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    Bell Creek Nature Preserve

    4.1 (20 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

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    Nice hike just off McMullen rd. Trails are easy to get to and easy to walk on. Some trails are mostly sand, so be ready if you're pushing a stroller. You can view many places where gopher tortoises go to nest.

    Resting in the shade
    Macy B.

    Very nice hiking spot for us and our large dogs. Saw lots of wildlife, especially turtles on the yellow path. Beware that the map at the front shows one way only in miles. We thought it was going to be a couple miles max and we ended up doing almost 4! No big deal, definitely user error. We will definitely be back to do the other paths. Hoping that the others are more into the woods as the yellow path was mostly an old paved road.

    Bullfrog creek nature preserve on the Hillsborough county hiking spree
    Nicole M.

    This is a deceivingly long almost 5 mile primitive sandy trail. There are plenty of tracks of coyotes deer and boar to keep you occupied. I would bring water or a coffee as the walking trail is long. The trail is dog friendly! Tip: when driving up drive past the sign and down the long dirt road behind the houses and keep going until you see a sign not to hop the fence and this is where you will park and start.

    New sign - Employees Only!
    Kathy T.

    This was a fun hike. It really isn't much, but there is some beauty to be seen. It's just nice to be able to leisurely stroll and take in all the greenery. I am sure during the Spring there are lots of wildflowers. We ran across very few when we went. It mostly was just very green. The trails are marked. The people who run the nature preserve are very nice when we met them inside the air conditioned structure. We were shown a map and various other amenities. I would just go during early Spring or Fall months. It is very hot and humid during the Summer, as Florida summers are sweltering. Make sure you bring lots of water and wear comfortable shoes.

    Jerome L.

    A little too crowded for my comfort level but a nice bike path trail with some great views of the river, peaceful, quiet and serene. Some sand and some root branches growing underneath path. Watch some path areas carefully.

    Cocoon   By Journeys photography 941  #Jp941

    These preserve has been my oasis away from everything. Everything I mean, COVID-19, this Preserve has been open most of the time and it's big enough for social distancing. I have been visiting this place for the last 6 moths, I had no idea it existed. Funny story, I got lost, haha, yes I did but it was well worth it. I can meditate, have a picnic, jog/running, and have lunch by the pond. It's peaceful and during the day, it has shade in some areas. I would recommend wearing a hat and good shoes, water will be a plus during mid day. I am a local photographer and I find this place a little peace of heaven. I will share some photos just to show the beauty in the preserve. Also, you will see different plants and animals throughout the year.

    The Beginning!
    Jessica T.

    There is a red building that is across from the parking lot that is The Conservation and Lands Management Department to the park. ~~~~~~~~~~~ There are trucks and other vehicles and buildings in storage in the back of the office building that's only used for staff. This is where we met Andy and he took us inside so he could tell us a little bit about the park. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There is a parking lot but it's small and there isn't a fee to enter or to walk the trails. We signed up to receive monthly e-mails about activities that we maybe interested in. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The trails are more for walking than running or biking. You come up to a fork in the middle of the path and it's your decision to decide which path to take. I would like to explore both paths but not in the same day. It is best to hike in the mid morning in the hotter months and in the colder months anytime is good. There is a creek that runs along one of the trails that is more active during the cooler months especially when it rains because the creek rises up and there is more habitat and wildlife to see. There are some bugs in this park which changes according to season. SEE YOU SOON!

    Entrance
    Bo W.

    This park has a lot of potential, but is lacking the general maintenance and upkeep expected from a public park. The trails were so overgrown, it was unclear if we were on the right path. Even from the entrance, with signage and everything, it just didn't look like a park. Not very inviting. Hopefully in the near future this place will get the attention it deserves.

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    Apollo Beach Nature Preserve

    Apollo Beach Nature Preserve

    4.2
    (48 reviews)
    8.0 mi

    Haven't been here since i was a dude. Lol almost a decade ago this used to be way simpler n more on…read morethe wild west. Trash everywhere, people hiding in the bushes to hump, Do lines and some time fish. Used to come here with a past Lover to clean the beach or fish. No joke, its all we did. Lol No they have put even more funding into it. I understand why the banned the extra curricular activities. The Manatee sanctuary is literally right there across the water. Also locals don't respect the no wake zones n tourist want to ride the poor Manatees. Its wild as hell the huge foot print left by people n like angry parents. They took away our toys. Im actually glad. Look cleaner, healthier n its now heavy focus on family picnic not making them in the bushes ill stop lol joke aside, they opened up the property for picnics, can play a decent game of throw ball with yo kids. And cleaner trails. I did not see a grill anywhere n i must be blind cuz i cant see the bathrooms either. They added a watch tower in the middle. Keep on mind it is wheelchair accessible, so are the closer picnic areas. Cement goes away at the edge of the beach. Warning: Please bring a cooler, big sun hats, wear proper sun blocking and shoes that wont melt. The sand is paper white! It deflects the sun into you at almost full spectrum, ground gets dangerously hot. The trails are sketchy, bring water n maybe bring a buddy or protection. I did walked them almost all the way through but had to turn back cuz water. Its cute small trail. Gives nicer view of Teco facility n may see manatees. I seen Hares also n randomly snakes. No clue on gators. But it is Florida. Can see Down Town Tampa from Tower also! Ph yeah free parking! Update: yes theres bathroom!s

    A lovely little beach for lounging, soaking up sun, and listening to the surf. There are many signs…read morethat discourage any swimming or wading. We were visiting in late January, so we weren't aiming to get into the water anyway, just enjoy the beach biome. This beach is quite close to the manatee viewing center and you're likely to see manatees here too as a result. I spotted a half dozen while here! Fair number of fishers here, as there are pipes to prop your rod in. Nice large parking area to accommodate visitors. Many picnic tables. An awesome (and accessible) viewing structure takes you up around fifty feet so you can look out with a 360 view! Bathrooms with running water available, no gender specified. (Love that!)

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    Bell Creek Nature Preserve - hiking - Updated June 2026

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