# 6 Best Hiking Trails & Nature Parks in Tampa Bay (2026) Class II rapids, a boardwalk through gator country, and a tower that sees two skylines. Tampa Bay's trails are flat, wet and full of wildlife. These picks range from a state park with a suspension bridge to a preserve whose tower views both St. Pete and Tampa. Trails can flood after rain, so check conditions first. Spots are numbered for easy browsing, not as a strict ranking. Updated: October 2026. Source: Real Tampa Bay Media, https://realtampabay.com/guides/best-hiking-trails-and-nature-parks-in-tampa-bay ## Spots ### 1. Hillsborough River State Park Class II rapids and a suspension bridge. - Neighborhood: Thonotosassa Hillsborough River State Park has four trails covering more than seven miles, including part of the Florida Trail, along the river with a suspension bridge and a rare stretch of Class II rapids. Low-lying trails can flood after rain. Highlights: 7+ miles of trails; Suspension bridge; Class II rapids ### 2. Lettuce Lake Park A paved trail and a boardwalk with a tower. - Neighborhood: Tampa Lettuce Lake Park offers a 1.25-mile paved exercise trail and a half-mile boardwalk with an observation tower for spotting wildlife, including alligators and birds. Dogs are welcome on a leash. Highlights: 1.25-mile paved trail; Boardwalk and tower; Leashed dogs OK ### 3. Weedon Island Preserve 3,000-plus acres with a skyline tower. - Neighborhood: St. Petersburg Weedon Island Preserve covers more than 3,000 acres on a peninsula into Tampa Bay, with boardwalks and views of lakes and mangrove channels. An observation tower at the south end shows both the St. Petersburg and Tampa skylines. Highlights: 3,000+ acres; Boardwalks; Two-skyline tower ### 4. Fort De Soto Park Beaches, fortifications and a long paved trail. - Neighborhood: Tierra Verde Fort De Soto Park has a roughly 1.4-mile loop past beaches and historic fortifications, as well as a 7-mile paved trail. Highlights: 1.4-mile loop; Historic fort; 7-mile paved trail ### 5. Flatwoods Park A 7-mile paved loop. - Neighborhood: Thonotosassa Flatwoods Park has a paved 7-mile loop that is popular with cyclists as well as walkers. Highlights: 7-mile paved loop; Popular with cyclists ### 6. Honeymoon Island State Park Nature trails and bird-watching. - Neighborhood: Dunedin Honeymoon Island State Park offers more than four miles of white sand, nature trails and bird-watching areas, reached without a boat. Highlights: Nature trails; Bird-watching; 4+ miles of beach ## About this guide Picks are compiled from local publications and public sources and are not a paid ranking. Spots are numbered for browsing, not as a strict ranking. Hours and prices are intentionally omitted because they change; confirm details with each venue. All guides: https://realtampabay.com/guides Header photo: jesseasmith, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Weedon_Island_preserve_-_panoramio.jpg).