Go Take A Hike! It's A Good Thing.

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If someone tells you to go take a hike, it's not necessarily a bad thing because now you'll know where to go. The Conservation and Environmental Lands Management (CELM) Department of Hillsborough County has preserved land not only to retain the natural environment, but to also allow for light recreation. CELM currently manages almost 470 miles of trails for this purpose. This includes trails made specifically for hiking, biking and horseback riding. There are a few differences to note. Biking trails in the Balm Boyette Nature Preserve are off-road and restricted to mountain biking-only. In contrast, the biking trails on the conservation parks are part of multi-use trails (paved and off-road).


Lettuce Lake Conservation Park

Below lists the sum of Hillsborough County managed trails available to residents and visitors:

Conservation Parks 264.89 miles

• Hiking trails - 119.98 miles

• Biking trails - 113.68 miles

• Equestrian trails - 31.23 miles

Nature Preserves 204.25

• Hiking Trails - 135.38 miles

• Biking Trails - 35.58 miles

• Equestrian trails - 33.29 miles


You might be thinking, this is summer in Florida which means it's either too hot or too wet. Well never fear, we may have just the trail to suit your needs. 
Check out the lists of dry and shady county hikes below. Because of the season, you may miss out on the crowds, but you won’t miss the spectacular wildflowers and wildlife!


Top 10 Shady Hikes

9256 South County Rd. 39, Plant City, 33567 Map
The Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve is a 4,070-acre preserve encompassing lands along the Alafia River east of the Bell Shoals Bridge, extending upstream along the North Prong into Polk County, and along the South Prong to Jameson Road. The preserve contains many different habitat types and also includes areas that were formerly mined for phosphate. The site is home to some listed species including gopher tortoises, eastern indigo snake, American alligator, as well as many others. Hike the red trail to take advantage of the shade!

10243 Elbow Bend Road, Riverview, FL 33578 Map
Trail CATS at Alderman's Ford Nature Preserve
This 80-acre nature preserve includes diverse habitats, including hammock, scrub, creeks, ravines, shoreline and tidal marsh. Marked hiking trails include a 0.8-mile loop and a 1.3-mile loop. A scenic overlook on the Alafia River is a half-mile from the trailhead. Alafia Scrub Nature Preserve was purchased by Hillsborough County through the Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) in 1998 with funding assistance from the Florida Communities Trust.

8911 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City, FL 33567 Map
Alderman’s Ford Preserve is 985 acres that serves as a portion of the South Hillsborough Wildlife Corridor, and provides a connection between other publicly owned lands along the Alafia River.

100 Alderman's Ford Park Drive, Plant City, FL 33567 Map
The park's most popular attraction is a 1.9 mile paved loop that follows the north and south prongs of the Alafia River-- one of the most popular canoe spots in the state. The loop, which is hiker, dog walker, and bicycle friendly, links with a boardwalk and foot bridges, leading into shaded woods of gigantic cypress and oak trees.

4140 24th St SE, Ruskin, 33570 Map
The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is a 160-acre nature preserve run entirely by volunteers. It is operated in partnership with the non-profit Bayou Outdoor Learning and Discovery, Inc. (BOLD) and our Conservation and Environmental Lands Management department. Red and blue trails will provide the most cover.

18000 Lizard's Tail Road, Tampa, FL 33647 Map
The 2500-acre Cypress Creek Nature Preserve is part of a vast wildlife corridor which extends into Pasco and Polk Counties. Cypress Creek drains into the Hillsborough River and thus provides important water quality benefits to the region. Natural habitats within the preserve include hardwood forests and swamps, pine flatwoods, wet prairies, cypress stands and freshwater marshes.

6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City, FL 33567 Map
Among its main attractions is a 700-acre reservoir used for canoeing, boating, and fishing. Singing Bluffs trails is a 1.25-mile trail near the reservoir that offers varied terrain, bird watching and a pleasant trip through pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks.


6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33637
Hillsborough County's most visited conservation park features half of the property lying within the natural floodplain of the Hillsborough River, consisting of a hardwood swamp forest. The remainder of the park consists of hardwood hammocks and pine flatwoods plant communities. The park features a 1.25-mile paved exercise trail and a 3,500-foot boardwalk with an observation tower that provides scenic views of the Hillsborough River. Join us for an Avian Adventure Walk here on July 25 at 8AM.

13305 Balm Boyette Road, Riverview, FL 33579 Map
Triple Creek Nature Preserve
Triple Creek Preserve is a 969-acre preserve located in south Hillsborough County. This preserve provides a critical link between existing preserved ELAPP lands and contributes to a contiguous wildlife corridor that includes a creek system, hardwood wetlands, and upland habitats. Its acquisition connects the Rhodine Scrub and Balm-Boyette Scrub Preserves, creating an extended recreational trail system. Shade can be enjoyed here on the red trail.

1802 Sinclair Hills Road, Lutz, FL 33549 Map
This 160-acre sanctuary contains examples of natural habitats such as pine flatwoods, sandhill, marshes, oak hammock, and Lake Flynn, a freshwater lake, all of which are unique in the community. The 2.25 mile-long hiking trail is an excellent non-strenuous hike. Join us for a Sunrise Hike here July 13 at 7AM.


Top 10 Dry Hikes

10940 McMullen Road, Riverview, 33569 Map
Great diversity of habitats including sand pine scrub, dry flatwoods, freshwater marsh, open fields, sandhill, seepage slopes, creeks, a small lake, and a habitat restoration area can all be seen in a couple of hours; marked hiking trail.

4140 24th St SE, Ruskin, 33570 Map
Hiking trail, butterfly garden and exhibits along the Little Manatee River.

3839 Gulf City Road, Ruskin, 33570 Map
Parking and a short walk to a high mound with a view of the surrounding restored habitats and Cockroach Bay. 

5906 Kracker Avenue, Gibsonton, 33534 Map
Parking and an upland hiking trail through restored habitats that lead to coastal mangrove islands and open water at the mouth of Hillsborough Bay.

12181 East Bay Road, Gibsonton, 33534 Map
Less than half a mile from the parking lot to the picnic pavilion and lake through dry pine flatwoods and scrub. More ambitious hikers can continue south another mile or so to the borrow pit on the sandy interior road.

12702 US Highway 301 N. Thonotosassa, FL 33592
Land lovers or river farers can enjoy this park because it has boat access. To dry off after enjoying the wonders of the Hillsborough River, hit the paved trail.

Rocky Creek Trails Nature Preserve
Lake Rogers Conservation Park
9010 North Mobley Road, Odessa, FL 33556 Map
Trails popular with hikers and joggers twist through this park’s forest of oak and pine trees. Join us for a Sunrise Hike here on July 7 at 7AM.

7415 Manhattan Drive, Tampa, 33625 Map
Short circle of less than half a mile goes over a bridge and through oak and pine woods. Doubles back to the parking lot via the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.

8001 Double Branch Road, Tampa, FL 33635 Map
The Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park offers an abundance of wildlife and other ecological treasures for any devoted nature lover. For hikers who do not like wet feet, stick to the Otter Trail and you may see gopher tortoises, zebra swallowtail butterflies, and even bobcats. Join us for a Morning Hike here on July 23 at 8AM.

9201 West Waters Avenue, Tampa, FL 33635
Stay high and dry on this linear trail that is located in residential northwest Hillsborough County.

Click on a park name above to learn more about each individual site and click on the map links to download the trail maps. Happy trails!

Remember: Weather in Florida is unpredictable and the condition of these trails can change. There may be wet areas on portions of the trails described above; however, these sites are generally drier than many of the other nature preserves in Hillsborough County. Check the website before hiking to learn more about current site conditions.

*Indicates a trail that is included on the Hillsborough FL Nature Tours app.

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