Like a lot of folks, I’ve always enjoyed taking walks, an activity that became damned-near a survival mechanism during the Covid-19 pandemic. I’ve now walked all over my section of St. Peterburg but have also sought out specific parks and trails in Pinellas County, Florida.
Since I’ve accumulated some knowledge about these places, I thought I’d post a list of them along with some of the features that make them more worthwhile. Keep in mind, though, that I’ve put in little warnings that some of these places can be a bit spooky to visit if you’re on your own. And, since it’s Florida, there’s always the dangers of gators, snakes, mosquitoes, the famously weird Florida Man and other wildlife.
This list is partly for myself, a reminder of features and locations, but maybe a few of my Pinellas neighbors might find it useful as well. I’ll probably continue to add to it over time.
If you happen to stumble on this post and want to suggest other good places to walk, please a comment. I’m always on the lookout for new places to go.
Boca Ciega Millennium Park Recreation Trail
Webpage
https://pinellas.gov/parks/boca-ciega-millennium-park
Address
12410 74th Ave N, Seminole, FL 33772
Features
- 186 acres
- accessible to the Pinellas Trail
- observation tower of Boca Ciega Bay
- part of the “Great Florida Birding Trail”
- pine flatwoods, coastal oaks, hammock, mangrove swamp, salt marsh, bay head and wetlands
- playground
- dog park
Cool Stuff to Know
In 2007, many Pleistocene age fossils were discovered in the park, including bones of mammoths, giant sloths, giant armadillos, saber-toothed cats, and camels. Many of these fossils are displayed at the Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. You can see a short video about them here.
Personal Experience
The tower and the walk on the boardwalk are nice, but that’s not all there is to the park. There are various other paths, including a paved walkway leading in from the entrance and going by one the larger ponds. There are marshy paths below the boardwalk though I never got down there.
Where to Meet
You can park in front of shelter 3. From there you can go to the left on the sidewalk and will be able to pick up the trail to the boardwalk.
Some Photos
Boyd Hill
Webpage
http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/boydhillpreserve/
Address
1101 Country Club Way South
St. Petersburg, FL
33705
Features
- Admission is $3/adults, $1.50/children ages 3-16, and free for children under the age of 3
- No pets allowed
- Most trails are ADA accessible
- A variety of trails and Florida natural landscapes
- A playground
- A bird sanctuary for birds that have been too injured to fly, where various raptors can be seen
Cool Stuff to Know
There are several terrific sculptures there by the late, great Paul Eppling. I’ve also been on nighttime nature tours there. And, in the back of the preserve (you get there via a separate entrance), there’s there’s the Pioneer Settlement, a living history museum where visitors can experience the skills, crafts and social customs of late 19th century life in west central Florida. (Though I’ve seldom been there.)
Personal Experience
I’ve been to Boyd Hill many times over the years. I imagine that’s true for many residents of St. Petersburg. There are various trails, but there are really two major environments. First, there are the lake-facing trails, boardwalks and bridges along which you can often see alligators, wading birds, and more. Second, there are the drier trails through the hammock and prairies where you may see hawks, gopher tortoises and more amid the pines and scrubs palms.
Where to Meet
In front of the environmental education center and gift shop where you purchase a ticket to get into the preserve. The education center is worth a quick tour as well.
Some Photos
Carillon Conservation Pond Trail
Webpage
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/carillon-walking-path
Address
100 Fountain Pkwy N, St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Features
- A 1 mile boardwalk around the perimeter of a lake that’s part of a business park
- It can currently be hard to find a place to park but on the weekend I’ve parked in the parking lot of an office building
- You can see wildlife such as wading birds, turtles and maybe a gator
Cool Stuff to Know
Part of the walk includes the land on which stands the Carillon Tower. There’s also a floating walkway that bisects the lake. It’s kind of fun.
Personal Experience
Parking was a pain, though maybe that’ll change when local construction is complete. It’s cool have the tower as part of the walk, and the urban environment makes this a surprisingly unique stroll. I saw some enormous box turtles during the walk.
Where to Meet
I think, though I’ve never met anyone there before, the place to meet people is in the parking lot of the office building at 200 Carillon Parkway, which has visitor parking spaces. However, don’t hold me to that. I was there on a holiday when the parking lot was empty.
Some Photos
Clam Bayou Nature Park Loop
Webpage
http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/clambayou/
Address
4099 34th Ave. South
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Features
There’s only a mile or so worth of trails around a mangrove-laden bayou. It has a couple of scenic walkways/docks from which you can see the local bay. It also has some signage that talks about the history of the property and park.
Cool Stuff to Know
It’s also a destination for kayakers or paddlers since there’s a place to launch. The bayou has been around since the first settlers came to “Bonifacio,” the previous name of Gulfport. It’s also known as Osgood Point, where ships and boats used to be built in the early to mid 1900’s.
Personal Experience
My 90-something mother used to love to walk around Clam Bayou with her dachshund companion, which goes to show it’s not exactly arduous terrain. I do like the docks from which you see the bay and bayou. I’ve still got a number of paintings that my mother made of me and my old Labrador Hank. I still miss that guy.
Where to Meet
There’s parking lot, such as it is, so finding friends should be fairly easy. Maybe tell them to meet by the placard near the parking lot.
Some Photos
Some Photos
Fort DeSoto
Webpage
https://pinellas.gov/parks/fort-de-soto-park
Address
3500 Pinellas Bayway South
Tierra Verde, Florida 33715
Features
- 1,136 acres
- five offshore keys, or islands: Madelaine Key, St. Jean Key, St. Christopher Key, Bonne Fortune Key and the main island, Mullet Key.
- Accessible by toll road from the mainland
- Antiquated military fortifications
- Two fishing piers
- great beaches and picnic areas
- hiking, bicycling and kayak trails
- ferry to Egmont Key State Park is available
- dog park
- Quartermaster Storehouse Museum
Cool Stuff to Know
In 1948, the military sold the property back to the county for $26,495.54. What a great deal!
Personal Experience
I’ve been to Fort DeSoto many times. I’ve gone there to hang on the beach with my family, to take long hikes alone, to meander aimlessly (or romantically) with friends. It’s a special place, with many things to do, from fishing to swimming to kayaking to snorkeling to just taking in the scenery and history of the place.
Where to Meet
It’s a big place so there’s no one best place to meet. It depends on where you want to go. So, look at a map of the place and be very specific about where you’d like to meet. Cell phones come in handy as you’re trying to get coordinated.
Some Photos
Eagle Lake Park Loop
Webpage
https://pinellas.gov/parks/eagle-lake-park
Address
1800 Keene Rd, Largo, FL 33771
Features
- Length is about 2.5 miles and trail is pretty much a loop
- There’s a boardwalk around one of the lakes, from which I think you can fish
- Dogs need to be on a leash
- There are three main ponds, though two of them contain small creeks that join them to marshier sections
- Paths are paved or boardwalks, so it’s a very civilized kind of stroll and so seems pretty wheelchair friendly
- Six picnic shelters
- Three restrooms
- Playground
- Dog park
- Paved 12-Foot wide recreation trail
- Numerous shell paths
- 2,000 feet of boardwalks over restored wetlands
- Catch and release fishing in designated areas
Personal Experience
It’s a nice, unchallenging stroll. Of course, in flat Florida, most walks are pretty unchallenging unless you’re swamp walking or bushwhacking, but the paved pathways make this one especially civilized. Still, there are a few nice views, some turtles accustomed to being fed, and shelters where folks really seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Where to Meet
You could try parking somewhere in the vicinity of building #2, which also happens to be a restroom. To the right of that is Shelter #3, though there are usually people there already.
Some Photos
Freedom Lake Path
Webpage
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/freedom-lake-path
Address
9990 46th St N, Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Features
- Two lakes set very close to one another so you can make them into one walk
- Adjacent dog park
- Community planter boxes
- Covered outside fitness stations
- Fishing
- Grill
- Korean War Memorial
- Pavilion
- Picnic Tables
- Playground
- Two swing sets
- Walking track
Cool Stuff to Know
There’s a Korean War-era jet that’s part of the war memorial. There’s also a miniature sailing regatta course that’s used for sailing model boats.
Personal Experience
I discovered the Freedom Lake path by chance as I was driving down 49th Street. I could see war memorial (which, mind you, includes an actual jet) and so went looking for in that Pinellas Park neighborhood. It’s a lovely little park that, from what I can tell, is largely frequented by local retirees. I also struck up a conversation with a guy operating a model sailboat and he told me about the little regattas they run on Sunday mornings (if I remember this correctly).
Where to Meet
There’s a shelter by the lake, not far from the aluminon dock from which they sale the model boats. I think meeting friends there would work.
Some Photos
Lake Seminole Park Trail
Webpage
https://pinellas.gov/parks/lake-seminole-park
Address
10015 Park Boulevard North
Seminole, Florida 33777
Features
- 258 acres of designated wildlife habitat and sanctuary
- 1.9-mile loop trail
- 13 picnic shelters
- Ball field
- Boat ramp
- Fishing
- Multipurpose trails
- Restrooms
- Playgrounds
- Water fountains
- Wheelchair accessible
Cool Stuff to Know
The main trail goes through the woods and has a good amount of shade. It’s a very interesting landscape, with water on three sides. Quite lovely.
Personal Experience
I didn’t realize that the the loop trail is set up to be one-way and so was walking “against the grain,” causing some bicyclers to be slightly annoyed with me. I figured it out eventually. There are plenty of other places to walk aside from the main loop trail. There are several small lake/ponds in addition to the gigantic eponymous Lake Seminole. At one of them, there are hobbyists who run their model motor boats off a dock. I can’t member what they said their schedule was.
Where to Meet
There are several places to meet and it’s a big place so it’s easy to get divided. If you only want to walk the loop, then park near it, but if you want more of a walk and exploration, I recommend parking across the way from the very tall and prominent flagpole.
Some Photos
Largo Central Park
Webpage
https://www.largo.com/facility_detail_T64_R49.php
Address
101 Central Park Drive, Largo, FL 33771
Features
- 70-acre park
- heart of Largo across from the Largo Public Library
- 8 Picnic pavilions (2 large)
- Four-acre great lawn space
- One acre playfield
- Over 1,000 shade trees
- Restroom facilities
- James S. Miles & Richard A. Leandri Military Court of Honor
- Disabled-friendly playground
- Largo Central Railroad
Cool Stuff to Know
With approximately 1.2 miles of track, many visitors come on the first full weekend of the month for “Train Weekend” to take a ride on the miniature train, Largo Central Railroad (Saturday from 10am to 4pm, Sunday from 10am-1pm).
Personal Experience
I”ve never seen the train in action. This is lovely urban park that’s well visited by the denizens of Largo. Living in St. Pete, I didn’t know about it until stumbling on it while traveling back from another park. It’s low key but a beauty in its way. Not much wild life but that’s not the objective. It’s a green space to take in humanity on a lazy day.
Where to Meet
I typically park in the lot near the Military Court of Honor, which is reached via Central Park Drive. One good place to meet is near the fountain.
Some Photos
Largo Nature Preserve Loop
Webpage
https://www.largo.com/facility_detail_T64_R50.php
Address
150 Highland Ave N, Largo, FL 33770
Features
- 31-acre nature park
- A lovely boardwalk around the perimeter of a lake filled with Florida wildlife.
- Over 40 interpretive displays
- 2-story observation tower
- Boardwalks
- 3/4 mile asphalt, walk, bike, skate trail
- Native wildflower plantings, mixed hardwood swamp
- YMCA butterfly garden
- Guided nature walks, call 727-518-3047 to schedule for groups of 10 or more
Cool Stuff to Know
If you don’t do anything else, do the boardwalk around the lake/pond. It’s the best one of its kind anywhere I’ve been.
Personal Experience
When we first went, we went around the perimeter of the park counterclockwise. It was okay but no great shakes. But once we got to the boardwalk surrounding the lake, we saw the magic of the place. All kind of birds, turtles and a big lazy gator who seems just fine with tourists gawking from the safety of the boardwalk.
Where to Meet
There’s only one parking lot so meeting should be easy. There’s a restroom building nearby and small pavilions to the right of it. Meeting around there should work.
Some Photos
Moccasin Lake
Webpage
Address
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
2750 Park Trail Ln.
Clearwater, FL 33759
Features
- 51-acre nature preserve
- trails and boardwalks
- ponds and creeks
- wildlife including gopher turtles, raccoons, and many birds
- home to several injured birds of prey
- offers classes, programs, camps and meeting/reception rentals
- both indoor and outdoor meeting space
- Partially paved
- Wheelchair and stroller friendly
- No dogs
Cool Stuff to Know
Has a raptor rescue portion
Personal Experience
I’ve been to Moccasin Lake preserve several times, at least once to watch a wildlife presentation by a guest speaker. It’s a nice walk and there are various “extras” such as some injured birds of prey they care for, turtle pond, some exhibits and, if I remember correctly, peacocks hanging around.
Where to Meet
Parking lot or in front of the center where they have displays
Some Photos
Raymond H. Neri Community Park Loop
Webpage
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/raymond-h-neri-community-park-loop
Address
4303 46th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714
Features
- Restroom building
- Paved loop around a reservoir lake
- The lake and trail are fenced
- Trail surface is paved asphalt or a wooden bridge with railings.
- Probably navigable for most wheelchairs/mobility equipment or stroller users
Cool Stuff to Know
This is one of the few places I know in the area where you can regularly see limpkins, which feed in the lake. Reportedly, more is planned for this area. Plans include a playground and challenge course, multi-purpose playfield, dog parks, picnic shelters, restrooms, and a park maintenance building.
Personal Experience
Raymond Neri is an odd and sometimes unsettling place to be. Not many people go there and there’s no one supervising the property I’ve ever seen. The whole place is fenced in, giving it an eerie sense that you might not be safe when you come upon strangers. There is also a fence around the entire “lake,” perhaps because it has steep banks, but it’s clear that some people go under the fence. The formation is a bit of a mystery. One source refers to it as a reservoir and I’ve also heard it referred to as a spillway. Regardless, is is fed by St. Joe’s Creek, which comes out the other end heading east.
Anyway, I don’t recommend going there alone, although I’ve never had a bad experience myself. Maybe it’ll become less isolated and creepy once the new construction (supposed to start in 2023) is completed.
Where to Meet
Probably the gravel parking lot on 46th Avenue
Some Photos
Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail
Webpage
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/ream-wilson-clearwater-trail
Address
1400 Old Coachman Rd., Clearwater, FL 33765
Features
This is basically a trail that connects various other parks, though it goes through some urban areas as well. Its reportedly 6.5-miles out-and-back, though it seemed longer when we did it.
Cool Stuff to Know
The trail crosses through Northeast Coachman Park, Cliff Stephens Park, Del Oro Park, and it’s adjacent to Kapok Park, which is also worth seeing (see photos below, at least until I create a separate entry for Kapok). It’s a long trail that can get very hot unless you tackle it on a cool winter day. From what I hear, there are plans to extend the trail.
Personal Experience
My wife and I walked this trail once and she lived to regret it. It was just too long and hot so didn’t get all the way to the end of it. At one point, we lost the trail, doing some unnecessary walking, which didn’t help her mood at all.
Nonetheless, there are beautiful, green areas along the way. I was glad to have seen the parks that make up a sizeable portion of the trail. I can’t vouch for the last portion of the trail but, if you can find all the markers along the way, I think it’s well worth doing. My wife, however, may beg to differ.
Where to Meet
There’s parking at the start of the trail. I’d meet there since since folks might get lost on the way to actual trail head. Cell phones should help.
Some Photos from Kapok Park
Sawgrass Lake
Webpage
https://pinellas.gov/parks/sawgrass-lake-park/
Address
7400 25th Street North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33702
Features
- Boardwalk,
- Nature trail
- Observation Tower
- Parking
- Restroom
- One picnic shelter and grill
Cool Stuff to Know
It has one of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast, and thousands of birds migrate through the park during the fall and spring.
Personal Experience
Along with Boyd Hill and Weeden Island, Sawgrass is among the most popular nature trails in the area. It’s a sweet trail with, among other things, an observation tower from which you can typically see a lot of the wildlife in the lake. If you’re trying to get glance at a Florida gator, Sawgrass is pretty good bet. However, the last time I was there, the board walk to the tower and the lake was closed.
Where to Meet
Some Photos
St. Pete Beach Walk
Webpage
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/st-pete-beach-walk
Address
6850 Beach Plaza
St Pete Beach, FL
33706
Features
Well, it’s just a beach but a very nice one, for the most part, with its renown sugary white sands. If you want to rent beach chairs and other stuff, there will be various places on the beach to do so. You can start in the north around Upham Beach and walk down to Pass-a-Grille Beach or vice versa. And there’s plenty of beach life along the main strip in terms of restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and the like.
Cool Stuff to Know
Tripadvisor reportedly rated this the No. 1 Beach in the U.S. in 2021, and it typically makes the list of the top 25 or so beaches in the world. Tripadvisor summarizes, “A great walking beach with white quartz sand, clear calm water, and seashells by the truckload. The most perfect place to watch the sun set over the ocean.”
Personal Experience
St. Pete Beach is a special place but I’ve been there so often, it’s hard for me to view it in any kind of objective light. I’ve used to work on Pass-a-Grille and so have been to the St. Pete Beach hundreds of times. These days, I often go at night when the parking is free and beach mostly empty.
Where to Meet
I’m going to suggest meeting at Upham Beach at the Paradise Grille, but the parking lot will do.
Some Photos
Sunset Beach Scenic Boardwalk
Webpage
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/sunset-beach-scenic-boardwalk
Address
7846 W Gulf Blvd
St. Petersburg, FL 33706
Features
- 1.2-mile out-and-back trail
- An average of 21 min to complete
- No dogs
- Boardwalk
- Wheelchair and stroller friendly
- Wildflowers
Cool Stuff to Know
The boardwalk is mostly privately owned but is open to public foot traffic.
Personal Experience
We walked this on a cold, crisp but sunny Christmas eve afternoon and it was delightful. That’s the only time I’ve walked it but will be back. I think it’d make a particularly nice stroll after getting a bite at one of the nearby restaurants.
Where to Meet
There’s a parking lot right at the start of the trail.
Some Photos
Taylor Lake
Webpage
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/taylor-lake-trail
Address
Features
- 1.6-mile loop trail
- Ball Field
- Boat Ramp (Non-Motorized)
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Multipurpose Trail
- Parking
- Picnic Area
- Playground Equipment
- Restrooms
- Seven Picnic Shelters with Grills
- Pinellas Trail
Cool Stuff to Know
The park provides a full disc (aka, frisbee) golf course
Personal Experience
I had a nice walk there but almost got beaned with a frisbee. You need to keep your head up. Some of the weighted discs could really hurt if they hit you in the noggin.
Where to Meet
The best place to meet is probably Shelter #1. There are also restrooms nearby.
Some Photos
Walsingham Park
Webpage
https://pinellas.gov/parks/walsingham-park/
Address
10601 125th Street
Seminole, Florida 33778
Features
- 354 acres that surround the Walsingham Lake
- Boat Ramp
- Fishing
- Parking
- Dog Park
- Fishing Platform
- Playground Equipment
- Restrooms
- 6-Mile, Shared-Use Trail
- Fitness Area
- Eight Picnic Shelters with Grills
- Boat Ramp (Non-Combustion Engine)
- Walsingham Park Lake, Pinellas County: Open to Fishing.
- Cast nets or minnow seines are prohibited.
- Swimming and taking of fish or wildlife with firearms is prohibited.
- Gasoline motors may not be used on boats.
- Bluegill and Redear Aggregate Bag Limit: 20
- Crappie Bag Limit: 10
- Crappie less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately.
- Sunshine Bass Bag Limit: Four
- Sunshine bass less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately.
- Channel Catfish Bag Limit: Six
Cool Stuff to Know
Named after Jesse Ancil Walsingham, an early civic leader of Pinellas County
Personal Experience
There’s a lot of land here so this is not a short stroll if you’re going around the whole lake.
Where to Meet
Park in front of shelter number 7. To the right of shelter 7 is a playground. To the left of number 7 are restrooms
Some Photos
Walter Fuller Park Path
Webpage
http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/walterfullerpark/
Address
7891 26th Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Features
- Walter Fuller Recreation Center Walter Fuller Pool Walter Fuller Park Walter Fuller Sports Complex
- Park Features
- Walter Fuller Recreation Center
- Dog Park
- Shelters
- Baseball Fields
- Pickleball Courts
- Walter Fuller Pool
- Recreation trails
- Walter Fuller Sports Complex
- Soccer Fields
- Tennis Courts
Cool Stuff to Know
There were two Walter Fullers, father and son, and both were movers and shakers in the area.
H. Walter Fuller (1865-1942) was the first person to promote the Jungle as a special place to live. Walter P. Fuller (1894-1973) continued his father’s vision for the Jungle by building the Jungle Country Club Hotel, the Jungle Prado shopping complex and Piper-Fuller Airfield.
Personal Experience
Walter Fuller Park is not a nature walk, though there’s plenty of room for walking and some nice water scenes. It’s a full-on city park with all kinds of facilities. The Pickeball players are out in force and not to be denied.
Where to Meet
There are various places to park so you’ll need to decide where to go in advance. Keep your cell phone handy. One option is to park near the dog park, another is in front of the swim center.
Some Photos
War Veterans Memorial Park
Webpage
https://pinellas.gov/parks/war-veterans-memorial-park/
Address
9600 Bay Pines Boulevard
St. Petersburg, Florida 33708
Features
- Boat Ramp (Fee Charged)
- Nature Trail
- Historic Interest
- Parking
- Playground
- Five Shelters with Grills
Cool Stuff to Know
There is a Memorial Center featuring five plaques with official armed forces flags that commemorate each of the United States’ military branches. This park also has a Battlefield Cross, a Sundial and an Army Tank.
Personal Experience
I’ve been here many times but on the weekdays it can be a bit spooky because there aren’t many people there. I would urge solitary weekday visitors to be careful of strangers in the area. That said, it is a beautiful place, though sometimes humming with mosquitoes, especially in the hotter months.
Where to Meet
There are various places to park. I suggest picking a shelter and parking near it. Cell phone will come in handy.
Some Photos
Weeden Island
Webpage
https://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/
Address
Weedon Island Preserve
Cultural and Natural
History Center
1800 Weedon Drive NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Features
- Boardwalks & Trails
- Ecosystems
- Education Center
- Exhibits
- Gift Shop
- Fishing Pier
- History / Archaeology
- Preserve
- Prehistoric Canoe
- Visitor Map
Cool Stuff to Know
Weedon Island Preserve is a huge 3,190-acre natural area comprised of aquatic and upland ecosystems. There’s a nice educational facility that discusses the history of the site, on which indigenous peoples lived for thousands of years.
Personal Experience
I’ve gone to Weeden many times, usually to hike around but also to participate in its weekend 5K. I keep meaning to rent a kayak there but haven’t done that yet.
Where to Meet
I think parking near the Cultural and Natural History Center makes sense, but it’s a pretty hard parking lot so you might want to pick a specific area, such as need the “Weeden Island Preserve” sign.
Some Photos
