Visit These Three Parks Before Summer Returns
Summer is fast approaching! Take advantage of these stunning, sunny parks before temperatures soar.
#1: Weedon Island Preserve in St. Pete
Weedon Island Preserve is one of my favorite places to visit in the Tampa Bay area. It’s rich in history and beauty! Plus, it’s very easy to get to from Tampa because it’s just past the Gandy Bridge in St. Pete.
Be sure to check out both boardwalk loops, the 45-foot observation tower, and Boy Scout Trail.
While you're on the boardwalks, you’ll likely see kayakers weaving through the mangrove tunnels.
If you'd like to hit the water, you can use the public kayak and paddleboard launch near the pier or rent from ECOmersion Kayak Rentals. In fact, I lead tours their once a month!
If you’re going the self-guided route, remember to check the tide ahead of time. You need at least a foot of water to get through the mangrove tunnels!
#2: Carrollwood Village Park in Tampa
Carrollwood Village Park is a popular spot in Hillsborough County and it is easy to see why!
Visitors will find top-tier amenities, including a large playground, splash pad, dog park, challenge course, skate park, and more.
Walkers will like the open, paved paths that wind through the park. There’s also a boardwalk that crosses the lake. You’ll often see turtles, ducks, and wading birds nearby.
Address: 4680 W Village Dr, Tampa, FL 33624
#3: Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve in Southern Hillsborough County
Don’t let the name scare you away! It comes from Spanish explorers who saw horseshoe crabs in the water and thought they looked like cockroaches.
Today, Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve is considered to be one of the best places in the Tampa Bay area to catch a sunset. You can see the Sunshine Skyway, St. Pete, and Tampa from the top of the dirt mound (created from a restoration project).
Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve is also a fantastic spot for birding. Be sure to check out the 1.2 mile blue trail that loops around a pond.
If you’d like to explore further, you can hit the water by launching your own kayak or paddle board at the end of Cockroach Bay Road. There is a paddle trail that goes north and another that goes south. Both have markers.
Address: 3839 Gulf City Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570
