HomeFloridaZephyrhills › Upper Hillsborough Preserve ~ Alston Tract

Upper Hillsborough Preserve ~ Alston Tract

4.2 ★★★★☆ 46 Google reviews · Running trail in Zephyrhills, Florida · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
16 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Upper Hillsborough Preserve ~ Alston Tract'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.

16 miScenicStroller / ADARestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Spot for horseback riding and hiking, offering picnic areas and a campground.

What runners say about Upper Hillsborough Preserve ~ Alston Tract

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (46 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Beautiful oaks, pines and southern magnolias.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 7 mentions

“We enjoy the country quiet and a country dark sky.”

1st time here with my BSA Troop for a weekend CAMP out. Lovely place. Boys went hiking. Hunting season is around this time so be prepared to he woken up at 530am. Also no potable water bring your own fresh water. Overall great place. Boys loved the place definitely will come back.

★★★★★ — Gladys , Nov 2017

Very nice area. Great place to do some hiking. There are multiple Trails you can go down. I pretty much see something new every time I go. Access is 100% free. You can also Camp here, or horseback ride.

★★★★★ — Nick , Dec 2017

Another nice place to hike and ride bikes while visiting our friends from Maine that are camping at the Alston Campground. Also great place to try to find some of the geocaches hidden in the reserve

★★★★★ — Doug , Jan 2019

Nice place to camp. Great trails to adventure down. Onky thing that wasnt good was that the porta potty has not been emptied in quite awhile. Good thing the gas station is about 2 miles away!

★★★★☆ — Annie , Feb 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 46 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.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 7 mentions

“We enjoy the country quiet and a country dark sky.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“Beautiful oaks, pines and southern magnolias.”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“Onky thing that wasnt good was that the porta potty has not been emptied in quite awhile.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

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Plan your run at Upper Hillsborough Preserve ~ Alston Tract

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • Distance16 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiteswfwmd.state.fl.us
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday 9 AM–5 PM
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Upper Hillsborough Preserve ~ Alston Tract

42144 Deems Rd, Zephyrhills, FL 33540

Get directions

Running trails near Zephyrhills

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

Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 175 reviews

Plant City, FL

2 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

3.8 miles away

Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 245 reviews

Kathleen, FL

23 miScenic

Serene nature preserve with 14 miles of hiking, walking & equestrian trails, plus fishing & camping.

3.8 miles away

Gunner paw park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 303 reviews

Zephyrhills, FL

ShadedDog-friendly

Popular park featuring fenced areas for large and small dogs to socialize and play.

4.1 miles away

Krusen Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 24 reviews

Zephyrhills, FL

4.7 miles away

Veterans Memorial Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 69 reviews

Zephyrhills, FL

PavedDog-friendly

Peaceful, informal park featuring an asphalt path and an off-leash area for dogs, as well as a BMX track.

5.1 miles away

Shepard Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 109 reviews

Zephyrhills, FL

Park with basketball courts and playground, as well as a swing set.

5.3 miles away

All running trails in Zephyrhills, 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.