The Ninth Annual Hiking Spree is Here!

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The cooler weather is approaching – are you ready to Emerge and Explore? The ninth annual Hillsborough County Hiking Spree features new trails, new prizes, and new opportunities to get out and explore all that Hillsborough County has to offer.

What is the Hiking Spree?

The Hiking Spree is a collaborative effort between Hillsborough County’s Conservation and Environmental Lands Management and Parks and Recreation departments. It is meant to highlight our unique outdoor spaces throughout the county. It is one of the largest and longest running events Hillsborough County does annually.

This five-month event encourages people to discover new places to hike, learn more about conservation, and be active outside. The hikes chosen for the Hiking Spree are at Neighborhood Parks, Conservation Parks, Nature Preserves, and at other sites in Hillsborough. 

The wide variety of sites to is curated to give everyone a chance to complete the Hiking Spree and have a great time, regardless of age, skill, or ability. Featured hikes are assigned a difficulty level and also show the trail length, so whether you’re looking for a leisurely lunch break stroll or a longer, rugged hike, you can find the best trail for you. 

The Hiking Spree is FREE to participate in, but guided hikes and park entry fees may apply. Hikers may go alone, with a group, or as part of a guided event. 

Four legged hikers are also welcome. These pups earned their bandanas last year with their two-legged friend, Amber D. 

How does the Hiking Spree Work? 

  1. Participants must register for the Hiking Spree online. You’ll find information about registration on the Hiking Spree web page beginning December 1st! 

  2. Follow the Trail List and hike eight of the designated trails. They can be any eight trails, in any order or length. Additionally, hikers are also allowed one “anywhere in the world” hike, where you can hike any trail not listed regardless of the location.

  3. Hikers have five months to complete all eight hikes, from December 1st to April 30th. Some like to do a hike a week, some try to do all eight in one day! The possibilities are endless. 

  4. When done with all eight hikes, hikers will complete the online completion form found linked on the Hiking Spree page.

  5. Hikers then receive an email verifying their completion and they can go in person to a redemption site to receive their reward(s)! 

    • Want an inside secret? If your eighth hike is at one of the redemption sites, you can complete your form on your phone and pick up your reward right after your final hike!

the 2024-2025 Hiking Spree rewards featuring the Zebra Longwing butterfly

More about the Hiking Spree

This year's prizes features the Florida state butterfly, the Zebra Longwing, along with its host plant, the corkystem passionflower. Much like the butterfly emerges from its chrysalis, we’re hoping you’ll emerge on your own and explore the wild and wonderful side of Hillsborough County!

A Zebra longwing butterfly, photographed at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park by Chris Foster.

We’ve teamed up with a new partner site this year, Plant City’s McIntosh Preserve. This site was heavily requested by hikers who completed our surveys and we’re so happy to have them join us. If you have a favorite site in Hillsborough to hike, be sure to let us know when you fill out your completion survey. 

Keep an eye on the official Hiking Spree web page for information and updates - the page will be updated with the trail list and other details at the beginning of the Hiking Spree. You'll also see a listing of events and guided hikes for the Hiking Spree that will be updated frequently throughout the season. 


We hope you’re as excited for the Hiking Spree as we are! 

Check HCFL.gov/HikingSpree to stay up to date with events and programs.

If you have any questions or concerns, reach out at HikingSpree@HCFL.gov 


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