Great area for bird watching!…read more We parked in the free lot, climbed some of the hill, and then crossed the street for a short walk to the water viewing wooden piers. We were able to see some great birds and the water was beautiful. Very peaceful area that we could've easily spent more time in. It was sweltering outside so make sure to bring a sun umbrella, hat, and water.

We visited Celery Fields on a recent Monday morning, with the hope of seeing and photographing…read more sandhill cranes, roseate spoonbills, and other birds. We were partially successful. There are 2 buildings adjacent to the main parking lot at Celery Fields. Each has a purple martin house, and both of these were very active when we were there. One of the buildings houses Audubon Society volunteers who can advise you where to see birds. There's a small garden outside of this building that's worth a visit. The other building, on the opposite side of the parking lot, has rest rooms. There's a crosswalk across Palmer Blvd. near the parking lot, leading to a boardwalk over a marshy area. A recent rain attracted quite a few birds when we were there in mid-March 2026. At the end of the boardwalk there's a gazebo for observing the birds. Another marshy area and gazebo is along Raymond Rd. Parking is available on the grass along the road. There was lots of bird activity. We saw many varieties, including herons, egrets, a caracara, a northern harrier, ibises, wood storks, gallinule, osprey, anhinga, and many others. There are lots of trails near the marshes, in addition to the boardwalks. Celery Fields is a great spot to go hikng and birding. Sunscreen is advisable because most of the areas are not shaded.

The name is in reference to the winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Although I…read morecouldn't penetrate deeper that a couple of hundred yards beyond the entrance and posted signs, this 14+ acre preserve is another good place to go to explore. While walking the unpaved walking trails you'll be likely to see Res Shoulder Hawks, Barred Owls, you'll hear sing birds but don't just look up, keep one eye down as there's a good chance of crossing paths with some turtles. The bulletin of atomic scientists say that we're 90 seconds to midnight, the clock is meant to spark conversion of global catastrophe, the clock has never reached midnight but it's getting closer. Earth experienced it's hottest year, fires, floods, oil spills, viruses, mineral mining machines, resource scarcity and pollution, economic models, wars and now AI is threatening civilization in countless ways. We really don't want to get to midnight and we probably won't know it when we do. Admittedly I'm a doomer and I'm prepared but the search for safe spots is always ongoing and I like to map out new areas in the wooded places and areas that I can get to in a jiffy and set-up for the waiting while the industrial organism unwinds.

Love this park my little therapy. There are a few of these massive and old kapok trees. This one…read morefell over likely in the 2 big hurricanes but still alive and thriving. Very big park lots of views, turtles, gators, birds etc

A medium-sized, relatively well-kept and beautiful park with a number of old trees and a variety of…read moreecosystems. The walking trail goes in a loop and is pretty short. Always enough room to park a car. Unfortunately, rule enforcement at this park and many others in the Tampa Bay area seems non-existent as we regularly come across unapologetic violators, i.e. loud motorcycles literally speeding through or roaming around, dogs not kept on a leash and invading people's personal space, people watching videos on their phone on speaker, etc. This keeps getting worse and Law Enforcement is too slow to respond.

A beautiful state park to explore. We only went to do some…read moretrail walking and found it pleasant and peaceful. You can walk along a tree lined trail by a canal and from there branch off onto other loops. Beautiful Florida fora and fauna!

I love exploring new parks, so I couldn't wait to try this one out. Plenty of parking, and the park…read morewas free, both of which are great. We took a picture of the map, and I'm glad we did, because it would be easy to get turned around in there. Unfortunately there is no great flow to the walking paths and trails. Many of the trails intersect with each other, and while well-marked, we found ourselves just walking aimlessly. The bodies of water we passed were murky, and the swamp smell was pretty strong. Also, one of the boardwalks was closed the day we were there, so we couldn't explore that area. They do offer disc golf there, which I think is a cool idea. Plus, there is a free butterfly garden in the park, although nothing was blooming in it so we only saw two butterflies. One of the things I enjoy most about Florida parks is all the wildlife you get to see - and that did not happen here; we saw one heron (or egret?) and that was it. It is very well maintained for a free park, though, so if you're in the area you should stop in and experience it.

There are many trails, most of them have a good shade. I went to hike, some hiking trails are…read moreshared with biking trails so you have to pay attention. I wish the trails were marked better to make it easier to new comers. We didn't get lost but it was not clear where a hiking trail ends to become a hiking+biking one. Watch out.

This Park was nice! I went for the hiking trails, and it was…read moreeasy to find because the staff was very helpful and the park has a lot of signs. They have a place to rent Ikes, and the biking trials look amazing.

Disappointed they don't allow dogs and no mention of this til youre right at the opening.read more

What a great experience. We saw so many interesting animals and birds and the view from the bridge…read moreon Lake Maggiore was fabulous. I feel like it's a place you can go over and over again and always see new things.

At dawn we drift where the still reeds sigh, Silver line…read morekissing a blushing sky. Egrets stitch light through the cypress air, Herons pause--like thoughts we share. An alligator glides, old moon on the tide, Ancient eyes watching love pass by. Cast after cast, the world slows its breath-- Hooked not on fish, but the hush of this depth. Hand in hand where the water remembers, We fall in love with the day's soft embers.

We got to see an alligator in the pond swim around. Worth the quick trip just for this!read more

We were excited at first, but as someone else mentioned, make sure you bring bug spray!read more

Terra Ceia Preserve State Park is 2,000 acres of diverse ecosystems including mangrove forests,…read morefreshwater and saltwater wetlands, and uplands communities. There are no facilities so plan ahead to bring bug spray, water and a bag for trash. This preserve is undergoing habitat restoration to return agricultural land to its natural and ecologically diverse condition. It is a great place to take a hike on many of the trails or go birding. You can see native and migrating birds along the trails. Common birds like little blue herons, white ibis found wading along the shore, bald eagle flying and, my favorite, roseate spoonbills wading in the shallows. Fishing is allowed in the saltwater and freshwater mix. Kayaking and canoes are a great way to see the preserve, too. The unimproved boat ramp at Bishop Harbor is the closest place to launch. Though, canoe/kayak launches can be found on Bishop Harbor Road and Stotz Road. I like Terra Ceia and would definitely go back. I like that it is being restored and the wildlife is returning. It's wonderful to have these areas being restored for people and wildlife to enjoy. Check the website before going for updates and more information.

The moneys been put in the box at the booth, it's five bucks and The Honor System is used - thena…read moreseries of slow winding snake turns up the next half mile past the canoe launch and into the parking lot & picnic area where there's also a little playground set up for screaming kids. Last week we explored to the East, logic dictates we head West because there's more land, more trails and a brisk twenty minutes in, past the equestrian area and I had wished I brought my compass . So I looked to the sun, it was my nearing 9:45AM so I made a quick little sundial and determined my bearings, keeping the rays at my right shoulder, a tall pine in the distance for extra measure. So quickly the terrain can change from soft and slow white sand to fast packed non-silty soil to brown and boggy muddy to green and lush all within a stones throw in any direction. Know this friends - you'll be given no help from signage - only arrows , there are numbers from 15 to 3 - yet, not telling ya anything at all - no maps at the gate, nobody in the booth at the gate - nobody official looking around, so be aware of that if you want to see beyond the next turn. Getting turned around is easier than going straight towards the trails end. I assumed that the 15 I saw, then the 7 I saw then the 3&4 means I'd be on a cylindrical circumnavigation - looping back to the pavement that takes you in and separated the two very different sides of the park. We came up on Dude Lake and here in this primitive shallow shored lake - along with birds, turtles are sounds unique to my ears, movements in the brush that have the dogs diving into and thrashing within - only to pop out from the other side dumbfounded and disappointed. There are things that are unseen underneath - human penetration is virtually impossible without damaging the plants, vines and thick green entanglements. I believe these are small creatures, whatever they are but emit the most beautiful sounds, whatever they are.

Nice area to go camping. The rangers explained where to go and bathroom has easy access to find.read more