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Cypress Creek Nature Preserve (Tampa)
4.3 ★★★★☆ 252 Google reviews · Running trail in Tampa, Florida · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Cypress Creek Nature Preserve (Tampa)'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.
A variety of camping sites are available within the property, along with equestrian & biking trails.
What runners say about Cypress Creek Nature Preserve (Tampa)
“The trail is beautiful albeit sort of bumpy and unpaved.”
“This is a very quiet walk on a mowed path with a mix of sun and shade.”
“This is a very quiet walk on a mowed path with a mix of sun and shade.”
Fun trail! We walked the two loop trails as part of the 2021 Hiking Spree. Note that the trailhead is 1300 ft from the designated parking lot. Biomes include palmetto scrub and cypress dome. We heard multiple species of bird, but only saw a cardinal and a yellow fellow of some sort.
Update 6/5/22: Wear old shoes if it has rained, trails pretty wet and can't avoid some of the bigger puddles. I thought it was fun. Did the red trail today which was fine, but the yellow trail and blue spur are prettier and a better walk if your time is limited.
This was a very cool trail! The only weird thing is the entrance. You park in the lot and then have to walk up the road a ways, and the actual trail entrance isn't marked well. It's down a small embankment just off the sidewalk. Kinda weird.
Open sunrise to sunset. Nice parking area and the tail head is a short walk on the sidewalk towards the school. You can’t miss it. I really the well marked and colored trail. Before you go look on the Hillsborough County website for the trail map to get your bearings on the different loops and color markers.
Trail conditions & character
“This particular park has a separate parking area and then a walk of about 100 yards before you actually enter the park.”
“This is a very quiet walk on a mowed path with a mix of sun and shade.”
“The trail is beautiful albeit sort of bumpy and unpaved.”
“There is no cost to visit and there are no restrooms available.”
“This is a very quiet walk on a mowed path with a mix of sun and shade.”
“Also, there should be a sign after the boardwalk when walking back to the exit indicating which direction the exit is.”
Plan your run at Cypress Creek Nature Preserve (Tampa)
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitehillsboroughcounty.org
- Phone(813) 264-8513
- 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 |
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