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

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Sandy hiking trail under pines

Stephen J. Wortham Park

Explore a beautiful green space tucked into the Tampa metro area, offering stunning natural landscapes and opportunities to spot native wildlife.

Riverview      ( 27.821673, -82.287574 )      1.3 miles

Protecting over a hundred acres of land, Stephen J. Wortham Park provides a variety of options for family-friendly outdoor recreation.

The park features a lake that is managed by the state as a fish management area. A popular fishing dock, picnic area, and playground are situated lakeside.

Their wooded nature trail is also an access point to a larger trail system in neighboring Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve.

Tall pine along palmetto-lined trail Along the loop hike at Stephen J. Worthham Park


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

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Riverview
Length: 1.3 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.824099, -82.287759
Address: 12108 Rhodine Rd, Riverview
Fees: Free
Restrooms: Yes, at the trailhead.
Land manager: Hillsborough County
Phone: 813-744-5978

Open Sunrise to Sunset. Dogs allowed on a leash.

Pine rising over sand trail


Directions

 
From the interchage off Interstate 75 for Gibsonton Dr in Riverview, head northeast on Gibsonton Dr for 1 mile, continuing straight across US 301, where it becomes Boyette Rd. In .8 miles, turn right onto Balm Riverview Rd. Continue straight for 2.5 miles, before turning left onto Rhodine Rd. The driveway to the park is on the left in .6 mile. The trailhead is located at the end of the road.

Hike

The main drive ends at a turnaround, where a green-topped post marks the beginning of the Bluestem Trail.

Follow a paved pathway leading into the forest for a tenth of a mile before reaching a sturdy, though sometimes slippery wooden bridge.

Bridge in a hardwood hammock Bridge over wetland


Crossing the wooden walkway, green blazes guide the way along a narrow sandy trail lined with clusters of thin grasses.

Pine and oak trees dot a landscape of short shrubby vegetation covered with grape, catbrier, and mimosa vines.

pink powderpuff bloom on a mimosa Mimosa in bloom


An impressively diverse variety of native plants flank the trail on both sides, flowering at different times throughout the year.

Florida pennyroyal and dwarf huckleberries bloom in the spring, followed by the creamy white petals on netted pawpaws.

The fall season brings splashes of yellow and purple blossoms of goldenrod and blazing stars.

Spike of yellow goldenrod nodding along a trail Goldenrod in bloom


This abundance of greenery attracts a multitude of wildlife, as several species of butterfly drift alongside the path, while countless birds chatter in the bushes and trees.

Gopher tortoises are commonly seen in the morning or late afternoon moseying down a side of the trail, munching on various grasses.

Gray gopher tortoise Grazing gopher tortoise


Shade comes and goes as the trail navigates a curious blend of habitats, with elements of hammocks, flatwoods, scrub, and sandhills.

Continue straight at 0.2 mile, staying on the green blazed loop, and then stay to the left at 0.3 mile, at an intersection with the red trail leading into Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve.

Moss-draped live oaks forming a tunnel over trail Oak hammock


Heading westward, the landscape becomes progressively drier, as water oak and longleaf pine give way to silk bay, sand pine.

Goldenasters sport vibrant yellow flowers late in the year. The pathway transitions to stark white sugar sand as trail markers become far less frequent.

It helps to have an aerial map on hand to navigate the far side of the loop as it curves back towards the east.

Goldenaster in bloom Goldenaster


The crisscrossing side trails can be tricky, although they allow for further exploration and are generally well-defined.

Green blazes indicate the loop trail leading towards an intersection with the main trail at 1.1 miles.

Turning right at the end of the loop, the trailhead is in another 0.2 mile, after crossing the bridge once again.

Mossy oaks and trail Oak with green blaze


Trail Map

Stephen J. Wortham Park Trail Map


Explore More!

Video

A virtual walk in the woods at Stephen J. Wortham Park


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Footpath in a sand pine scrub

Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve

An island of high ground in the Alafia River basin, Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve protects more than 400 acres of Florida scrub habitat south of Riverview

Leaf-strewn broad path in pine forest

Fishhawk Creek Preserve South

An easy-going 2.8-mile loop trail explores the south tract of Fishhawk Creek Preserve providing a glimpse of a few natural and endangered Florida habitats.

Pieces of wood in a creek

Triple Creek Nature Preserve

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

Paved path in restoration area

Pebble Park

Nestled alongside the Alafia River in Riverview, Pebble Park is a family-friendly natural area offering quiet shaded trails and approachable open spaces.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Central Florida, County Parks, Day Hikes, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, Parks, TrailsTag: Brandon, Dog-friendly, Family-Friendly, Fishing, Picnic, Playgrounds, Riverview, Tampa, Wildflowers

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Line of pines with shrubs and a grassy trail foreground

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Pasture Reserve
Boardwalk looping along lakeshore as seen from above

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Waterway flowing through lush forest with path beyond

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Florida rosemary growing in bright white sand

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