Great park! Went to the Bruce B Downs entrance. Parking was plentiful and only $2. It's a nice 11 mile loop. They offer rest areas and water stations. Very pretty, clean, and well maintained. read more

Its a very nice park. The riders and walkers are friendly, for the most part. I Propose regulating e-bikes. E bikes on trails should be 100% manual power. Joyriders cruising by at 25 or 30 mph are a hazard. Also please limit ear bud use to 1 ear so you can hear riders overtaking you. read more

Flatwoods Park is a great place to bike. It has convenient parking, a good amount of shade on the 7 mile loop and convenient rest stops with ice cold water. read more

Great outdoor space in Tampa. Depending on where you enter will determine your activity. There are 6 points of entry into this huge park. I think the most popular entry points are Morris Bridge, Flatwoods, and Bruce B Downs. Parking is fairly ample, but the Bruce B Downs lot probably fills the fastest. Parking will cost you $2.00 for an all-day pass. If you enter at Morris Bridge or at "The Hole In The Fence" or at the lot nearest to the Hillsborough River, you'll be riding or running on dirt. You can also launch small boats from Trout Creek or at the Hillsborough River point. The Flatwoods Park is a 7 mile paved loop surrounded by a wooded area. Within the loop is a 7 mile dirt trail that connects to the other entry points. On the paved loop many people come out to run, ride, or Rollerblade. It's scenic and there's a good chance you can see deer, turkey, or hogs. There are also well stocked water stops along the way. There are 3 areas that have restrooms - Bruce B Downs, Flatwoods, and Trout Creek. read more

I absolutely lovedddd this park!!! It is so beautiful. You can walk and not get tired because you're surrounded by beauty. I came here with a group of people who hiked, some ran and others just walked. I think it's so beautiful, and a must see place. I am planning to come Here again and bring my friends and family. Highly recommend read more

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It's easy to lose track of time here- my bf and I walked about 3.5 miles without realizing it. This is a great place to take an early morning or evening walk in the summer. There isn't much shade on the main trail so I'd avoid coming here during the day unless you're a big fan of the sun!! The main trail is paved and very wide, leaving room for walkers, runners, bicyclists, etc. There are also some nice wooded trails to check out to get some shade. Bathrooms are available at the entrance as well as a good sized parking lot that charges $2 per car per day. read more

Flatwoods is amazing! Wonderful hydration stations , always ice cold. great for long run days .

I really like this park! Entrance is $2 and well worth it. The main path is a paved road that is very wide and smooth. The scenery is beautiful. We went in the evening which was perfect; it may be too hot during midday with the sun beaming down on the asphalt. We decided to be adventurous and turn into a woodsy path called "Panther." Besides a sign that read the name of the path, and arrows pointing to the entrance and exit, there isn't much additional info about it (how long it is, that it is actually a mountain biking trail, etc.) and there aren't any markers on the path itself either. The path is clear, so you won't get lost, but still I think it is important to have markers especially on a longer and windy trail. We had to Google it midway through our walk to see if we would ever get out! (FYI - it's about two miles long). We ended up walking about 4.5 miles easily and there is plenty more to explore as well. This park would be great for runners, walkers, skateboarders, rollerbladers, bikers etc. We will be exploring again! read more

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Location entrance looks like a mobil home unit. For the entrance can we have a fancy park structure, nature lounge cafe and gift shop? Needs more educational Florida wildlife info and signs. Had a disappointing experience my last visit with my wife and mother-n-law. Some people on bikes here pretend they own the place and are very rude. We own a house walking distance across the street and just want to enjoy our local park. Guy on bike stops in front of us and ask what are we doing, and what are we doing here? Replied We are walking with our pet and enjoying the local park. He just looked angry and evil at us, so we left and never looked back. The park is just some uneven strips of asphalt in an area cleared of trees. I couldnt even find a nature trail. read more

I freakin love this loop! For a place to run, walk, bike, rollerblade and explore, this place is the best around. Accessible from 2 exits off I75, this 8 mile loop is great for long runs or multiple loops on a bicycle. There's facilities at both parking lots, and multiple water stations on the loop that are always stocked with cool, refreshing water. They're located about every 2 miles so you don't need to lug your own water with you. Open from dawn till dusk, there's times you can run this route and not see a soul. Switching off the tunes you can become one with nature and your breathing - quite relaxing! Highly recommend this park for you exercise buffs out there. $2 for parking is a steal for this great place! read more

This is a great green area to walk or ride one's bike. There is a small fee to park. Greenway is plenty long and was great for an afternoon walk. I would caution that during the summer it could be extremely hot. read more

Flatwoods Park - Nice abs clean paved path. - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Beautiful woods and lots of people so ya feel a bit safer. 16 year old niece is a cross country runner and wants me to start doing 5k runs so here I am training to "try" to keep up ;-) read more

I read the reviews for this park and thought it would be an awesome spot for outdoor fun activities. I brought a friend with on this adventure and I was excited to test out this 11 mile pathway. We arrived to Flatwoods and this park is beautiful however, things went downhill when we arrived. We made a wrong turn in the rangers station but we were able to turn around and find the parking lot. We noticed a truck was following us after we came out of the ranger area and parked in the parking lot. After the truck drove passed I realized it was the ranger. The ranger parked right in front of our car. I thought the ranger was going to check on us and ask if we were ok. However, the ranger eerily watched us and didn't leave until we paid for parking. It was really an uncomfortable feeling and the people using the park on that day helped to increase this feeling. I wish I could say this park was awesome but unfortunately my visit was weird. read more

I can't believe a park like this is just sitting in Tampa and I've never heard of it. This place is beautiful(extremely hot) but beautiful. If you like to bike, run or just take a walk this is the place for you. I only got about 2 miles in but I think it goes in a loop for about 8-10 miles so Ifs perfect for anyone that likes to bike or do distance running. It wasn't crowded with people and I went in the middle of the day on a Saturday so that was great you don't have to worry about getting ran over by somebody on a bike if you're running and you don't have to worry about cracking into someone if you're on a bike it's great. It costs $2 to park all day. The parking lot is kind of small but there weren't many cars I think a lot of the people that live in the surrounding area use the trail so parking is never really full. read more

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As someone who had not been able to ride a bicycle since age 13 due to an undiagnosed disability, the seven miles of park (which includes paved trails) in the beautiful sunshine was WONDERFUL. I rode a bike! And I loved it! This park is inexpensive ($2 per carload of 8 max), very clean, & it offers cold water & bathrooms. What's not to like?!? Next time I'd love to approach the trails from the Morris Bridge Road access point-- less city & more nature. This busy park is a true gem among all the growing bustle of North Tampa. What a great outdoor experience for a newbie to cycling! read more

What I love about Flatwoods park is there is ample parking and restrooms. The beauty of the trail is that it is asphalt and this makes it easier on my knees and hips when I run. They also have dirt trails to run on as well. The park is scenic and you can see a variety of plants and flowers when they are in season. The path is large enough for runners, bikers, skaters, walkers, joggers and woggers. I love that there are ample water stations and rangers and workers that check on the trail throughout the park. I have walked out here with friends on many occasions and I also run out here with my running group BGR. We were out last Saturday, February 7, 2015 and it was a nice and chilly morning for a run, so we enjoyed ourselves. It is nice to see other runners out and all types of people getting their exercise on. I also love that there is 11 miles of asphalt to run. You run out 2 miles to a 7 mile loop and then run back 2 miles to the parking lot. They also have bathrooms in the parking lot. The only drawback for me is that in the summer there isn't a lot of shade, so you have to ensure that you have a lot of sunscreen on and that you wear a cap. Also this past Saturday the bathrooms were not working and they had port a potty's. For me it is a long hike to get to the trail I have to come from Riverview. I wish Hillsborough County had more parks in the Southern part of the County. read more

Flatwoods Park - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I just had an amazing experience at this park for the very first time! I was trying to find somewhere new for my dog and I to go on a walk especially with such nice weather recently. As I pulled up I saw that there was a parking fee station but it was only two dollars to park which isn't horrible. They are very clean restrooms at the Bruce B Downs entrance and the whole trail seemed very clean and trash free! They have a paved section of trail as well as an off-road section which was a little more shaded. My dog loved it and we had a great time! read more

Flatwoods Park - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Great paved biking trails. Convenient locations on Bruce B Downs and Morris Bridge Roads. Plenty of parking. $2 fee is a bargain. Rest rooms, maps, water stations and open shelters. Paved paths are wide and smooth. Off road are single track, some packed, some sandy. Trail from Morris Bridge offers shade. Off road packed parallel to Bruce B access is shady. Everything else is sunny. No traffic, no cross roads and no stop signs. Just lots of pedaling read more

I've walked it, ran it, biked it, and walked it again with my dog. This is a great outdoor park for different activities. My favorite is biking off trail. They keep the off trails free of debris and safe for bike access. read more

I am definitely a fan. Took my bike out here for a 30-mile ride on Saturday morning, and it was WONDERFUL not to have to stop at traffic lights and dodge glass and nails (Tampa city riding) or dodge babies, grandmas, and clueless people on the wrong side of the path (Campbell Causeway). It costs $2 to use this park. The money pays for trail maintenance, restrooms, and water stations. I think it's a bargain. BRING CASH to pay the fee!!! There are 2 park entrances; you cannot get from one entrance/lot to the other by car. If you are a runner who would prefer to run on gravel in the the shade, I suggest using the Bruce B. Downs entrance and lot. If you're a cyclist either one should be fine as both the Bruce B. Downs entrance and the Morris Bridge Rd. entrance will provide access to the loop trail. This park has a gravel trail, multiple dirt trails through the woods for hikers and some for mountain bikers to use, and paved trails (2 miles and 1 mile) that lead from the parking areas to the 7-mile paved loop trail. If you leave from MBR and do one loop, then head back to your car, you'll be in for 9 miles. If you leave from BBD and do one loop before heading out you'll do 11 miles. I combined multiple loops with trips along the extensions to achieve 30 miles. Some people head out early and get in 50-70 miles! While you're on the loop there are regular stops with water AND trash cans, so there is no need to throw your trash on the ground (hint, hint). Bring a water bottle with you for in-between water stations, but you'll be able to refill while you're out so you don't need to bring a LOT of water. The only restrooms are at the parking areas so plan accordingly. I very much enjoyed the scenery and wildlife while I was riding. I saw a Florida Box Turtle and a HUGE Florida Cooter while I was riding (be careful of them on the trail!) as well as many bluebirds, blue jays, cardinals, and other small birds. Tons of dragonflies and other insects, there are snakes, squirrels, red-tailed hawks, vultures. I would imagine in the early morning and evening and on the hiking trails you'd see even more wildlife. It gets very hot during the middle of the day and there isn't a lot of shade on much of the paved trails. You should be fine on a bike due to the breeze you'll create but as a walker or runner I think high noon would not be the best time to be out. Although there are signs requesting faster users to call out "on your left" when passing slower users, I found that many cyclists did not so always clear yourself to be safe. Pro-Tip: Although there are great restroom facilities with flush toilets, there are no paper towels. So, if you are going to be gunked up with dust-sweat-sunscreen after your ride and want to rinse off, bring a towel with you. I washed my face and arms and had to dry off with my jersey. Here's a link to a map: https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/lh-flatwoods.html read more

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I love parks.... not grassy areas where you barbecue some ribs and listen to music but actual state parks with wildlife and hiking... Flatwoods Park is a hidden gem and one of the best ones I have been to in Tampa so far. There are two entrances: one off Bruce B. Downs and one off Morris Bridge. I would recommend the BB Downs entrance because if you enter off Morris Bridge, there is a main parking area but the road that is supposed to cut through the park is blocked so there aren't a whole lot of options of where to go, especially if you are on foot. There is a fee of $2 and it is on the honor system. I wanted to check out the welcome center/ranger station and ask some questions but it was closed... in the middle of the afternoon on a Thursday. Go figure. The people in the parking lot were nice though and loved my dog. I saw rollerbladers.... say what? People still do that? Okay. After seeing the road block, the pup and I ventured down this old deserted service road until we hit a dead end and the beginning of the "interpretive walking trail." The moment she jumped out of the car she went CRAZY! Something about this park triggered her happiest emotions. We walked through the forest and then through what seemed to be a burned down or cleared out part with no trees, weird (Flatwoods = flat woods? Who knows). We didn't see a single soul. Perhaps that was because we were on the unpaved "deserted" side of the park, or maybe it was the timing. I loved it though because I didn't have to worry about cyclists or hobos (or cycling hobos). Whether the absence of human presence was good or bad I don't really know but I felt safe enough. And anyways, anyone who attacks someone with a pitbull is really stupid anyway so I usually don't worry about it. I recommend Flatwoods Park for anyone who loves nature, hiking/walking, peace and quiet, and exploring new places. Bring your dog! After all, pets make every experience better everytime! Enjoy. read more

Flatwoods Park - road to nowhere... - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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When I think of Flatwoods Park, I think of going on a date with a totally hot girl (or guy) that you have been crushing on for years. Unfortunately, you don't go on that date alone. You opt to bring your friends along. These friends spend the whole evening talking when they don't need to and pretty much kill any chance you have of a perfect night. First, the good. Flatwoods is up for whatever. Every exercise phase I've gone through over the years has been supported 100 percent by the park. I've run there, walked my dog and baby, biked on the trails, waded through knee deep water, bounced on a pogo stick, rollerbladed, grew delirious from sun exposure, dodged snakes and...well I'm not going to divulge that one (let's just say it wasn't my finest hour). The park offers a little something for everyone, no matter what you are into. Flatwoods also allows you to individualize your visit. There are two entrances that give you two completely different experiences. If you enter from the one off of Bruce B. Downs, you'll feel like a city dweller hitting the park for some recreational time. Businesses, restaurants, apartment complexes, upscale homes and a noisy highway are all within sight (or in the case of Chili's, smell). Enter from Morris Bridge Road and you'll feel like the weekend warrior escaping civilization. There are very little man made structures around these parts, just a few homes, churches and county sponsored organizations. Other than that, its you and nature (oh, and the occasional biker). Once inside the park you can choose to hang on the paved loop where your chances of human interaction are great or you can hit the off road trails and check out Flatwoods curves in a more private manner. Flatwoods also takes care of your bodily needs better than most parks around as it not only offers a shower (hose off area) and bathrooms but there are water stations and covered gazebos all along the loop. So what's not to like about Flatwoods? Mainly the other people that go there on weekends. Don't get me wrong, most of the people that use Flatwoods are great. I just can't stand some of the bikers who cruise the loop and feel it is necessary to scream in your ear "ON YOUR LEFT" when they come up behind you. I get their reasoning for it, I really do. Its a safety thing and some of those "super athletes" are traveling at really fast speeds and they don't want someone darting out in front of them causing a bad situation for everyone involved. But for goodness sakes when I'm not even running on the blacktop you don't have to scream that you are on my left. When you are one, slightly overweight guy, biking a mile an hour or two faster than I can run, you don't need to yell that you are on my left. And when I'm sitting down on a bench, under the gazebo, getting a drink of water, you don't need to look at me and yell on your left. Overall I like the versatility and amenities that Flatwoods offers. I just wish some of the visitors didn't feel the need to talk so much. read more

If I could build a cottage inside the park I would. This park has stolen my heart. If you're into road cycling....this tiny park is for you. There is an 11.4 mile loop from start in the parking lot to finish in the parking lot on Bruce B Downs Blvd. that makes the best place for getting in some cardio. If your looking for a longer rife you can hit up the loop over n over ...7 miles each circle. All of the people in the park are wonderful. They are all kind and inviting. We have the best time chatting and sipping on water and our sports drinks. There are water stations throughout the park making good social hangouts for cyclists. Many runners, skaters, hikers, road bikers, and mountain bikers all gather on a daily basis to enjoy Mother Nature and get in some great exercise. In any given day you will see an array of animals from snakes, deer, bears, gators, and wild pigs...great for animal lovers. I would 100% recommend Flatwoods ....great times are ahead if your heading to this park read more

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First time doing the trail walk at Flatwoods wilderness park. Quite an experience overall. Long paved trails including bike trails as well. Make sure you bring a credit card with you to pay for parking which is $2. Besides that the scenery was impeccable and you get to see some of the wildlife there as well. I caught a glimpse of a deer on my trail. Great thing about it is that every mile and a half there was a water station that had cups and cool water to drink. That made it easier to walk the 6 miles I had set before me. You'll see people walking, bike riding, rollerblading, running, and etc... I would advise you to bring your own bike or rent a bike from a local store. Next time I'll definitely bring a bike with me since its a workout. read more

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I came to Flatwoods bright and early to run on the paved road and WOW, what on earth took me so long to come here? To be fair, Flatwoods is rather far away from me, but I think it's well worth the drive. There's a good 11 miles of pavement for runners and bikers and more options for more miles if you add different paths. The majority of the pavement was shaded when I ran it, something that is very welcome in the Florida heat. I totally love Bayshore and enjoy running it, but the sun is unbearable at times, and when it hits the water, it can be pretty blinding. The park itself is pretty peaceful. There are a ton of people using it, but it never felt crowded. There are lots of little trails in the park which is good for off-road trail running or just some nice exploration. I've heard some people have seen various wildlife in the park -- anything from big crickets to snakes and even alligators! Thank the Lord I didn't see a gator or I might have passed out on the road right then and there. I'll totally be back here. This is really a nice piece of nature in Tampa, and one I am super happy I got to fully take in! read more

I go to Flatwoods park about twice or three times a week to walk or run! The park is beautiful and I always feel safe running there alone or with a friend. On stations on the loop there is always cold drinking water. The paths are always well maintained and clean! I have seen tons of deer, turtles and Hawks there. There is also a great playground on the path that is not the loop. Be warned though- I have also seen snakes and even a rattlesnake on the paths before. read more

Flatwoods Park - Flatwoods! - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This park is great place to trainning, 7 miles paved loop road for cycling, run, skating, walk, etc. The track is very clean just $2 per day great place. read more

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The hours of operation are 7am-8pm (not listed on yelp) like everyone else on here said there's a pay station you have to pay $2 for park in that station and then walk to where you want to go to. I came here to take a stroll and enjoy my coffee on the site I saw wooden bridges but I never even made it to them. Like it says it's 11 miles but I walked a Mile and had to turn around ! It's definitely a great park for early morning exercises but I was looking more for a pro with benches . I saw a lot of bikers next time I come Id bike read more

Flatwoods Park - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This great park is terrific When you there you feel you in the wild, which is some type of a wild park with the variety of animals you have there; bob cats, wild pigs, rattle snakes, deers, rabbits and more, watch your kids when you out there specially from the snakes they are not a joke! The trail easily accommodates plenty of traffic and the road is smooth for rollerbladers like me;) The park has 3 entrances and before I knew it I drove to the furthest one haha so make your route planes ahead of time! Oh and very important! Don't try to make your dogs walk an entire 7 miles which is how long an entire loop! There were dogs there that get dehydrated and severe conditions! Otherwise have fun:).... read more

Flatwoods Park - Rollerblading to the night - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This place is for the biker, rollerblader, or jogger that wants some peace and quiet while getting in an outdoor workout. The paths are plenty wide to accommodate a lot of traffic, but there normally isn't too much in this very secluded area where you can feel cut off from the hustle and bustle of North Tampa. The big looping road connects most of the area, with the new extension road taking you up all the way to Dona Michelle just off Bruce B. Downs. But the main loop allows you to go miles and miles and see nothing but pine trees, marshes, alligators, deer, and bobcats. There are maps inside the various picnic areas along the trails so you can't get too lost. And if you're looking to see how far you went, the mileage is posted a couple different ways to help you chart your progress. There are some non-paved trails as well for people looking to hike or mountain bike, though calling it mountain biking in an area as flat as this seems a bit counterintuitive. I haven't ventured out deep into the woods yet, but there's plenty of wildlife active in the area. Which means, as Dr. Jones would woefully mention... why does it always have to be snakes? Probably needs a couple of other things to do to make it an all-inclusive park for the community (a basketball court, some place to swim, maybe some kind of open greenspace), but as a nature preserve and a place to sweat in peace and quiet, it's a welcome oasis amongst the growing sprawl of the area. read more

Flatwoods is perfect for some great runs and bike rides! If you park on the Bruce B Downs side you can get in 11 miles from start to finish. We love doing our training out there. It's quiet but you gotta watch out for animals. Be careful if taking little ones as there are lots of cyclists early in the AM. It's better to take them later in the morning. read more

I go here to rollerblade and get my sweat on but really it's a great place to go just to clear your head. It's an 11 mile loop of paved trail that doesn't intersect and motor traffic like Upper Tampa Bay Trail. Do you know how hard/annoying it is to stop at an intersection for cars on rollerblades? Very hard. Haha. Like I said it's an 11 mile loop and there are water stations with paper cups and benches every 2-2.5 miles. The crowd is usually a mix of bikers, joggers and rollerbladers old and young and everyone is very friendly. It's a great trail for beginners who just want to do a mile or two (there are mile markers to let you know how far you've gone) and I know a lot of bikers who just keep going around the 7 mile loop portion of the trail to rack up the miles. There are also trails for the mountain bikers as well that go throughout the park. Since I don't have a bike, let alone a mountain bike I've never been on it. I enjoy it every time! read more

Sunny and clean. This is a nice place to take a stroll, skate. Walk or even bike ride. Animals are welcomed from what I saw. Just make sure you clean up behind them. There is like. A 2 dollar fee if you park your car there. Bring exact change since there aren't any change machines or people there to give change. read more

Beautiful place to walk. I walk here with a dog walking group. There are water stations, but bring your own bowl. The first mile is shaded, but then it is wide open. A nicer start to the walk is from New Tampa Nature Park, which links up to Flatwoods. The Saturday bicyclists at this park are rude, and they think they own the place. They never yield to walkers, and seem to hate dogs. This park is much nicer during the week or in the evenings. read more

This is a biking and walking park. Nice hiking trails through the woods where you are likely to see deer and pigs. The paved trail runs from both entrances and provides great distance and lap oriented biking throughout the park. There are offroad trails as well. Walkers need to be aware and stay to the sides or at least move to the side and bikers need to make their approach heard - fairly standard procedure for shared trails. Lot of families and leashed dogs as well as serious bikers and hikers. When it is rainy there can be low spots with water in the trail. Only $2 to park and use the park - a real steal! read more

If you are a cyclist then this is a place to go to get some long distance rides without car traffic. The loop is 7 miles, I usually get over 100miles in one weekend..It's not really a good place for kids though unless they like long bike rides...There is a 20 mile mostly single track trail system that connects between three parks for trail bikes and mountain bikes...This is the main entrance ---14302 Morris Bridge Road Thonotosassa, FL 33592 read more

Flatwoods Park - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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For the lack of good bike trails with a small to mid range challenge, this was a great ride. I do recommend, one area or two had held some rain and was muddled out but otherwise small obstacles and decent length for beginner to intermediate. read more

Flatwoods Park - Feb. 4th 2016, some muddy spots, but great 10 mile trail. Panther is a long, rooted trail, get ready to grip those handlebars. - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I have been biking at Flatwoods since about 2007. It is a wonderful place for road and off road bicycling, walking, running, rollerblading or hiking. We had not been for about two years and recently started biking again. There have been many improvements since we were last there. Prior to the improvements I would not have recommended it for rollerblading. There are two entrances and a parking fee of $2.00 which you can now pay using cash, credit or debit card (a great convince). You can also purchase an annual pass or I'd qualified get a free pass based on military disability. The distance is marked along the path and there are for water stations with cold water, benches, bike racks and a covering for protection from the sun or rain. read more

What an amazing gem hidden in the middle of New Tampa. A safe easily accessible place to run, bike, walk or hike. Nicely paved 9 mile loop and lots of off road trails. Water rest stations throughout. read more

Hubby and I came here for a quick Saturday bike ride. This place has nice paved trails and great scenery. There are multiple trails and entrances. There are bathrooms, water stations and picnic tables all along the trail. It's a great spot for bikers, walkers, skaters, or someone wanting to go for a stroll with thier kids or pets. Parking is $2. We will definitely be back! read more