Wild Score: Explore Hillsborough County's Wild Side at Bell Creek Nature Preserve
Always know before you go! We've introduced the Wild Score to rate Hillsborough County’s conservation parks and nature preserves on a scale of 6 (tame) to 30 (wild). A high score doesn’t mean that spot is “better,” just that it’s more wild- if you’re looking for a more developed, people-centered experience, you’ll want to look for parks and preserves with a lower Wild Score.
We’ll use 6 metrics for this rating system, scored from 1 (most developed, most tame, etc.) to 5 (most wild). We’ll break down each rating for you and explain exactly how the park or preserve got its score.
This month we rated Bell Creek Nature Preserve in Riverview, a 477-acre natural area which was purchased using funds from the Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program, or ELAPP. One of the County's most popular nature preserves, this beautiful area is most often used for hiking, jogging, dog walking, and wildlife viewing. Surrounded by neighborhoods, Bell Creek provides a refuge for some of Florida's favorite wildlife species, including bobcats, deer, and the threatened gopher tortoise! 5 miles of trails wind through shady oak hammock, towering pines, and grassy meadows dotted with wildflowers. Find out more about Bell Creek Nature Preserve and view the trail map here.
Ecosystem Quality- 3.5 (good, but somewhat disturbed)
Bell Creek Nature Preserve is right in the middle of Riverview, an area that’s been heavily developed over the past several decades. In fact, this preserve was actually almost turned into a housing development before being bought by Hillsborough County! Parts of the property were disturbed by grazing, and there’s even a paved trail running through the pines to remind visitors of the preserve’s intended fate. Although there are pockets of excellent habitat (and even lots of Florida Golden Aster, one of our state’s rare endangered plants), much of the habitat here is still recovering from past disturbances. Restoration projects and natural re-seeding are slowly improving this beautiful land.
Wildlife Sightings- 3 (somewhat common)
With a resident bobcat, gopher tortoises, several alligators, and a huge number of pollinators and birds, Bell Creek Nature Preserve is a great place for wildlife spotting – but only if you go at the right time. Head out for your hike in the early morning for the best chance of encountering one of our winged or four-legged friends. In the heat of the day wildlife seek shade and are much harder to find on the sunny trails. Foot traffic along trails throughout the day also keeps wildlife away, so hiking in the morning ensures that nobody else has startled the bobcat into hiding!
Trail Surface- 3.5 (somewhat rough)
The trails at Bell Creek Nature preserve, though very well maintained, are mostly unpaved dirt, sand, and grass with occasional rocks and roots. Portions of the trail (especially near the kiosk at the entrance) flood after heavy rain, and during the summer season you’ll find some sections with ankle-deep water and thick mud. During the dry season, the deep sand in some areas makes for a bit of a workout. Most of this trail, however, is a pretty smooth hike, especially the mile of paved road that makes up the yellow trail and part of the red trail.
Trail Markings- 4
These trails are relatively well-marked with colored blazes on trees and posts. However, once you’re out on the trail, you won’t find any maps, signs, or other navigation aids. Make sure you follow the blazes and know which trail you’re on at all times. We highly recommend bringing a paper map or, even better, downloading the geo-referenced PDF map to your phone and following along as you hike using a mapping app like Avenza. That way you’ll always know exactly where you are!
Comforts & Amenities- 4
Bell Creek Nature Preserve, like most other Hillsborough County Nature Preserves, has no restrooms, picnic shelters, or amenities of any kind. It differs from other nature preserves in one big way, though – this is the home of the main office for the County’s Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department! Open weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM, this office sells passes to the County’s conservation parks and hosts a dedicated team of County staff that manage and protect nearby preserve land. There’s also more parking available here than at many other nature preserves.
Solitude- 3
Bell Creek Nature Preserve is one of the most popular nature preserves in the county. That doesn't mean it's crowded, though! With five miles of trails to spread out in, it's possible to complete your whole hike without seeing another hiker. If you go during a popular time, like early mornings and weekends, you're much more likely to have company. Nearby neighborhoods have walk-through access to the hiking trails, and many of the preserve’s neighbors enjoy strolling with their families or their pup every day. The parking lot is never empty at Bell Creek Nature Preserve, and if you're here at the right time, you may even catch a glimpse of a staff member mowing the trails, removing invasive plants, or conducting a biological survey.
