A trail on the Hillsborough River Park Campground on March 5, 2023. Credit: Photo by Ray Roa

Whether you’re looking for alligators or in search of some beauty, Hillsborough County is home to more than 300 miles of marked hiking trails—and local officials want residents to spend the cooler calendar months walking on them.

“For those who have never experienced one of these sites, just try it one time and see if you like it, and I guarantee you’ll be hooked,” Forest Turbiville, told WMNF-Tampa 88.5-FM public affairs program “The Skinny.”

For extra motivation, the county has organized a formal “hiking spree,” which runs from Nov. 1-March 31.

The trail list for the Hillsborough County Hiking Spree, which is in its eighth year, includes 25 trails at 22 of the county’s parks and preserves. Anyone who completes eight of the hikes on the spree agenda can earn either a limited-edition patch, walking stick medallion, or pet bandana.

Turbiville, Director of Conservation & Environmental Lands Management for Hillsborough County, said that approximately 2,000 people participated in the hiking spree’s 2022-2023 edition.

Hikes can set up their spree via hillsboroughcounty.org, and completion of the trails happens via the honor system.
An official Hillsborough County Hiking Spree kickoff party happens on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Edward Medard Conservation Park in Plant City. There’s an additional guided, Pokemon Go-centric, hike on Saturday, Nov. 18 at the J.C. Handly Vita Trail in Brandon. There’s no cover for either event, but registration is required.

Turbiville told WMNF that he’s partial to the Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve, which covers 1,800 acres near Plant City. Blackwater Creek cuts directly through the pine flatwood at the preserve. There’s plenty of non-paved trails at Blackwater, and over almost 30 years visiting the preserve, Turbiville has experienced countless moments of actually getting to find quiet and hear nature. He always takes a few minutes to just sit on the ground and look up and around.

“It’s almost like you’re transported into another world while you’re out there,” Turbiville added. “And that’s one of the things I love about our program is that we’ve been able to protect some of the best remaining natural sites in Hillsborough County. And you can find this experience at really any one of our conservation parks or preserves.”