Tampa

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. One of the more popular destinations is the Lower Hillsborough River Wilderness Preserve, with lengthy off-road biking trails.

Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve As the largest natural area in the Tampa Bay region, Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is a major destination for recreation, with seven entrances across 16,000 acres.

Public lands 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.

It connects 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.

For an understanding of historic Ybor City, visit the in-city state park that focuses on the Cuban community that grew around the early cigar trade.

Ybor City Museum State Park In the heart of old Ybor City, Ybor City Museum State Park presents the story of this tight-knit community of cigar workers and their families by immersing you into the past.

Best Parks and Trails in Tampa

As seen on the map above, Tampa and its metro area has an extraordinary number of parks and trails. These are our picks for don’t-miss outdoor destinations. Click on icons on the map to learn more about the rest.

Bell Creek Nature Preserve Weaving through scrubby habitats on an oasis of natural land surrounded by development, Bell Creek Nature Preserve provides a window to Florida’s vanishing landscapes.

Cypress Creek Nature Preserve A short drive from downtown Tampa, Cypress Creek Nature Preserve is an interesting window into a gradient of ecosystems along a tributary of the Hillsborough River.

Fishhawk Creek Preserve North Hike rolling sandhills and rugged terrain sloping towards scenic views of the Alafia River and Little Fishhawk Creek near Lithia Springs.

Flatwoods Park In addition to the 6.9 mile paved bike path loop at its core, Flatwoods Park at Lower Hillsborough Wilderness provides many different routes for outdoor exploration.

Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve Protecting uplands immediately east of Tampa Bay, Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve immerses hikers within oak scrub habitat along a sandy loop trail.

Hillsborough River State Park With footpaths and picnic grounds built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this park delights with miles of scenic trails, a swinging bridge, and the froth of river rapids.

John Chesnut Sr. Park Weaving through floodplain forests and cypress swamps, the boardwalks and trails of John Chesnut Sr. Park add a place to pause for wildlife along a wild shoreline on Lake Tarpon.

Lettuce Lake Park At the north edge of Tampa, Lettuce Lake Park protects 240 acres along the Hillsborough River, with a loop trail and boardwalk that shows off cypress swamps and uplands.

Little Manatee River Trail Scenery, rugged landscape, and botanical diversity are all important for a great Florida hike. You'll find that on this 6.5 mile hike, one of our all-time favorites.

Triple Creek Nature Preserve Tying together adjacent Triple Creek and Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve, this nearly 5-mile hike loops through restored upland habitats.

Recent Articles

Floating in Florida (11/6/2025) Drifting across placid waters, find your bliss with the perfect adventure on Florida's hidden waters, with Lucy Tobias your guide.

Hiking Tampa’s Oak Ridge (2/6/2014) 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.