Lake Roger's Park is a hidden gem. You feel like you are away from the world, but hear a car every…read morenow and then to remind you the road is not far away. I found that comforting considering we were skittish on the hiking trail with barely any people and lots of animal noises. That said, had a great time. We took the Red Loop around Roger's Lake. Path is a mix of sand, dirt, and tree roots. Well maintained and relatively flat so safe for kiddos and pets. Path is clearly marked and you can't get lost. A big loop with frequent intersections to the blue path. Park is easy to find right off the main road. Parking was easy in the lot with a kiosk to pay the flat $2 all day parking fee. There are a couple Port-O-Potties near the parking lot but none in the park so plan accordingly. I saw several pavilions, benches, water bladders for refills (I definitely suggest bringing your own because how long as that water been there), and there was plenty of shade throughout the park. The views are lovely. Lots of nature to enjoy in peace. I saw a few people with dogs, but not crowded by any means. Also very clean. No trash thrown about. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and hope to go again.

This is a very nice, well-maintained 272 acre county park & preserve on Lake Rogers that is open…read morefrom 7 AM to 6 PM daily. It officially opened in March 2000. A full day ticket is $2 (cash or credit); place the ticket on your dashboard. Near the park's entrance are three portable toilets. There are benches; covered picnic areas (some w/ grills); two water stations complete w/ paper cups; plant & animal signage; a nature trail; & side trails. There are 2.25 miles of trails & three levels -- easy or short (green), intermediate or longer (blue), and hardest or longest (red). They are well-maintained & include the following trail floors: dirt, sand, grass, & fallen leaves. One section of the trail is marked "Birding Trail." Oak & Pine trees are prevalent throughout the park. Due to some small tree roots crisscrossing sections of the trail (see pic), unlike another Yelper I do not recommend this park for the elderly or disabled. There is a canoe/kayak launch area & a fishing area for "catch and release catfish & bass." There's also a trail that overlooks neighboring Raleigh Lake. Animals you may see include bald eagles, osprey, & wading birds, as well as opossums, raccoons, & otters. (We unfortunately saw just ants, butterflies, bees, & dragonflies.) The park includes Flatwoods & oak hammocks. In some areas, the tall trees will protect you from the sun. In others, it's full sun (& hot)! Camping for 501c youth groups is offered @ $2 per person. Reservations can be made for a minimum of 12 campers. Amenities include: portable water, fire pits, picnic tables, & access to restrooms & showers. There are two camping sites; one holds a maximum of 25 campers. The other holds a maximum of 50. Phone #813.264.3806 to book your outing. This was a pleasant hiking experience in a clean park. We came across just two separate hikers in the park-- both experienced hikers...and each oddly masked:) The only suggestion I would make to the park overseers is to mark the trails better; there were no markers each time a trail came to a "V" before separating. It was a tad perplexing, but not a major concern. Will definitely return to hike a different trail here if in the area again.

(This review is only for the haunted drive-through event held at the park on October 26, 2024)…read more Cons: Very long waits. Over an hour in line in the car without a bathroom in sight. Might have needed a flashing light warning for epileptics. Pros: Nice people, and good that it was done for charity (Hurricane relief). Good costumes, especially toward the end by the tree service folks. I should have got pictures of that but I was giggling and jump-scaring by then.

Beautiful wildlife area! Easy to get to and easy to navigate once there. Lots of wildlife!read more

If you wish get away from the city for a few minutes without having to travel far Lake Park should…read morebe on your to do list. I attended a friend's Christmas holiday event at Lake Park and it was surprising to find out what I had overlooked the last time I was there. This park has a number of FUN-dementals to offer the average city slicker. The park currently offers canoeing (weather permitting). Which we will go back in Spring to try out. They have a BMX ramp/exhibit which has areas for practicing *BMX membership required for practice. They have 3 hiking trails that span out about 1.5- 3 miles. **You can ride bikes also. It has 2 lakes: Jackson & Starvation which allows fishing and camping is allowed for non profit organizations. The park does have a few shelters for rent and if they are not reserved on a particular day they are first come first serve. Along with all of the things mentioned above the park offers a gazebo for intimate affairs like marriages. A horse-show.**Select dates. It has a volleyball space and an archery ramp. There's so much more to see at this beautiful conservatory I want you to make plans for that trip sooner than later!!

This park has an outdoor archery range. If you are a bow hunter and you live in north Hillsborough…read moreCounty, this is a good place to keep your skills sharp.

My husband moved to Land O Lakes in August. Not having seen any alligators since moving here we…read morewent on a drive to the Starky Ranch area where we were told we would find some. While we were on our mission, we found this gem of a park. The signage says that the park is for residents and it seems that you can pay a fee to use the park but I couldn't find any information. We parked and walked around. It was beautiful. A paved trail around a lake and plenty of birds to see. I plan on returning and would be happy to pay a non resident fee if I have to.

My kid saw a gator and then started chasing me and my kid we got out the trail and in the car safe…read morethough

Just exploring in the area, nothing special about this park…read more Just came to walk my dog but of course with this Florida year, it was a bad idea. As fast as I. Awe I left.

Just recently purchased a new bike and friends told me that I had to bike here. Parking is simple…read moreand right off the path.. A two dollar fee to park is required. The path is smooth and well maintained and easy to navigate for a new bike rider. It is great place to hang out with other outdoor minded people and would suggest it to anyone wanting to walk, bike and otherwise get active!

Since moving to the Sun State about 5 years ago, it has become a Thanksgiving day tradition to ride…read morea 100 miles from Key Largo to Key West with Reid M, who drives down all the way from Virginia to do it with me. This year Reid wanted to explore some different Florida trails and we decided to do a couple of different trails that were about 50 miles each. The first was the Sun Coast trail and the second was the Withlacoochee State Trail. Due to the logistics we had to ride these trails on different days, as we had to park cars at each end of the trail. We rode Suncoast first and while it was next to a highway on one side which was less appealing, there was still quite a bit of wild life on it, including crocodiles, and plenty of birds and tortoise. Additionally, there were quite a few good hills with nice overpasses. We had the trail pretty much to ourself. Really enjoyed it. One cute thing was that there were runners bibs that had been ironed onto the asphalt every 50 yards. Very cute. I recommend it highly!

Lake Dan Preserve is a cool enough place to spend a bit of time. It gives us a glimpse of untamed…read moreFlorida and reminds us that before tourism and theme parks forever changed the landscape of the Sunshine State, Florida was wild and untamed. I enjoy seeking out these places when I am traveling for business. It is great to find these hidden gems. One of the great things about traveling for work are these discoveries. I seek them out and am better for finding them. I encourage you to check this place out and seek out these hidden gems whether in your travels or even right there in your community.

Lake Dan Preserve is hidden in the back of a neighborhood with no signs on Tarpon Springs Rd…read moreindicating it's existence. If I lived nearby I'd keep it that way because this Hillsborough county park was an unexpected find that I thought was a beaut. At first glance, a small parking lot, playground and pavilion isn't much. However, once on the hiking trail a nice boardwalk with benches goes over a large lake. I used a trail guide from a QR code that led me to a Hillsborough park website to help me navigate because most signs in the park are colored posts and colors on trees indicating the path the hiker is on. I didn't see any signs indicating where paths went or their distance once at the park When I visited Lake Dan Preserve, I went straight (over the bridge/boardwalk) and took the second left (the red trail) and a few feet down is a picturesque lake that would make a great back drop for photos or an amazing place to relax by a small pond. Turn right and go down the yellow trail and you can hike into neighbouring Lake Francis Preserve. I choose to vear off and hike the connecting blue trail. The blue trail goes down a gravel road into several large open pastures. I must've said this is gorgeous 15 times. A short time later the trail turns as the back side of Trinity starts to come into view in the distance. As the path continues, it leads to Lake Dan and a fishing pier. It's basically a shorter version of the park's entrance bridge looking out a vibrant and large lake. Birds, fish and some cows mooing in the distance makes the pier a nice place to relax. Although, I can't imagine hiking that distance to find it crowded. When I visited Lake Dan my car was the only one in the parking lot and I didn't see another person inside the park. I plan on visiting this preserve again as I thought some it's views we're nice enough to be back drops in movie scenes. It's wide open spaces and lack of people inside made it's trails an excellent place to enjoy a peaceful hike.

Nature preserve full of long and winding hiking trails throughout quiet forest. I enjoy walking…read morealong the sandy paths and boardwalks for a couple of hours, often spotting deer and tortoises. There's an education center, clean bathrooms, and ample parking as well.

Well taken care of wetlands preserve. I hiked the entire 4 miles of trails in less than two hours…read more(experienced hiker averaging 2.7 mph). Mostly flat (300 total feet of elevation), with some swampy areas backside of wilderness trail. No more than a couple of inches that you would hike in...just keep the waterway in sight when you hit those areas as there are usually several dryish routes paralleling the water.

I wanted to express my gratitude to Ian who is new to the ground keeping job. He has been nothing…read morebut extraordinary in his prompt attention to the much needed trail maintenance. Ian not only is very efficient, but he is extremely helpful and friendly. Whoever hired him.. thank you! This man is a gem! I run in the park everyday.

If you want to connect with nature and feel like bella in the woods then come here. A gorgeous…read moresilent wood area that has so many winding beautiful roads allowing you to take different routes. I would come back here a million times if I lived close. Such a wood like area away from the palm trees of florida.

Cute area with tons of fields. Lots of parking and picnic tables which are perfect for get…read moretogethers! Along side it are empty patches of grass where me and my friends had a picnic and we loved it!

Small and busy park when I visited today but there were a nest of osprey and a nest of owl in the…read moremiddle of all the action !