay, it has many natural lands protecting the water supply of the region. Some of these are quite massive conservation areas. One of the more popular destinations is the Lower Hillsborough River Wilderness Preserve, with lengthy off-road biking trails and multiple points of entry for hikers, paddlers, and people just coming to the woods to enjoy a picnic. Public lands also cluster along the Little Manatee and Alafia Rivers, which pour into Tampa Bay from the east.
In the city itself, parks are primarily urban green spaces. The Tampa Riverwalk stretches along the Hillsborough River for 2.5 miles downtown, connecting the cruise ship port and the Florida Aquarium to Channelside, a popular mall, as well as the Tampa Bay History Center, Glazer Children’s Museum, and the Tampa Museum of Art. The Bayshore Trail, along the Bayshore Greenway, extends about 5 miles from Columbus Statue Park to Gandy Boulevard, showing off scenic views across Tampa Bay.
Resources
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Articles
Hiking Tampa’s Oak Ridge
The Oak Ridge Tract of Lower Hillsborough River Wilderness Area is a beautiful area for a hike. We joined the Suncoast Chapter of the FTA for an exploration while in the region for a talk
Videos
NEARBY: Brandon, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dade City, Lakeland, Lithia, Plant City, Ruskin, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Zephyrhills | PART OF: Central Florida