Season's Outings 2025

 Winter months are some of the best times to get outdoors here in Florida, but also some of the most stressful. Between various holidays, travel, social events, work, family, and a myriad of other things - finding the time and inspiration to get outside can be difficult. 

But time spent outside is so good for us as it is mentally and physically stimulating and can benefit our well-being. We put together a list of exciting activities you can try this winter to get outside. 

We hope they give you some inspiration to try something new this season!

Volunteer!

Want to get involved this winter? We have so many opportunities to volunteer!

Early December, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program is hosting the Tampa Bay Debris Derby, an annual event where teams get as much trash and debris out of the Tampa Bay as possible - and win prizes doing so.  The main event and weigh in is at EG Simmons Conservation Park. 

In January, we're hosting our annual "Spruce Up The Swamp" planting event at Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve and we need hands! We’ll be planting pine seedlings and native groundcover species to help increase native plant diversity and restore the preserve’s pine flatwoods habitat. 

 Join the Trail CATS! The Trail CATS (County Associated Trail Stewards) have events throughout the year where they help maintain trails throughout Hillsborough's Nature Preserves, plant trees, work on native plant gardens, and more. 

Take time to stop and smell the roses, and orchids, and poinsettias…

Eureka Springs Conservation Park continues to be a favorite “hidden gem” of the county. They rotate much of the greenery you can see seasonally and currently have some lovely poinsettia planted for your enjoyment and they are gorgeous! Take a stroll through the botanical gardens first curated by Albert Greenburg when Tampa was still up and coming – you may even get a chance to see one of the orchids blooming that he first cared for over 80 years ago.  You can even join in a guided "Beautiful Botanicals" hike of the park with one of their rangers! This is sure to be a favorite for any houseplant or garden enthusiast.

Enjoy Nature Under the Stars

We have a handful of events this season to enjoy the thrill of the parks and preserves after dark!  Two "Full Moon Hikes" for those who want some dusk to dark nature spotting, and one "Night Swim" to enjoy swimming the spring after the park closes. 

• Full Moon Night Hike - Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve: You'll join your hike leader, Rebecca Winch, watch the sun set over the pines as we hike down to beautiful Blackwater Creek, looking and listening for wildlife in the twilight. Starting the hike early and through sunset will give your eyesight time to naturally adjust and enjoy the hike by the light of a nearly-full moon. This hike is an excellent event for someone wants to try a longer hike, but doesn't want to go alone. 
  
  
• Polar Plunge Night Swim - Lithia Springs Conservation Park: Join us for a night swim at Lithia Springs Conservation Park! The evening will start with a brief Ranger led program and will conclude with a swim in the spring. Take a dip in the cool 72 degree water as tiki torches and underwater lights create a luminous glow in and around the spring.
  
  
• Full Moon Night Hike - Edward Medard Conservation Park: Want to explore the conservation parks after dark? Join Ranger James on the Singing Bluffs trail to see what happens when the sun goes down at Edward Medard Conservation Park. The hike begins before the park closes just as the sun begins to set, and you'll hike under the light of the full "Wolf Moon." The singing bluffs trail winds through tall oaks, up and down small hills, and through bird nesting sites. 

Christmas Bird Count

“The nation's longest-running community science bird project” is in its 125th year this December and is a great way to get outside, learn, explore, and help one of the largest citizen science projects! From the Audubon Society, 

“Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the then-nascent Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition—a "Christmas Bird Census" that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them.”

Now the Christmas Bird Count occurs between December 14^th through January 5^th and if you’d like to join in one the action check out this page from the Audubon Society. You need not be an expert birder, just willing to watch and listen! 

See also: the Tampa Audubon Society

Bring your Fam

Sometimes we might want an escape from family around the holidays, but did you know that adults are more likely to spend time outside when they’re with others? So, grab your family or friends and get them outside with you! Make some hot chocolate and fill a thermos, pick a park or preserve, and go explore! Want to make it more fun? Here’s a list of game to play for both kids and adults while hiking on a trail. 

Kayak and Canoe rentals are a great way to explore with family and friends as well; for $25 for four hours you'll see some of the best places and views in our parks from the water. You can learn more about canoeing, kayaking, and rentals here. 

For a full adventure - join the guided "Bobcat, Eagle, and Otter Trail" hike at Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park and then go out on a kayak afterwards! 

Plan An Escape

What’s better than spending time in front of the TV? Ditching the TV and phone all together and spending your holiday outside. Cooking over a fire, cuddling up on chilly nights, watching the stars instead of fireworks on New Years Eve – what a dream! 

We know the BEST place to do it – the Hillsborough County Conservation Parks!  Plan a stay at Edward Medard (with their newly renovated campground), EG Simmons, or Lithia Springs to truly “get away” this season.

Celebrate the Solstice

Can you hike for an entire day? On Thursday, December 21^st the sun rises in Tampa at 7:16 am and sets at 5:39 pm. That’s 10 hours and 22 minutes of daylight, the shortest day of the year, and we bet you can’t hike that entire time – but you sure can try it!  

Will you hike the longest trails in the county, or will you use this short day to see how many Hiking Spree hikes you can complete from sunup to sundown? Can you hike all 8 of your hikes in one day? The adventure is yours to choose! 

(Tell us about your Hiking Spree adventures at HikingSpree@HCFL.gov!)

Break out the Bikes

Ready for some exciting off road adventure? Check out the bike trails at Flatwoods or Balm Boyette, or join up on a group or kid ride with S.W.A.M.P. Mountain Bike Club. They do several rides each month including at Balm Boyette Nature Preserve and Trout Creek Conservation Park - even night rides for the most adventurous! 

Want a less intense bike ride? The Upper Tampa Bay Trail is always a great option! Click here for more info on biking in Hillsborough.

 

Happy Trails to You

Horse owners, did you know you can trail ride on some county properties? Sites like Alafia River Corridor South, Edward Medard Park, Lower Green Swamp, and Lake Frances allow trail riding for equestrians. 

As the County does not offer horseback riding rentals, these sites are strictly bring-your-own-horse. Follow the rules and be respectful of others on the trail and enjoy seeing the parks and preserves from a different point of view! Learn more about riding at select County sites here.