Discover Tampa Bay's Great Outdoors: Paddle, Hike, and Explore Nature
Park Recovery Update
Hillsborough County has reopened most nature preserves and walking trails. Visitors must follow physical distancing guidelines, while playgrounds, picnic areas, and kayak/canoe facilities remain closed.
City and County Parks Availability
Tampa Bay offers Florida's best urban adventures alongside exceptional outdoor experiences just minutes from downtown. Paddle rivers, bird-watch, and interact with wildlife when you explore Tampa Bay.
A River Runs Through It
Paddle Into the Past
In downtown Tampa, Urban Kai Stand Up Paddle Board Shop provides SUP rentals, lessons, and guided tours to experience Tampa Bay from the water.
Venture upstream with Canoe Escape on the wild upper Hillsborough River. Amid ancient cypress forests, fish, spot birds, turtles, and alligators in the heart of Old Florida.
Where the Wild Things Are
Walk in the Woods
Discover nature via trails and boardwalks in parks near the city: Canoe Florida's only Class II rapids at Hillsborough River State Park. Mountain bike or hike at Alafia River State Park, a reclaimed phosphate mine. Explore Flatwoods Conservation Park's trails amid suburbia, or canoe and wildlife-watch from the boardwalk at Lettuce Lake Park.
Lend a Helping Hand
Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful
Volunteer with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, or the Tampa Bay Sierra Club chapter for cleanups and restoration projects. Prevent litter, especially plastics, from entering the bay to protect our ecosystem.
Support Conservation
Meet the Manatees
Experience nature comfortably at The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Your visit supports vital conservation:
- The Florida Aquarium rehabilitates sharks, sea turtles, and breeds corals; try Sand Tiger Stout from Coppertail Brewing to aid sharks.
- ZooTampa operates the nation's only non-profit manatee hospital.
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay leads global endangered species preservation.
Saving the Reefs
The Florida Aquarium
Explore the Wetlands Trail's mangroves and aviary, river otters, alligators, sea turtles, stingrays, sea dragons, sharks, and more. Visit "Journey to Madagascar" for lemurs and unique species. Touch stingrays, moon jellies, and invertebrates. The aquarium advances sea turtle rescues, coral restoration, and shark conservation.
High-Flying Adventure
Empower Adventure
Thrill on a 2.5-hour zipline tour at Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve: over 3,000 feet of lines, aerial challenges, Tampa Bay views, and wildlife sightings.
