Ten Years of the Hillsborough County Hiking Spree

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The cooler weather is approaching – are you ready to get back on the trail? The tenth 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 in 2024 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 November 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 November 1st to March 31st. 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 - Stay tuned to see images of this year's reward with the American alligator mascot!

More about the Hiking Spree

The Mascot: 

This year's prizes features the Floridian icon - the American Alligator. Some of our Hiking Spree trails may take you along waterways where alligators live - hopefully you'll be lucky enough to see a few during your 8 hikes! 

American alligator basking on a log at Flatwoods Conservation Park, photo by Mark Flynn.

Hiking Spree "Partner Trails:" 

After a wonderful debut year, Plant City’s McIntosh Preserve joins us again with the Live Oak Loop - go early in the morning and listen to the bobwhite quails call from atop the observation tower. 

Along with them we have Alafia River State Park showing off a new trail for the Hiking Spree - one where you wont have to dodge mountain bikes. The Lonesome Lake Loop is just for hikers and equestrians, and is a lovely peaceful walk we think you'll enjoy.  

Last but bit least, our third partner hike is at Little Manatee River State Park. The two mile Sandpine Trail meanders along the river throughout the main park area. Enhance this hike by also visiting Little Manatee River Corridor Nature Preserve and hiking the Tributary Trail for a full day of enjoying the beautiful Little Manatee River by land. 


New to 2025-2026, a Bio Blitz! 

What's a "BioBlitz?" A BioBlitz is a community science event where people come together to find and identify as many plants, animals, fungi, and other living things as possible in a specific area and time frame.

You do not need to be an expert, you just have to be curious!

How It Works:

  1. Download the iNaturalist app (free on iOS and Android).
  2. Create an account and join our project:
  3. Go outside! Take photos of any wild plants or animals you see.
  4. Upload your photos to iNaturalist. The app will help identify what you found as you post.
    • Try your best to get the right ID for the plant or animal by looking at suggested species first and making your best educated guess.
  5. Watch as experts confirm and comment on your discoveries and help you hone your nature ID skills!


Want to keep up with Hiking Spree events and information?

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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