On a whim stopped at Cypress Creek Preserve on a cooler day in November. The preserve is a great…read morespot if you want to kill a couple of hours walking on unshaded and shaded paths. The preserve has a starting point with a wide path that has smaller paths that branch off. The main path is not shaded but if you take one of side paths, they are relatively shaded. The scenery was beautiful. There were small ponds, one of which is right as you head into the main entrance on the right. The landscape at times was simply breath-taking with hundreds of year-old trees and variety of wildlife to remind you that this a shared space. As other's mentioned, I would likely not go to this preserve after a sustain rainfall as it's easy to tell that the land quickly turns into a marsh and with a marshier environment comes snacks. We only did one trail of the main trail which equated to about 3 miles so it's not a small preserve by any means. Definitely work go back and parking is free!

I wanted to express my gratitude to Ian who is new to the ground keeping job. He has been nothing…read morebut extraordinary in his prompt attention to the much needed trail maintenance. Ian not only is very efficient, but he is extremely helpful and friendly. Whoever hired him.. thank you! This man is a gem! I run in the park everyday.

Beautiful place to either bike, walk, run, inline skate...we even saw some electric scooters racing…read morethrough. Facilities are always clean and open and the park is taken care of. My fiance and I walked just under 5 miles and the pavement wasnt overly packed with bikers. Everyone is pretty friendly and share the road. We entered from Bruce B Downs but we have used both entrances. The front entrance is more walker/runner friendly since you aren't immediately at the 7 mile loop.

Great park! Went to the Bruce B Downs entrance. Parking was plentiful and only $2. It's a nice 11…read moremile loop. They offer rest areas and water stations. Very pretty, clean, and well maintained.

This is really a lovely park. There are access points on at least three sides. Takomah St. Has the…read morebig parking lot. The lake / pond is through the woods over the boardwalk on the other side. There is also a playground. Lovely birds. Some butterflies. Various ferns. Wetland, forest, grassy and parklike areas. Plenty of space to wander, explore, run around. I enjoyed my visit. Lettuce Lake is more big time, on the river, and you can see gators there, but this is a lovely escape and a nice place to relax. Walk your dog. Get a nature fix.

This is a pretty decent park to take the little ones to. There are various playground equipments…read morearound for the kids to play and a short trail.

Looking for some beautiful nature with some walking trails, water, and animals? Seek no further,…read moreViolet Cury preserve had it all. Located about 15 minutes away from us, it's the perfect spot for a walk and a much needed breath of fresh air. The preserve is larger than we expect and after about 30-45 minutes and a mile and a half later we called it a day. The preserve is beautiful with dirt paths, nature and plenty of birds. There are no paved paths or boardwalk, this preserve is simplistic and all about the beauty that surrounds you. We came on a pretty cold day and plan to come back when it's a bit warmer. Highly recommend.

Great local park with plenty of parking along Sinclair Hills Rd, although it can be difficult to…read moreback out onto this semi-busy two lane road at rush hour. The preserve has three main trails with yellow, blue and red blaze marks on the trees. There is a map at the entrance so take a picture before heading out because you will forget. You can walk at least 2.25 miles if you follow each trail in their entirety. Several ponds and lakes make for pretty views and many birds. Couple spots with ditches and undulations make the trek interesting. The preserve is surrounded by houses so you will see those as you walk some trails. In the middle of the park, hidden a bit by bushes and trees that are slowly encroaching and taking it back is the foundation and about 4 inches of the block wall of what I assume is Violet Cury and her husband's former home. Wish the county or organization that maintains the preserve would put a marker here announcing what it used to be or look like. The view through the trees onto the biggest lake leads you to imagine what life was like for the two and their visitors back in the day when they lived there. Also wish they would clear some of the debris, roots and bushes that are slowly taking it over. Worried future generations won't be able to see the site like it is today. Most of the trails are quiet, although the ones along the south you do hear and see all the traffic along Sinclair Hills Rd. This is a pretty park where you can explore, look at old oak trees and walk the dog. Thank you Hillsborough County for buying this property years ago for our enjoyment!

Came with the puppy to explore the trails. It was not hard getting here and I think I've just…read morediscovered our new favorite trails in the area. It was so quiet and peaceful out here. And not crowded at all on a Saturday morning. We did the three trails - bobcat, otter and eagle. I was using the AllTrails app to navigate all three as it's not well marked as to where each one is until you're right at the sign. Overall it was about a 2.6 mile hike for us. We started on the otter trail when we should have started on bobcat for a more fluid walk. We had to backtrack a lot to find our way. And the eagle trail kinda dead ends so you gotta go back the way you came. It did get a little busier as we were finishing up around noontime. Everyone we met along the way was friendly - humans and dogs. Saw families playing in fields and people fishing from the dock. No mosquitoes except on the bobcat trail. Can't say how it will be though when the weather is hotter. Huge and beautiful park. We will definitely be back to this one.

There's a fee to enter the park, but it's worth it to take a few trails and spend a lot of time…read moreoutdoors. The trails are easy to navigate and are good for people of all levels. The nature center has a bathroom and a bit of information, but all the displays were empty, including the outdoor one that allegedly used to have a tortoise. There are canoes to rent if you're into that. Overall, it was a nice, uncrowded park to spend some time outdoors.

Lake Roger's Park is a hidden gem. You feel like you are away from the world, but hear a car every…read morenow and then to remind you the road is not far away. I found that comforting considering we were skittish on the hiking trail with barely any people and lots of animal noises. That said, had a great time. We took the Red Loop around Roger's Lake. Path is a mix of sand, dirt, and tree roots. Well maintained and relatively flat so safe for kiddos and pets. Path is clearly marked and you can't get lost. A big loop with frequent intersections to the blue path. Park is easy to find right off the main road. Parking was easy in the lot with a kiosk to pay the flat $2 all day parking fee. There are a couple Port-O-Potties near the parking lot but none in the park so plan accordingly. I saw several pavilions, benches, water bladders for refills (I definitely suggest bringing your own because how long as that water been there), and there was plenty of shade throughout the park. The views are lovely. Lots of nature to enjoy in peace. I saw a few people with dogs, but not crowded by any means. Also very clean. No trash thrown about. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and hope to go again.

This is a very nice, well-maintained 272 acre county park & preserve on Lake Rogers that is open…read morefrom 7 AM to 6 PM daily. It officially opened in March 2000. A full day ticket is $2 (cash or credit); place the ticket on your dashboard. Near the park's entrance are three portable toilets. There are benches; covered picnic areas (some w/ grills); two water stations complete w/ paper cups; plant & animal signage; a nature trail; & side trails. There are 2.25 miles of trails & three levels -- easy or short (green), intermediate or longer (blue), and hardest or longest (red). They are well-maintained & include the following trail floors: dirt, sand, grass, & fallen leaves. One section of the trail is marked "Birding Trail." Oak & Pine trees are prevalent throughout the park. Due to some small tree roots crisscrossing sections of the trail (see pic), unlike another Yelper I do not recommend this park for the elderly or disabled. There is a canoe/kayak launch area & a fishing area for "catch and release catfish & bass." There's also a trail that overlooks neighboring Raleigh Lake. Animals you may see include bald eagles, osprey, & wading birds, as well as opossums, raccoons, & otters. (We unfortunately saw just ants, butterflies, bees, & dragonflies.) The park includes Flatwoods & oak hammocks. In some areas, the tall trees will protect you from the sun. In others, it's full sun (& hot)! Camping for 501c youth groups is offered @ $2 per person. Reservations can be made for a minimum of 12 campers. Amenities include: portable water, fire pits, picnic tables, & access to restrooms & showers. There are two camping sites; one holds a maximum of 25 campers. The other holds a maximum of 50. Phone #813.264.3806 to book your outing. This was a pleasant hiking experience in a clean park. We came across just two separate hikers in the park-- both experienced hikers...and each oddly masked:) The only suggestion I would make to the park overseers is to mark the trails better; there were no markers each time a trail came to a "V" before separating. It was a tad perplexing, but not a major concern. Will definitely return to hike a different trail here if in the area again.

My husband is training for a 5K fun, so we decided to visit this park so that he can run. It's lots…read moreof nature out here. When I parked, I saw signs that's letting people know that it's alligators and other wildlife that lives in the park. I love wildlife, but when it comes to gators able to walk around freely, it's a NO, for me. LOL! So, I sat in the car, until my husband completed his run. If in the area, I may stop by. There are picnic tables, a playground for kids and a dog park for your pets. :-) Enjoy!

Visited Al Lopez Park for a 5K race. There was ample parking. Clean family, friendly environment…read moreplenty of pavilions. There were also nice bathrooms there.

Right on the water at Hillsborough Bay, this is a park that has it all. Fishing on the waterfront,…read morehiking through the forest, or enjoying a Picnic under the trees. There are lots of other amenities as well. Ample parking, and if you're lucky you can find a place to park in the shade.

The park is located on the east coast in South Tampa. It has picnic area, pier, boat ramp,…read morerestaurant-Taste of Boston. The view of downtown is beautiful and it's nice and relaxing to sit around and listen to the birds and the water.