Some of the best parks in Tampa Bay are dotted around the tri-county areas of Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas Counties. Our parks are host to a vast array of outdoor adventures, and offers something for everyone! Many of our parks have been ranked among the top in the state! Watersports parks, splash parks, dog parks, zip-lining parks, and even a park with mermaids! Mother Nature is good for the mind, body and soul! Come to choose your own experience!
Hernando County
Home to the world famous mermaids of the Weeki Wachee Springs, this Hernando County park has drawn in visitors from all over the world; even Elvis himself couldn’t resist the allure of our majestic mermaids! Hernando County, known as “Florida’s Adventure Coast”, draws nature enthusiast of all kinds! The Withlacoochee State Forest is the 3rd largest state forest and has all of the amenities you could need to enjoy the outdoors including picnic areas, campsites, canoe/boat launch sites, equestrian trails, off-road ATV trails, fishing and more. Another favorite is the Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area, which offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature and hosts educational classes, overnight camp events, and is listed on the “Great Florida Birding Trail list. Locals enjoy bringing their dogs to play in the shaded and fenced Rotary Centennial Dog Park in Spring Hill. Hernando County has miles and miles of trails and acres of untouched Florida beauty.
Choose your adventure, visit http://floridasadventurecoast.com/
Pasco County
Besides the sandy beach parks and nature preserve parks found in Pasco County, there are several unique parks we have to mention! One of the newest park and growing local favorite is SunWest Aquatic Park located in Hudson. This 70-acre, spring-fed lake showcases an aqua-obstacle course, paddle boarding, kayaking, wakeboarding, beach volleyball, designated swim areas, and sandy shores to set up your beach gear and enjoy a picnic. Another favorite is Crews Lake Wilderness Park, which consists of 113-acres of stunning beauty and wildlife. Something that most parks don’t offer includes the botanical gardens, birdhouses, observation tower, paved bike path, an amphitheatre, rentable shelter sites, camping and the most special….the train rides offered by Central Pasco & Gulf Railroad! The Suncoast Parkway Trail spans through the three counties of Hernando, Pasco and Hillsborough. The paved trail is ideal for biking, walking, rollerblading and offers water stations and sheltered tables for the convenience of its users.
Choose your adventure, visit http://www.visitpasco.net/
Pinellas County
Pinellas County’s equivalent to the Suncoast Parkway Trail is known as the Pinellas Trail and voted “One of America’s Top Urban Greenways”. This paved trail runs all the way from the sponge docks of Tarpon Springs, all the way south to the restaurants and boutique shops of downtown St. Petersburg. Don’t have a bike to explore this 40-mile trail? Coast Bike Share of St Pete has you covered with its rent-a-bike community program. Many visitors and locals alike, come for the beaches of Pinellas County. The most popular state beach parks include Anclote Key and Fort De Soto Park, where you can actually horseback ride or camp along the sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Another treasured state parks is Boca Ciega Millennium Park located in Seminole. Boca Ciega Millennium Park is another “Great Florida Birding Trail” and offers boardwalks, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, shelters, picnic areas, grills, dog park and a canopy shaded barrier-free playground.
Choose your adventure, visit http://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/
Florida Coast-to-Coast Connector
Once complete this will provide its travelers to travel from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean, straight across the state! Florida’s Coast-to-Coast Connector begins in St. Petersburg and ends in Titusville. It ultimately will link to both the 215-mile Heart of Florida Loop and the 260-mile St. John’s River-to-Sea Loop. The wide and paved trail is ideal for biking, rollerblading and joggers alike!
To follow the progress and check for updates, please visit Florida Greenbelt and Trails Foundation