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Starkey Wilderness Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · Running trail in NEW PRT RCHY, Florida · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Starkey Wilderness 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.
What runners say about Starkey Wilderness Preserve
“So, you better keep your dog close ;-) A beautiful Saturday at 76 F and we didn't meet anybody after we had passed the 3 -mile loop.”
“I walk through the woods and find a nice quiet place to play on my phone and stuff.”
One of the biggest parks around. Several types of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Not all who wander are lost.
A beautiful nature preserve with tons of trails for bikes, walks, and horses! Some paved trails, some sand/shell/rock. Lots of beautiful old trees that provide great shade for majority of the area! We saw some tortoises as well which was a fun treat!
Finally a place close to Tampa Bay where you can stretch your legs without running into houses, roads, or noise. The hiking trails are wide while the bike trails are narrow and winding. Some stretches of trails consist of deep sand that might be a bit strenuous but overall the trails feel nice underfoot.
Beautiful park to visit. Very will managed and all the staff are passionate about the park and it’s amenities offered. Bike trails paved, trail hikes and nature walks, horse trails and a nature education building. Board walks to the creek, pavilions and many playgrounds for kids.
Trail conditions & character
“So, you better keep your dog close ;-) A beautiful Saturday at 76 F and we didn't meet anybody after we had passed the 3 -mile loop.”
“Grills, party pavilions, clean restrooms, playground, paved bike paths, foot paths, equestrian trails, countless new smells for the dogs too!”
“Grills, party pavilions, clean restrooms, playground, paved bike paths, foot paths, equestrian trails, countless new smells for the dogs too!”
“I walk through the woods and find a nice quiet place to play on my phone and stuff.”
“So, you better keep your dog close ;-) A beautiful Saturday at 76 F and we didn't meet anybody after we had passed the 3 -mile loop.”
“Grills, party pavilions, clean restrooms, playground, paved bike paths, foot paths, equestrian trails, countless new smells for the dogs too!”
“Impressively large park with a newly asphalted 6 miles bike path that weaves from one side of the park to the other with toilets and water stations on both ends.”
Plan your run at Starkey Wilderness Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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 trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteswfwmd.state.fl.us
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near NEW PRT RCHY
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Way Point 1
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Starkey Park Bike Trail Head
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Scenic park with paved trails, a playground, picnic tables, shelters and pavilions.
Starkey Wilderness Bike Trail
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Clean, beautiful park featuring paved and unpaved paths, picnic tables and tortoises.
Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park
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This sizable tract of public land offers opportunities for camping, nature viewing, fishing & more.
Starkey Park Entrance
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