Tampa, Florida is a beautiful place to plan outdoor activities! There are lots of great hiking trails in Tampa, which travel through downtown, or wander by rivers and bays in this scenic city. Thanks to Tampa’s warm weather, you can get outside to hike in almost any season. There are also plenty of hikes that are suitable for kids and pets, so you can get the whole family out on the trail!
1.) The Tampa Riverwalk
2.) The Al Lopez Park Trail
3.) The Davis Island Trail
4.) The Upper Tampa Bay Eagle Trail
5.) The Cypress Creek Red and Yellow Loop
The Tampa Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk is a scenic stroll along the water right in downtown Tampa. It’s a popular trail, and you’ll probably see other runners, walkers, bikers, or families on the path as well. Although it’s almost 5 miles long, since it’s an out-and-back trail, you can cut it short at any point if you have kids who won’t make it that far.
Address: Poe Garage, 800 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Mileage: 4.8 miles
In and Out Trail
Terrain: This is a paved trail and is easy for wheelchairs and strollers to navigate.
Difficulty: This is generally considered an easy trail and can be hiked by kids.
Open year-round: Yes
Miles from downtown Tampa: 0 miles from downtown Tampa
Pet-friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid-friendly? Yes, this trail is flat and easy to walk or bike. Kids may not be able to hike the entirety of the trail, but you can turn around at any point along the path.
The Al Lopez Park Trail
The Al Lopez Park Trail is a popular spot for birdwatching, fishing, walking, and enjoying the scenery at the park. The park is a great place for a family bike ride, or to fish in one of the freshwater ponds in the area.
Address: 4810 N Himes Ave Tampa, FL 33614
Mileage: 1.1 miles
Loop Trail
Terrain: The trail is paved, and is generally considered manageable for wheelchairs and strollers. It’s also a flat trail without any hills.
Difficulty: This is an easy, short trail and can be hiked by kids.
Open year-round? Yes
Miles from downtown Tampa: 6 miles from downtown Tampa
Pet friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid friendly? Yes, this is a kid-friendly trail. Kids can walk or bike the flat trail and should be able to complete it easily.
The Davis Island Trail
The Davis Island Trail is a popular trail and is in high use among runners and bikers. People also use the trail to head out fishing. There’s also a small airport nearby, and you may spot planes landing or taking off.
Address: 650 Severn Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Mileage: 2.6 miles
In and Out Trail
Terrain: This trail is paved and is easy terrain for running or biking. Wheelchairs and strollers are manageable on this trail as well.
Difficulty: This is an easy trail and can be hiked by kids. Younger kids may want a stroller if you walk the entire trail.
Open year-round? Yes
Miles from downtown Tampa: 3 miles from downtown Tampa
Pet friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid friendly? Yes, this trail is kid-friendly! There is almost no elevation gain, so they won’t have to manage steep hills. Very young children may need a stroller to complete the 2.6-mile distance, but many children can walk the entire trail on their own.
Upper Tampa Bay Eagle Trail
The Upper Tampa Bay Eagle Trail is a very short trail to an observation area overlooking the Tampa Bay. You’ll spot plenty of birds and possibly other wildlife as well. The boardwalk makes a fun surface for kids to walk, although it may make stroller and wheelchair access more difficult.
Address: 8001 Double Branch Rd, Tampa, FL 33635
Mileage: 0.7 miles
In and Out Trail
Terrain: The trail is gravel or wooden boardwalk and may be tougher for strollers and wheelchairs to manage than a paved trail.
Difficulty: This is an easy trail that can be hiked by kids. There is minimal elevation gain, the trail is short, and there are benches along the way for resting.
Open year-round? Yes
Miles from downtown Tampa: 15 miles from downtown Tampa
Pet friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid friendly? This is a kid-friendly trail, with plenty of spots to sit and rest and beautiful views of the bay.
Cypress Creek Red and Yellow Loop
The Cypress Creek Red and Yellow Loop is a less-popular trail, so it’s a great choice if you’re looking for some solitude. You’ll wander through the flatwoods, and see a variety of trees and plants. You may also see local wildlife. The trail isn’t big on scenic views, but it is teeming with life!
Address: 18000 Lizards Tail Rd, Tampa, FL 33647
Mileage: 2.9 miles
Loop Trail
Terrain: This trail is boardwalk and dirt. It is more challenging for wheelchairs and strollers to navigate than a smooth paved trail.
Difficulty: This is an easy trail
Open year-round? Yes
Miles from downtown Tampa: 22 miles from downtown Tampa
Pet friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid friendly? This is a kid-friendly trail. Kids can look for a variety of trees and flowers along the trail, along with local wildlife.
Tampa Trails
There are lots of trails in Tampa that are perfectly suited for the whole family. Many of these are multi-use, so you can walk, run, or bike. Thanks to the mild Florida weather, just about every trail is hikeable year-round. Also, thanks to Tampa’s location by the water, many trails have scenic views of rivers, ponds, and the bay.
RV Camping in Tampa
RVing is a wonderful way to experience Tampa, and is a great option if you enjoy hiking and being outdoors! You’ll find plenty of RV campgrounds in Tampa, and many of those are near hiking trails and other outdoor spots. You can also camp at state parks near Tampa like Hillsborough River State Park or Alafia River State Park.
RV Rentals in Tampa
RVshare has lots of RV rentals in Tampa, so you can search for the perfect motorhome or trailer for your trip. If you’re camping as a family, you may want to consider a Class C camper. Camping alone or as a couple? A Class B campervan may suit you. Class A motorhomes are the largest option and can sometimes sleep up to 10 people.
Other Things To Do in Tampa
There are lots of fun things to do in Tampa! Visit Busch Gardens amusement park and zoo for roller coasters and animal viewing. Head to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park to kayak, hike, watch mermaid shows, or visit the Buccaneer Bay water park. Then, fill up at Farmacy Vegan Kitchen & Bakery or Miguel’s Mexican Seafood and Grill with a delicious meal.
Enjoy your time outdoors in beautiful Tampa!
