Hillsborough Country Park Review

Hello, everyone! This post has been a long time coming, but this kind of content takes forever to make, so thanks for waiting. Hiking is one of my favorite pass times, and there are tons of parks I've had on my to-do list. Luckily, I've been able to squeeze in some park time at least once a week to bring you this.

A review of most of the county parks I've visited. Whether you're cycling or having a casual picnic, Hillsborough County has a nature preserve for you. I love traveling here and exploring nature, so hopefully, this list encourages you to do the same.

• Flatwoods Park

This park is shaped like a circle, with smaller trails snaking around the interior. I can't tell you much about the hiking paths other than the incomprehensible amount of mosquitoes there. I mean, it's the woods, but don't go there in the rainy seasons. Whenever I find myself at Flatwoods, I stay on the paved road.

Flatwoods Park is better suited for athletic activities. I used to walk six miles a day at Flatwoods, and there isn't any shade for a good chunk of the park. The shelters are also one mile apart, which was brutal when the rain came out of nowhere. On the bright side, there is a ton of wildlife there. I used to see deer on the trails every day and even wild turkeys. This park has a special place in my heart because I used to go there all the time, but I'd only go if you're strictly there for skating, cycling, and taking pictures.

• Morris Bridge Road Preserve

There are two parks in this area, connected by a trail under Morris Bridge. These parks are small. You can launch kayaks here. The hiking paths I have been on are pretty cool. When I was on the Buteo Trail, I saw three young boars. Nature is bound to have animals, so I wasn't upset when I saw them, but keep in mind that those pigs are dangerous. There's another trail on the other side of the bridge. It takes you alongside the Hillsborough River until you reach a platform that overlooks the water. It started raining when I hiked this path, and much to my surprise, the trees kept me relatively covered. Other trails get flooded to the point where you can't use them. It happens, especially in Florida, so you might not spend a long time here. I don't when I'm in the area.

You can fish here! I don't fish, but I wanted the mention the pier because I saw a gator there once. As long as you don't feed them, you should be fine.

• John B Sargeant Sr Park

If you follow me on Instagram, you're probably tired of hearing me talk about this park. I have so many reels dedicated to this park because it is so beautiful. Like Morris Bridge Road Preserve, kayaking is also an option here. This park is near the state park, so it's bigger than the others on this list. There are hiking trails in the woods, but there is also a path on the boardwalk you can take. The only thing that holds me back is the crosswalk.

This park is close to others, so you cross the road to reach other trails. It's like, four lanes of traffic, but instead of a timer, the button flashes hazard lights immediately. The speed limit makes it hard to prepare yourself to stop, and it's hard to gauge whether or not cars will break for you. Obviously, wait it out and go when it's clear, but taking little kids or pets with me on this trail would freak me out.

• Lettuce Lake Park

Lots of kids and families. That's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of this park. If you're looking for a tranquil, quiet place, go here doing school hours. The parking lots are usually filled with young families and strollers, so make sure you use the crosswalk and be alert of your surroundings. This park is massive, and I haven't checked out everything. I can tell you that the boardwalk and the observation towers are a cult classic, and rightfully so. You can see gators, fish, kayakers, and tons of birds from there. You could spend all day here, so pack some snacks!

• Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve

I want to say that I love this park. Really, I do. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful place. This park has perks like shade, equestrian trails, and campgrounds. My biggest issue is flooding. There are craters on the main road that fill with rain. I'm talking like, mini pools. If I didn't have ankle-high, waterproof boots, I would not be able to get through the first quarter-mile of the park. I've sprinkled visits to this park whenever I'm in the area, and I can tell you that the flooding is not just a summer thing. Maybe I'll visit, and there won't be any ponds on the trail, but until then, I'd skip this park.

• Eureka Springs Park

Did you know that this park is technically a flower garden? I adore this park with all my heart. True, it's not the most challenging hike, but it does have quaint and scenic trails. The trees provide tons of shade, and benches are littered around the vicinity. Honestly, it looked more like a movie set than real life. It was so so beautiful! I will say the spring is a touch underwhelming. It's a small pond at the end of the trail, and when I went, it was covered in duckweed. Not to mention, the rainfall can affect the appearance of the spring. I went on New Year's Eve, so the pond was pretty empty.

Eureka Springs is pretty small. The ranger told me that it takes about an hour to walk through the whole place. I'd say it's the perfect place to picnic or take pictures with some friends. The boardwalk is one of the best I've ever been on. Make sure you go when there's no rain in the forecast. I didn't see a ton of shelter when I went, other than the bathroom area.

Well, there you have it. This isn't a master list by any means. Hillsborough County is one of the largest counties in the country. These parks are definitely worth checking out. Florida has lots of unique wildlife and plant life to offer. Remember, take only pictures and leave only footprints. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post. It doesn't go unappreciated!

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