HomeFloridaRiverview › Bell Creek Nature Preserve

Bell Creek Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 287 Google reviews · Running trail in Riverview, Florida · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Loop distance
4 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Bell Creek Nature Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Paved4 miLoopShadedScenicDog-friendlyMile markersQuiet

Nature preserve with trails and picnic tables, some paved, suitable for kids and dogs.

What runners say about Bell Creek Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (287 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Large open roads to walk on, less trail like but the scenery was unique & beautiful.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions
🪧 well-marked 3 mentions

“The trails are well-marked, and it’s easy to get around.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“Quiet, peaceful, and full of wildlife if you take your time and actually look around.”

Great trail. Initially is very sandy so if you have a bike it might be hard to get around as you have to stick to the edges, which aren't always clear, but once you're more inwards there's a large paved trail.

★★★★★ — Alexis , Oct 2023

Bell Creek Nature Reserve is a park in Riverview that’s located in Riverview. It’s known for its hiking trails. The trails are well-marked, and it’s easy to get around. The trails come into a variety of types: asphalt, dirt, and sand. However, the terrain of the trails may be bumpy.

★★★★☆ — Landon , Jul 2023

Remember when on trial going past the lake, there are gators! Had one on the way back sun bathing in the middle of the trail. Had to reach out for a life lion the way call for help. Even the staff had an interesting time getting him to be leave. He sort of did, into the weeds.

★★★★★ — Brian , Jul 2025

Nice little walk, very open area that overlooks a lake. Only saw this friendly Gopher tort along the trail but was still a nice day out to enjoy the views.

★★★★★ — Taylor , Feb 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 287 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 9 mentions

“The picnic tables are positioned so you can view the lake while you're eating, making the experience absolutely unrivaled.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 5 mentions

“Nice trails, mixed walking surface from sand, asphalt and hard earth, burrowing owl site but I only saw 3 other birds no animals.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 5 mentions

“Quiet, peaceful, and full of wildlife if you take your time and actually look around.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Spent time hiking here with my dogs and really enjoyed it.”

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📏 Mile markers 3 mentions

“The trails are well-marked, and it’s easy to get around.”

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🔁 Loop trail 3 mentions

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

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Plan your run at Bell Creek Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • Loop distance4 mi back to where you parked
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websitehillsboroughcounty.org
  • Phone(813) 672-7876
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–6 PM
Thursday 8 AM–6 PM
Friday 8 AM–6 PM
Saturday 8 AM–6 PM
Sunday 8 AM–6 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Bell Creek Nature Preserve

10940 McMullen Rd, Riverview, FL 33569

Get directions

Running trails near Riverview

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Stephen J. Wortham Park

3.8 ★★★★☆ 238 reviews

Riverview, FL

LoopScenicDog-friendly

Playground and lakeside spot for kayaking on a lake surrounded by trails and woods.

1.4 miles away

Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve

4.2 ★★★★☆ 82 reviews

Riverview, FL

LoopShadedDog-friendly

Relaxed nature preserve featuring 2 main trails which snake through oaks and pines as well as scrubland.

1.6 miles away

Triple Creek Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 144 reviews

Riverview, FL

LoopShadedScenicDog-friendly

Nature preserve offering a hiking trail that's 2.7 miles long and known for its scenery.

4.7 miles away

Aldermans Ford Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 223 reviews

Plant City, FL

1.8 miLoopMixedShaded

Nature preserve featuring trails leading to the Alafia River.

8.4 miles away

Edward Medard Conservation Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 584 reviews

Plant City, FL

3 miBoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Beautiful, lakefront park featuring hiking trails, campgrounds and alligator sightings.

9.8 miles away

Hillsborough County Medard Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 154 reviews

Plant City, FL

3 miBoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Natural area features a reservoir for fishing & boating, BBQ picnic spots, a playground & trails.

9.8 miles away

All running trails in Riverview, FL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.