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Brooker Creek Preserve - The Friends Trail
4.5 ★★★★★ 66 Google reviews · Running trail in Tarpon Springs, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Brooker Creek Preserve - The Friends Trail'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.
Tranquil nature preserve featuring swamps, hardwood trees, deer, gopher tortoises and other wildlife trails.
What runners say about Brooker Creek Preserve - The Friends Trail
“Beautiful trails, a small bridge and super small observation deck.”
“The trail is well marked with red painted posts or red squares on trees.”
“Went early in the morning, and it was quiet.”
“Overall I recommend it for a family friendly walk after dinner.”
I walked the Friendship Trail and it was terrific! A perfect mix of wooded and open trail with wonderful views and sights to see. I was impressed with the trail information making system that you could scan a QR code and listen to or read information about 15 different areas of the trail. Very informative!
Simple but enjoyable loop hike. Observation deck overlooking a wetlands area. Audio QR to listen to several points of interest along the way. Saw 3 deer and plenty of birds. No bugs, weather was 60°.
Nice place to see wildlife depending on the day. I have been here multiple times and have seen deer, raccoons, pygmy rattlesnakes, little aquatic creatures in the creek, and plenty of different bird and butterfly species. Trails are easy. I do recommend boots for safety just in case you happen upon a snake.
This is the so-called "Friends Trail" which is a 1.75 mile loop. A lovely and peaceful walk in the woods. I joined a 2 hour hike with about 10 people. Our tour-guide "Jo" and her assistent Julie were wonderful and very informative. If they do another sponsored-hike, it's well worth it. The pic is Julie & Jo.
Trail conditions & character
“A perfect mix of wooded and open trail with wonderful views and sights to see.”
“8 mile loop with audio tour - scan QR code with your phone and learn as you walk!”
“No restrooms and parking is just at the trailhead which is at the end of Lora Lane.”
“Went early in the morning, and it was quiet.”
“The trail is well marked with red painted posts or red squares on trees.”
“The only reason I rate it as that is due to the tree roots that you need to watch out for along the trail.”
“No restrooms and parking is just at the trailhead which is at the end of Lora Lane.”
Plan your run at Brooker Creek Preserve - The Friends Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitebrookercreekpreserve.org
- Phone(727) 453-6800
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–5:30 PM |
Running trails near Tarpon Springs
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Brooker Creek Preserve & Environmental Education Center
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Boardwalks around wetlands at this preserve, where you can hike or birdwatch.
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Keystone Pinellas Trail at Keystone Road
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John Chesnut Sr. Park
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Highland Nature Park
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Park with a boardwalk and a deck with lake views, as well as a kid-friendly playground.