What Are The Best Places For Hiking Trails In Tampa?

If you have been stuck inside for the last few months like the rest of us, you are itching time in the great outdoors.

Spending time outside is a great way for you to boost your mood and your health. All you need to know is where to go, right?

The Top Six Tampa Hikes

There are many great places available to hike in the greater Tampa Bay Area. We have picked the best of the best out of all the trails available in the area.

There is a great amount of diversity here, so it will be worth checking out all of them.

1. Bayshore Boulevard

Located right in the heart of downtown Tampa this trail runs along the bay with beautiful views of the ocean and Tampa’s harbor.

Along the trail, several stations with outdoor exercise equipment line the harbor. This trail a great place to get in a quick workout in the heart of the city.

If you are the type of person who likes being outside but outside in the city instead of the country, Tampa has to offer you the best trail.

2. Morris Bridge Bike Trail

A short drive outside of Tampa is the Morris bridge trail that crosses over the Hillsborough River. This trail is perfect for riding mountain bikes and observing wildlife.

You can even bring your pets with you on this trail, just ensure they are kept on a leash while on the trail.

If you are looking for a place where you can get away from
Society and all the hustle and bustle for a little while this place would do perfectly.

3. Lettuce Lake Park

It is located just a short distance away from the university of central Florida. The trail that runs through lettuce lake park takes you along multiple different biomes.

You will get to see the beautiful hardwood swamps for which Florida is famous. You will also get to see some of the hardwood hammocks and pinewood flats biomes. Chances are you’ll see plenty of wildlife too.

With multiple miles of trails and a boardwalk that walks through the swamp, there’s more than enough to keep your entire family busy.

4. Hillsborough County Wilderness Preserve

The Hillsborough county wilderness preserve is over 3000 acres of conserved land. It is vital for resource preservation in the region and has its most biodiversity as well.

Multiple parks within the preserve have camping and hiking options. Equestrian lovers can also find a few trails that are horse ready for when you are itching to get back in the saddle.

You could spend an entire week exploring lol the different places you can go within the preserve and still only experience a fraction of it. It is that massive.

5. Picnic Island

Have you been looking for the best dog beach in the county? Well, this is it right here. Plenty of space for water time fun with your furry friends.

This beach is normally one of the most popular spots in town over the weekends, with families bringing everyone along, including the family pet. There are also some sweet spots where you can fish for some saltwater marine life.

6. Hillsborough River State Park

Right next door to the Hillsborough county wilderness preserve is the Hillsborough River State Park. Inside the park, there are a few places where you can step into the water.

If you want to go kayaking, this is the best place in the region for it. Step into the nice waters, and you may get the chance to overhear nature’s classroom, an outdoor field trip held in this state park yearly.

Lower Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve

Lower green swamp wilderness preserve is just outside of Hillsborough county at roughly an hour drive from Tampa.

It is located in an isolated part of Polk County and is one of the best places to find you can ride horses on in Florida. It runs through several acres of marshland, and there is a small river near the entrance open to swimming.

Final Notes Regarding The Hiking Options In and Around Tampa

There are even more trails in the area worth checking out once you finish up with these. These trails will give you a good glimpse of all the different types of habitats and environments in this region of Florida.

Experience the thrill of kayaking down a Coro idle inhabited river, then jump on horseback and ride down a long trail in the middle of nowhere.

No matter what type of experience you are looking for, you will find it somewhere in the Tampa area. Enjoy your time in the area and take in all you can while you can. It will make for some great memories down the road.