75+ Fantastic Florida Road Trips From Tampa

Road trips – one of our favorite activities as Americans. Just jump in the car and see where the road takes you. As a destination state, Florida road trips are among the most popular vacations. It seems nearly every corner of Florida has something neat to see. Tampa’s location in the middle of the state makes it an ideal base, and this list shows there are a lot of road trips from Tampa to indulge in.

For these road trips, I used oalley.net to calculate a distance of 2 hours driving time from downtown Tampa, then I used Google Maps and my own knowledge of the area to find fun road trips.

The idea is to be able to make it to a destination, and using road trip travel hacks, enjoy it, and get back to Tampa in one day. No overnighters required here! Though, of course, if you want to make a weekend out of some these locations, that’s 100% doable, too. Here’s my Oalley map:

As you can see, it has a strange shape, and that’s because the more rural parts of the state or those with an expressway will enable us to drive faster and further. I then divided the map into three sections to group those activities together. I’ve also included all the state parks and nature preserves because those are favorite locations of mine, and they really show off Florida’s history and natural resources.

If you’re headed to Florida…or if you live here…take a road trip! I was so surprised to come up with this many places to visit, and now I need to start taking more road trips from Tampa myself to see some of these places. Road trips are also a great way to spend a day (or weekend) with the kids, especially with this survival guide for road tripping with kids, or with teens igniting meaningful conversations which will bring everyone closer together as a family.

Road Trips East from Tampa

The East Third area includes Orlando, Kissimmee, and Lakeland. This area provides a huge range of road trip options – theme parks, state parks, freshwater springs, and several outdoor adventures like airboat tours and a wilderness ranch.

Ride an Airboat

We normally think of airboat tours happening in the Everglades; however, the area around Kissimmee is filled with lakes perfect for airboat rides. Several outfitters offer airboat adventures, such as Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, Wild Florida Airboat Tours & Gator Park, and Kissimmee Swamp Tours.

Find the Beauty at Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower Gardens is one of Florida’s first attractions. With 250 acres of gardensand a 205-foot tall singing tower, visitors have stopped here since 1929. The gardens also include a 20 room Mediterranean-style mansion and 2.5 acre childrens’ garden. The grounds are part of the Great Florida Birding Trail as well as home to the endangered gopher tortoise and indigo snake.

Celebrate in Celebration

The town of Celebration, Florida is what happens when Disney creates a town IRL. In the 1990s, Disney started development on 4,900 acres outside of Walt Disney World. Residential development occurred in two phases, and in 2001 the town earned the title “New Community of the Year” by the Urban Land Institute. So, why visit? To see what Disney developers were able to accomplish. They collaborated with leaders in education, technology, health, planning, and architecture to develop a town worthy of Walt Disney’s vision for a prototype community of tomorrow. The town is a favorite for the downtown’s small town vibe and many shops and restaurants.

“Awesome Awaits” at Legoland

Legoland Florida builds an entire theme park around legos. It’s the perfect theme park for families who have lego-crazy kids. The theme park includes more than 50 rides, building and creation zones, a botanical garden (formerly Cypress Gardens), Ninjago training camp, shows in the 4D theater, and a water park. Though it’s easy to make a day trip of Legoland from either Tampa or Orlando (it’s only an hour from each of those cities), visitors who choose to play here for more than a day have the option of staying in one of Legoland Florida’s themed hotels.

Find Your Inner Child at Magic Kingdom

Florida’s favorite theme park lies less than two hours from Tampa. If you’re in Tampa to visit family or the beaches and want to add on a theme park, you can’t go wrong with Disney’s Magic Kingdom. The “most magical place on Earth” has rides, character encounters, shows, fireworks, dining, shopping, and so much more. We don’t visit often but always have a great time when we do. The park is divided into sections such as Tomorrowland, Adventureland, and Fantasyland. End each evening with a parade and fireworks.

Go Antiquing in Mount Dora

Mount Dora exudes small town charm, and it you love that vibe paired with cute boutiques and antiques, consider this road trip from Tampa. This small central Florida town finds itself on many “best small town” lists often. Spend a day antiquing and eat lunch in one of the quaint cafes. Or plan a longer trip with an overnight in one of the bed & breakfast houses, such as Lakeside Inn or Farnsworth House.

Find Fossils in the Peace River

Though you can go fossil hunting at any place along the Peace River where you find public access, if you’re new to it, taking a guided tour might be the way to go for you. Fossil hunting involves getting in the river, preferably when water levels are low, with a floating screen that filters out the larger items from the river bottom, such as medalodon teeth and other fossils. Several outfitters near the river between Arcadia and Wauchulla offer their services for this uniquely Florida activity.

Take a Safari at Safari Wilderness Ranch

Safari Wilderness Ranch near Lakeland, Florida offers one of the more unique adventures in Florida – a safari…by ATV, vehicle, camel, or kayak. Located on 260 acres surrounded by the Green Swamp Wilderness area, the Ranch houses exotic animals such as eland, zebra, and watusi. It is a working game ranch so daily visitors are limited.

Be Wowed at Solomon’s Castle

Howard Solomon had a dream – create a castle and give his family a kingdom. He did both with Solomon’s Castle. The aluminum castle filled with Solomon’s art welcomes the public to the home, workshop, and galleries. Spend the day exploring all of the unique artwork and grounds and stop for a bite to eat in the on-site restaurant. It’s guaranteed to be a Florida road trip like no other.

Road Trips North From Tampa

When you head out to the North Third, you’ll find towns such as Crystal River, Leesburg, and Spring Hill. Much of this area is less densely populated and less well-known to visitors. What you will find in this part of Florida are the fabulous freshwater springs, manatees, and lots of beautiful, natural Florida.

Paddle Alexander Springs

Paddle…as in go kayaking or canoeing. Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest is one of Florida’s most natural and beautiful spring runs. It’s a favorite among kayak enthusiasts as are most of the other springs in the Ocala National Forest. These are places deep in the heart of Florida, where you can still encounter wild alligators, otters, snakes, bear, and deer. Most of the time, though, if you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone and present a wonderful (far away) photo op.

Paddle the Chassahowitzka River

Over on the Gulf Coast, you can also enjoy a good paddle in a kayak or canoe. The Chassahowitzka River – or the Chaz, as locals call it – is a 5-mile long spring-fed river. Popular for recreational kayaking and boating, it’s possible to kayak to the Gulf of Mexico; however, you’ll then have to paddle back upstream to the outfitter or boat ramp. Most people stay in the upper third of the river where the water runs clear and cool thanks to the freshwater springs which feed it.

See America’s Best Beach – Clearwater Beach

TripAdvisor named Clearwater Beach the #1 beach in the United States for a second year in a row in 2019. It’s no secret why this is one of the most popular beaches in the Tampa Bay area – wide, white sandy beach stretching for miles, gentle surf perfect for swimming or soaking in, and lots of great restaurants and bars nearby to drink, eat, and be merry. Clearwater Beach provides more than sun, sand, sea, and refreshments. Take a pirate cruise, a dinner cruise, or a dolphin cruise. Stroll the broad sidewalks and shop in any of a number of beachy boutiques. Visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see the star dolphins, Hope and Winter. With so much to do, you might even decide to spend more than a day at the beach.

Play with Giraffes at Giraffe Ranch

Similar to Safari Wilderness Ranch in Lakeland, Giraffe Ranch offers a more intimate experience on 47 acres. Visitors can opt to take a tour by camel, segway, or on a shaded 4×4 with stadium seating. Upclose encounters include feeding a giraffe and petting a camel. Giraffe Ranch is a working game ranch with two breeding herds of giraffes and one of Florida’s largest herds of Irish dexter cattle.

Stroll through Historic Leesburg

One of the oldest towns in Florida, Leesburg features a number of historic buildings which will delight the history buff in you. While in Leesburg, stroll the streets of the Historic District featuring many architectural styles such as Florida Vernacular, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne; walk through Dade Battlefield State Historic Site where General Dade and his soldiers were ambushed by Seminole warriors; and tour the exhibits at the Leesburg Heritage Society and Historical Museum.

Confront Your Fear at Scream-A-Geddon

If you visit Tampa mid-September through the first week in November, and if you love horror movies and anything scary, plan to visit Scream-A-Geddon. Their website says it’s a “haunted house experience…a Halloween horror park event like no other.” Scream-A-Geddon has seven attractions, a beer garden, and a midway with food, drinks, monsters, and games. Attractions include zombie paintball, a haunted trail, and an interactive attraction during which you “may be grabbed, held back, sent into hidden rooms, removed from their group or even forced to remain…”

Explore Florida’s Original Attraction at Silver Springs

Silver Springs has been an attraction since the 1870s, making it Florida’s oldest attraction. Prior to that point, river boats vied for passengers to transport to the headwaters of the Silver River, a first magnitude spring called Silver Springs. In the 1870s, two men made the first glass-bottom boat, and a century long enterprise was born – glass bottom boat tours.

In 2013, the Florida State Park system took over Silver Springs Park, merged it with Silver River Park, and created Silver Springs State Park. Visit the park to take a glass bottom boat tour, see the Silver River Museum and Cracker Village, hike the trails, and see wildlife such as monkeys and manatees.

Go Greek in Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs makes an easy and enjoyable day trip from Tampa. It’s located in the greater Tampa Bay area, less than an hour’s drive from downtown Tampa. A day in Tarpon Springs puts you in the middle of the largest Greek community in the Florida. While exploring this small town, be sure to take a sunset cruise to Anclote Key State Park, take a sponge diving tour on one of the sponge boats, try Greek cuisine at one of the restaurants lining the sponge docks, and browse the locally-owned boutiques filled with natural sponges and handmade soaps. If time permits, head south a mile to the revitalized downtown section and see more of the history of Tarpon Springs at the history museum and in the many older buildings that line Tarpon Avenue.

Swim with Manatees at Three Sisters Springs

The Three Sisters Springs area in Crystal River remains one of the most popular places to experience Florida’s freshwater springs and see manatees. In the winter when water temperatures dip into the 60s, manatees follow the warmer water into King’s Bay. In the places where sand boils, freshwater vents, and springs flow into the river, the water maintains a constant temperature in the 70s. Three Sisters Springs showcases some of the best of natural Florida – clear waters, sandy river bottom, trees overhanging the banks. The springs are part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge so will be protected for future generations to appreciate. If you don’t have a kayak or don’t want to rent one, you can view the springs from the boardwalk as well as enjoy nature on the walking trails.

Paddle the Weeki Wachee River

Like the Chaz, the Weeki Wachee River provides an amazing opportunity to paddle a kayak or canoe down one of Florida’s clearest rivers. The Weeki starts as a freshwater spring, now contained within the bounds of the Weeki Wachee State Park. The river flows just over 5 miles to the Gulf of Mexico, twisting and turning through natural Florida habitats that include palms, oaks, and sand-loving shrubs. An outfitter provides kayaks or canoes if you get there early enough. Or bring your own and pay to have the outfitter haul your kayaks back to the parking lot. Along the paddle, take your time. Stop at any number of sandy spots to enjoy the cool water. Pull up on a sandy bar to eat lunch. And be sure to take in all of the spectacular scenery. From time to time, manatees swim up the river and delight the people on the river.

Road Trips South From Tampa

Headed south from Tampa, you’ll find lots of beaches and beach towns. These are the places known for the best shelling in Florida as well as finding shark teeth. These are also the parts first explored by the Spaniards in the early 1500s. Here you’ll find towns such as Bradenton, Sarasota, and Venice.

Enjoy the Beach at Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island is a barrier island on Florida’s Gulf coast and an easy drive from Tampa. The main feature of the island, and what draws visitors weekend after weekend, is 7 miles of wide and sandy beaches. The town resembles a storybook image of a beach town – laid back, relaxed, colorful, and quirky. Two-lane roads lead north-south and east-west, past one and two story buildings painted in pastel hues. Palm trees, sea grapes, and flowered bushes punctuate yards, and sand collects along roadways. If you’re looking for a more affordable, more laid back beach experience than Clearwater Beach, give Anna Maria Island a try. You might even want to spend a day or two here enjoying the beach life.

Contribute to Conservation at Big Cat Habitat

Have you seen Tiger King on Netflix? I tried. I couldn’t get past the first episode. That’s just a whole lot of white trash in one TV show. #sorrynotsorry

This is NOT that Big Cat organization. Not to be confused with Big Cat Rescue north of Tampa, Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary houses more than 150 exotic and domestic animals. The facility currently opens only four hours a day Friday through Sunday. Their animal ambassadors perform twice a day to help raise awareness for these animals. If you’re looking for a decent tiger organization to support, take a look at this one.

Explore History at Desoto National Park

Desoto National Memorial in Bradenton marks the landing of Hernando de Soto’s 1539 expedition. Most historians believe de Soto made landfall in south Tampa Bay or perhaps further south in Charlotte Harbor. The park covers 26 acres and 3,000 feet of coastline where the Manatee River empties into Tampa Bay. Visitors to the park can enjoy a living history camp (December through April only), a visitor center with historic artifacts, nature trails, bird watching, and fishing. Along the nature trail, you’ll see tabby house ruins, natural Florida habitat, and one of the most visible memorials, the Memorial Cross. This cross was erected to commemorate all priests in Florida, and in particular, the 12 priests and friars who made landfall with de Soto. The Memorial Cross and Holy Eucharist Memorial can be found beside Desoto National Park.

Learn More History at Fort de Soto Park

Across Tampa Bay from Desoto National Park, explore a Pinellas County park with a similar name, Fort de Soto Park. This one encompasses more than 1,000 acres making it the largest park in Pinellas County. The acreage covers five islands and a lot of wetlands and water between the islands. If you plan to visit Fort de Soto Park, it’s a good idea to plan to spend the entire day there. It’ll take that long to see it all!

Fort de Soto Park includes more than 7 miles of multi-use trails, more than 2 miles of unpaved nature trails, and more than 2 miles of canoe trails. In addition, the park has three beaches and an 800 foot long fishing pier. The highlight of the park, however, is the fort which was built in the late 1800s to protect Tampa Bay during the Spanish American War. Historic features include the fort, two wells, several artillery guns, and the foundations of the wooden buildings which once stood on one of the islands. A small museum houses many artifacts found around the islands.

To make a perfect road trip from Tampa, pack a lunch and all of your beach essentials. Walk through the fort and along the historic buildings trail, play in the surf at one of the beaches, enjoy lunch in the shade near one of the nature trails, then walk off lunch on the nature trails. Finally take a drive to the far end of the park for a great view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the United States. Finish off the day with a bit more beach time, or perhaps grab the ferry over to Egmont Key and explore over there for a few hours. Whichever way you choose to spend your day, it’ll be a long one filled with lots of memories at Fort de Soto Park.

Relax with the Famous Lipizzan Stallions

The rare and famous Lipizzan horses spend winter at a 25 acre farm near Myakka City and perform Saturday mornings for visitors to the farm. The performances often include younger horses and explains how the horses are trained. Stay after the training session to stroll around the farm, explore the barn, and feed carrots to the horses. The riders and owner answer questions and present photo opportunities. It’s a great activity for families with horse-loving kids. Or for horse-loving adults.

Smell the Flowers at Marie Selby Gardens

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens covers 15 acres at the former home of Marie and William Selby in Sarasota. Beyond being a botanical garden, The Gardens is a working research facility with more than 150 expeditions contributing to the Gardens collections. Since opening in 1973, Selby botanists have discovered or described more than 2,000 plant species previously unknown to science. The Gardens’ main focus is one epiphytes, plants that grow in trees, including orchids, bromeliads, and ferns. When you visit Marie Selby Gardens, be sure to spend time in each of the featured areas – the Children’s Rainforest Garden, designed to foster a love and appreciate for rainforest flora in children; the Tropical Conservatory; the Towering Bamboo Garden; the Banyan Groves; the Mangrove Bay Walk; the Fern Garden; and the Koi Pond.

Keep the Conservation Going at Mote Marine Lab

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is a non-profit organization made up of scientists, explorers, and stewards of the seas. Located in Sarasota with satellite locations in Boca Grande and the Florida Keys, Mote combines scientific research with public education. Visitors explore the wonders of marine life through high-tech interactive displays, touch pools, and working labs which can be observed. The aquarium houses sharks, manatees, sea turtles, and over 100 other marine species. Some of the research programs undertaken by Mote scientists include marine mammal hospitals, coral reef health and monitoring, marine stranding investigations, and fisheries ecology.

See the State Art Museum in Sarasota

Many people associate the name Ringling with the circus. Would it surprise you to know that John Ringling also helped create what would become the official State Art Museum of Florida? The Ringling Museum of Art took shape from Ringling’s sizable estate and art collection which he bequeathed to the residents of Florida upon his death in 1936.

Florida State University now manages the museum. It is part of the Caples-Ringling Historic district in Sarasota, and combined with the FSU Center for the Performing Arts is one of the largest university art complexes in the United States. Exhibits at the Ringling Museum of Art include special and permanent exhibits as well as the Ringling’s mansion, Ca’ d’Zan, and the Circus Museum. There are also virtual exhibits available online.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Sarasota Jungle Gardens boasts the distinction of being one of Florida’s oldest attractions. Opened in 1939 and family-owned and operated since then, this family-friendly spot in Sarasota has over 200 native and exotic animals. Three daily shows educate the young and young-at-heart about the different animals to foster a love and appreciation for them. The early owners lived on the premises in what is now the Flamingo Cafe and the current koi pond was once the family’s swimming pool! Besides animal shows, visitors can enjoy the Jungle Trails, feed flamingos, and delight kids with animals encounters.

Sunbathe on Siesta Key

Siesta Key Beach is the #1 beach in America and #11 beach in the world in 2020 according to TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards. It’s also been named #1 beach by Dr. Beach in 2017 and in 2011. It was also the TripAdvisor #1 beach in America in 2017 (Clearwater Beach won in 2018 and 2019). The most unique thing about this beach is it’s composition. Unlike most beaches around the world which are made up of pulverized rock and coral, Siesta Key Beach is 99% quartz, most of which originated the Appalachian Mountains. Over the course of hundreds of thousands of years, the quartz washed down rivers and into the Gulf of Mexico where it eventually accumulated on Florida’s Gulf coast beaches. The quartz also makes the sand cool to the touch rather than hot like beaches up north. So you won’t have to wear shoes to get to the water, even when it’s blisteringly hot outside.

Tour Art Galleries and Museums in St. Pete

St. Petersburg, the largest city in Pinellas County, has seven art districts. Yes, seven. That’s a lot of art in a town of 265,000 people! If art is your thing – modern art, fine art, glass art, performing arts – you’ll love spending a day or two in St. Petersburg. Just across Tampa Bay, St. Pete is close enough to Tampa to go back if you don’t see it all in one day. Or just spend the night in St. Pete and enjoy the vibrant downtown area.

The seven art districts are:

• Waterfront Museum District, anchored by the Salvador Dali Museum, The Mahaffey Theater, and the Fine Arts Museum.
• Central Arts District includes the Morean Arts Center, Morean Glass Studio, and Studio 620.
• Grand Central District, home to antique shops as well as Imagine Museum and host to many large events and parades.
• The Edge District is an award-winning Main Street district and is where you’ll find numerous small, independent art studios, microbreweries, and shops.
• Warehouse District, once the location of many warehouses and light manufacturing businesses, now welcomes any artists who require a large space for their larger pieces or heavy equipment. Many of the studios are open to visitors.
• Deuces Live District is one of the newer districts and pays homage to St. Pete’s African-American heritage. Visit the Woodson Museum and try lunch at one of the local cafes, such as Chief’s Creole Cafe.
• M.L. King North District, another emerging arts district, features locally-owned shops, eateries, and studios such as Bloom Art Center and Heart Gallery.

Challenge Yourself at TreeUmph! Obstacle Course

Get outside and play like a kid again! Climb, swing, and zip on over 100 challenging obstacles. Guests conquer five obstacle courses, each progressively higher and harder than the last. You make it through all five. Or make it as far as you can. Best of all, you can share the experience with family and friends who don’t want to challenge themselves. It’s free to park and watch at TreeUmph! It’s also free to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it on their beautiful grounds.

Find Sharks Teeth in Venice

Many visitors come to Florida beaches to find shark teeth; however, not all beaches deliver them. Caspersen Beach in Venice is known for the abundance of shark teeth found on it’s sandy shores. There are many techniques for finding shark teeth. Stroll at the water line and look for the shiny black teeth. Sit by a large cache of shells and sift through them. Wade out a few feet, scoop up sand from the one foot drop off, and sift through that. Or charter a dive trip to deeper water where you might find larger teeth. Whatever method you choose, if you look for shark teeth in Venice, you’ll probably find some.

Recharge at Warm Mineral Springs

Warm Mineral Springs Park features Florida’s only warm water spring. In actuality, the lake is an ancient sinkhole which has filled with water from a spring vent far below ground. While Florida’s other freshwater springs maintain a water temperature between 72 and 74 degrees (perfect on hot summer days!), Warm Mineral Springs’ water checks in at a constant 85 degree. The waters purportedly have healing qualities from more than 51 minerals found dissolved in those waters. The lake has been a revered spot as far back as prehistoric times about 10,000 years ago when the native people used it as a burial ground. Archaeologists have found the fossilized bones of saber-toothed tigers, sloths, humans, and even tools. Divers can explore the deeper parts of the spring with a permit from the city of North Port.

State Parks

The Florida State Park system includes 175 parks and 9 state trails protecting more than 800,000 acres. There are also 35 state forests covering more than 1,000,000 acres though these are managed by the Forest Service. Florida State Parks are the only 4 time National Gold Medal winner in the country. Most of these parks were formed to protect an historic site, an environmentally sensitive site, or both. They truly are the jewels of the state, showcasing the natural beauty of Florida.

Note: Activities such as bicycling, mountain biking, and horseback riding require that you bring your own bike or horses. For paddling, many parks rent kayaks or canoes; however, please check with the park first.

Road Trips from Tampa to State Parks East

Alafia River State Park

• Special features: former phosphate mine along the south prong of the Alafia River
• Day activities: mountain biking, birding, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing, boating

Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park

• Special features: rare scrub habitat on the Lake Wales Ridge
• Day activities: hiking, horseback riding, fishing, geoseeking, wildlife viewing

Highlands Hammock State Park

• Special features: more rare and endemic species than any other Florida state park
• Day activities: birding, geo-seeking, hiking, mountain biking, tram tours, wildlife viewing, Civilian Conservation Corps Museum

Lake June-in-Winter Scrub State Park

• Special features: Lake June and rare scrub habitat which contains the highest concentration of rare plants and animals in North America
• Day activities: birding, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing

Lake Kissimmee State Park

• Special features: 1876 Cow Camp and frontage on 3 lakes
• Day activities: birding, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking, mountain biking

Lake Louisa State Park

• Special features: 3 lakes and 11 distinct natural plant communities
• Day activities: birding, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking, mountain biking, paddling, swimming, wildlife viewing, boating, horseback riding

Lake Manatee State Park

• Special features: 3 miles of lake frontage
• Day activities: bicycling, boating, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking, mountain biking, paddling, swimming

Payne’s Creek Historic State Park

• Special features: Fort Chokonikla site, Captain George S. Payne and Dempsey Whiddon Monument, and the Kennedy-Darling Trading Store site; access to the Peace River
• Day activities: museum, historic site with monuments, birding, paddling, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing

Seminole State Forest

• Special features: Blackwater Creek and Wekiva River, 20 miles of multi-use trails and 34 miles of hiking trails
• Day activities: hiking, wildlife viewing, birding, fishing, paddling

South Fork State Park

• Special features: bisected by the south fork of the Little Manatee River
• Day activities: hiking, birding, wildlife viewing, nature photography

Wekiwa Springs State Park

• Special features: Freshwater spring which is the headwaters for Wekiwa River
• Day activities: swimming, hiking, wildlife viewing, birding, paddling, geoseeking, snorkeling

Wingate Creek State Park

• Special features: 2 creeks; human occupation on these lands for thousands of years
• Day activities: hiking, wildlife viewing, birding, nature study

Road Trips from Tampa to State Parks North

Anclote Key State Park

• Special features: accessible by boat only; historic lighthouse; shelling
• Day activities: swimming, shelling, hiking, fishing, boating

Caladesi/Honeymoon Islands State Parks

• Special features: These are two separate state parks; access Caladesi Island by taking the ferry from Honeymoon Island or rent kayaks and paddle there. Top 10 Best Beaches in the US.
• Day activities: paddling, hiking, swimming, fishing, birding, wildlife viewing, boating

Colt Creek State Park

• Special features: 5,000 acres of native Central Florida habitats
• Day activities: birding, hiking, fishing, geoseeking, paddling, wildlife viewing

Crystal River Archaeological State Park

• Special features: burial and temple mounds
• Day activities: hiking, fishing, geoseeking, history study

Crystal River Preserve State Park

• Special features: biologically diverse estuary
• Day activities: bicycling, boat tours, fishing, hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing

Fort Cooper State Park

• Special features: Seminole Heritage Trail
• Day activities: hiking, fishing, paddling, birding, geoseeking, swimming

Hillsborough River State Park

• Special features: Hillsborough River, class II rapids, Fort Foster
• Day activities: hiking, fishing, swimming, paddling, history study, birding, geoseeking, wildlife viewing

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

• Special features: mermaids, waterpark, freshwater spring which is the headwaters for Weeki Wachee River
• Day activities: swimming, tubing, hiking, boat tours, snorkeling

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park

• Special features: salt springs and historic salt works
• Day activities: hiking, paddling, fishing, birding, wildlife viewing, history study

Read about our Saturday morning hike through Werner-Boyce.

Withlacoochee State Forest

• Special features: Withlacoochee River, Little Withlacoochee River, Jumper Creek, and 2600 acres of off-road facilities for ATVs
• Day activities: hiking, fishing, nature study, birding, wildlife viewing, horseback riding

Road Trips From Tampa to State Parks South

Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

• Special features: 100 miles of coastline with more than 45,000 acres
• Day activities: bicycling, birding, boating, hiking, fishing, geoseeking, paddling

Egmont Key State Park

• Special features: secluded island accessible only by boat; historic fort
• Day activities: swimming, snorkeling, birding, hiking, boating, fishing, shelling, history study

Gamble Plantation Historic State Park

• Special features: antebellum plantation home
• Day activities: geoseeking, tours

Little Manatee River State Park

• Special features: 4.5 miles of Little Manatee River, Cypress Creek
• Day activities: hiking, birding, fishing, paddling, wildlife viewing, bicycling

Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site

• Special features: Native American mounds
• Day activities: history study, walking

Myakka River State Park

• Special features: Myakka River, Florida’s first designated scenic river
• Day activities: fishing, paddling, hiking, birding, bicycling, geoseeking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, horseback riding

Myakka State Forest

• Special features: Over 8,000 acres of forest, 2.5 miles on the Myakka River
• Day activities: hiking, birding, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, horseback riding

Oscar Scherer State Park

• Special features: Nature oasis within urban sprawl, South Creek, 15 miles of trails
• Day activities: hiking, birding, paddling, bicycling, fishing, geoseeking, swimming, snorkeling, tram tours, wildlife viewing

Skyway Fishing Pier State Park

• Special features: Fishing piers created from the original Skyway Bridge
• Day activities: fishing

Stump Pass Beach State Park

• Special features: Beach
• Day activities: swimming, sunbathing, shelling, hiking, fishing, paddling, snorkeling, wildlife viewing

Terra Ceia State Park

• Special features: 2,000 acres of land, freshwater wetlands, and saltwater waterways
• Day activities: hiking, fishing, paddling

Nature Preserves

Preserves, Reserves, and Refuges all amount to the same thing – large swaths of land that have been set aside to conserve local fauna and flora. The following nature preserves/reserves/refuges are close to Tampa and offer a nature respite from the busy urban sprawl found in the Tampa Bay area.

Babcock Ranch Preserve

• Special features: protects regionally important water resources, diverse natural habitats, scenic landscapes and historic and cultural resources in the rapidly developing southwest Florida corridor.
• Day activities: hiking, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, bicycling, horseback riding

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

• Special features: former botanical garden, aviary, raptor center, nature camps
• Day activities: hiking, bicycling, paddling, nature programs

Circle B Bar Reserve

• Special features: former ranch, a favorite with local photographers, lots of alligators
• Day activities: hiking, photography, painting

Connor Preserve

• Special features: model airplane flying field
• Day activities: hiking, horseback riding, bicycling

Deer Prairie Creek Preserve

• Special features: Myakka River, over 70 miles of hiking trails
• Day activities: hiking, horseback riding, paddling, bicycling, fishing, birding

Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve

• Special features: 1,100,000 acres; headwaters for four major rivers – Ocklawaha, Withlacoochee, Hillsborough, and Peace
• Day activities: birding, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, fishing, paddling, boating, hunting

Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge

• Special features: rare scrub habitat; created to protect 23 endangered plant species
• Day activities: not open to the public

Robinson Preserve

• Special features: Valentine House, beach, observation tower
• Day activities: paddling, hiking, fishing, swimming, bicycling, wildlife viewing

Rock Springs Run State Reserve

• Special features: primitive campsites accessible by canoe only, horse rentals and trail rides
• Day Activities: hiking, paddling, horseback riding, bicycling, wildlife viewing

RV Griffin Reserve

• Special features: water reservoir
• Day activities: hiking, bicycling, horseback riding

Upper and Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserves

• Special features: one of the largest continuous recreation areas in Hillsborough county
• Day activities: birding, bicycling, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, paddling, boating, hunting

Weedon Island Preserve

• Special features: prehistoric canoe, Native American site, former airport
• Day activities: hiking, history study, fishing, boating, paddling,

So…what next? Get your printable/downloadable checklist below and start making plans! Be sure to pack all of the road trip essentials you’re going to need to make it a great trip. Then get out there and start exploring! There is so much to do near Tampa! You could stay busy every weekend for a couple of years.

Get your printable checklist below!

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