Guided six-mile hike through Hillsborough River State Park happens this weekend

Hike It Florida is an independent group.

By Ray Roa on Wed, Jan 3, 2024 at 10:50 am

Photo via Steven/Adobe

Hillsborough River State Park

There are still three months left in the Hillsborough Hiking Spree, and an independent group leads an early morning, six-mile romp through Hillsborough River State Park this weekend.

The backcountry trail with uneven terrain and narrow paths passes under oak canopies and past the park’s flatlands and dry prairie. Hike It Florida says its guide will also share information on local flora and fauna along the way. Pre-registration is required, and park admission $4-$6 is not included.

More information on Hike It Florida’s Hillsborough River State Park Morning Hike happening Saturday, Jan. 6 at Hillsborough River State Park is available via @Hikeitflorida on Facebook.

Slideshow

20 beautiful hikes in Tampa Bay everyone should explore

Morris Bridge Park 13330 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa Running along the Hillsborough River, hikers are often able to spot alligators, turtles and hawks at Morris Bridge Park. Theres a 0.75-mile shell trail on the southern end of the park and a 0.25-mile boardwalk that goes around an island on the north side of the park. Morris Bridge Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset and costs $2 for admission. Photo by Colin Wolf

Eureka Springs State Park 6400 Eureka Springs Road, Tampa The parks Peaceful Paths Trail is only 0.75-miles long and takes visitors through a floodplain forest of maples, cypresses and tupelo. The park is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, the park is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission costs $2 per vehicle. Photo via Eureka Springs Conservation Park website

Osprey Trail at Honeymoon Island #1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin Take a stroll through roughly 2.5 miles of a slash pine trail at Honeymoon Islands Osprey Trail. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset. If youre in a car with up to 7 other friends, admission will set you back $8. Alternatively, you only have to pay $4 if you drive there by yourself, or $2 if you walk or bike to the park. Other than ospreys, visitors might come across gopher tortoises and armadillos. Photo via Honeymoon Island website

Lettuce Lake Park 6920 East Fletcher Ave., Tampa Regardless of whether youre in your salad days, you can still enjoy a hike at Lettuce Lake Park. The Limkin Loop trail is roughly 1.7 miles long, including a 3,500-foot boardwalk, and has an extra .05 mile extension. Admission to the hardwood swamp forest, hardwood hammocks and pine flatwoods will set you back $2 per vehicle. Keep an eye out of gators. Photo by Colin Wolf

Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve 3839 Gulf City Road, Ruskin As horrifying as the name may sound, most folks believe the bay is named after the horseshoe crabs that Spanish explorers related to cockroaches. There are two loops at Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve; the red loop, which is 0.5-miles long, and the blue loop, which is 1.2-miles long. The majority of the park, about 500 acres, is a mangrove swamp. The preserve is open from 8 a.m. until sunset, and is free to visit. Photo via Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve / Florida State Parks

Balm Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve 15102 County Road 672, Wimauma Although this park is know for its mountain biking trails, it also offers visitors a 9.2-mile loop to hike through Florida scrub. Visitors might catch a glimpse of Florida scrub-jays, indigo snakes or gopher tortoises. The park is open from sunrise to sunset and is free to visit. Photo via Google Maps

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About The Author

Ray Roa

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief in August 2019. Past work can be seen at Suburban Apologist, Tampa Bay Times, Consequence of Sound and The...

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