3 Best Hiking Trails in Tampa, FL

“Lettuce Lake Park is a 240-acre Hillsborough River-sitting hardwood marsh, hardwood hammocks, and pine Flatwoods. At Lettuce Lake, one of the most common things to do is follow one of the trails and take a stroll. To find the boardwalk, you should park near the Visitor Center. This route leads to the Hillsborough River and an observation tower. The tower takes a few steps to a beautiful open view of Lettuce Lake. The park has wooded campsites and play areas, a 1,25-mile paved exercise trail, and a 3,500-foot waterfront with an observation deck offering panoramic views of the Hillsborough River. The trail provides up-close experiences with exotic marine birds and wildlife. There are several picnic areas and several areas with swings and exercise areas. Lettuce Lake Park also has plenty of pavilions you can rent for your special events.”

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“Eureka Springs Park is a special and unique 31-acre garden with a greenhouse, trellised walks, a boardwalk, and a picnic area. The trail's total length is 0.5 miles, and the trail's elevation gain is 3 feet. The trail is loop-type, which is generally considered an easy trail route. The trail is a conversation park with gardens, tropical plants, flowers, and boardwalks through floodplains. Visitors can see the rose garden and orchid area and explore walking trails and hiking trails winding through a lush floodplain forest of maple, cypress, and tupelo. Eureka Springs Park also contains a greenhouse, picnic tables and tents, a reservable pavilion for the Eureka Springs band, and interpretive trails. There is a long boardwalk that takes you through the trees and a trail with many beautiful flowers.”

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“Upper Tampa Bay Park is a preserve with an environmental research center. The trail features picnic areas, biking trails, and boardwalks overlooking Tampa Bay and its ecosystems. The total length of the trail is 15.0 miles. The trail is out and back type and the trail's elevation gain is 183 feet. The park maintains essential marine ecosystems and natural habitats, including mangrove forests, salt marshes, and freshwater marshes. The visitor center houses interpretive displays detailing the landscape of the park, its history, and geology. Tourists can see gopher tortoises, zebra swallowtail butterflies, and even bobcats. The 596-acre peninsular park also preserves essential marine ecosystems and environmentally sustainable communities. The trail provides a lot of wildlife and other environmental treasures for any committed nature lover. Upper Tampa Bay Park is a great place to witness the old Bay, the mangroves, and wildlife. Visitors can also enjoy canoeing and kayaking.”

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