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    Violet Cury Preserve

    4.5 (21 reviews)

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    Beautiful day for a walk
    Marlon S.

    I used to pass by this park everyday and never noticed all the cars alongside of the road. Until one day I said to myself "I have to stop here one day". So one day after working out at another park down the street I finally made that stop. I got out of the car and walked to the main entrance and saw all the routes you can take and I was amazed. I was excited to know that there was a new walking path I can take in the woods. I usually come here about twice a week just to unwind and just think about life. There's bugs, squirrels around but I've never seen anything dangerous. But always keep your head on the swivel when walking at the park. You never know who can be walking there. It's a great vibe. Bring a partner and you can figure everything about life as you stroll around for a few miles.

    Feb 2020: No vehicle access
    Kaitlyn S.

    Beautiful park hidden within a part of the outlying Tampa area that's covered in asphalt; laden w/ lower socioeconomic homes & transients; & w/ a conglomerate of businesses. This park allows foot access only. It's open DAILY from 8 AM till 8 PM. I suggest you read Nick's review-- it pretty much covers (well) the entire preserve. Lots of easy trails & a lovely lake. I enjoyed my time here on a beautiful cool & sunny late morning. However, there are no bathrooms, which forced an earlier exit than I would have liked. And, unfortunately, there was a lone gentleman walking nearby who was a little too sketchy for my liking (& I was without a phone). My pad of paper & Batman pen weren't very reassuring:-) I'll definitely return, but w/ a mate...or more. Better yet, I highly recommend driving northwest to Crews Lake Wilderness Park in Spring Hill--

    Never been here, drove by thousands of times
    Scott K.

    Do you like nature? Getting lost in the woods? How about Lime disease? All of this and more is waiting to be discovered at this park. So dust off your orienteering merit badge you got right after the Eagle scouts threw you inside your sleeping bag into Medard park lake. Hit the trails with your best Doggy, A horse if you have one, or just your partner and the kids. Nature in the middle of Lutz without all the boardwalks of lettuce lake park. I've driven by this place so many times over the years.(Sinclair hills is a great cut through road) I finally decided to give it a walk through. I finally used my compass app and headed east down an obvious horse trail. At some point I saw signs with numbers which is probably trail markings for novices. The pine trees out there are towering, the oaks old and wind in weird directions looking for the space to grab some sun. I saw a family having a picnic by a pond, people giving Fido some exercise and a group of teens coming back from trying out their Christmas present fishing gear. Need to bleed away your stress? Walk in the woods! It is peaceful, quiet, and great cardio. The density of the trees allows some wind, but be prepared to sweat from April to October. Local tip: wear long pants that go over your shoes. Summer is tick, chiggers, and other bugs feeding time. I loved the trails that seem to just blaze through brush everywhere. The big ones will probably take you back where you came from eventually. Do yourself a favor and go get lost in the woods. You have gps to save the day!

    Chris W.

    One of the few good things I can say about the pandemic is that it motivated me to explore many of the parks that Hillsborough County operates for its citizens. The Violet Cury Preserve has 160 acres with over over 2 miles of paths to explore. It was confusing walking up to the entrance because there was a metal gate that was locked shut. We initially thought that the park was closed but I think it's just to keep cars out because there's a human-sized gap in the fencing on the side that people were just walking through. I liked that the paths were so wide because it made social distancing quite easy when you passed other people. During the walk we spotted more than one turtle and an egret. There are two bodies of water that you can encounter while exploring the nature preserve. I thought that the trail map at the beginning was not even remotely helpful. If you look at the map you'll just see three loops and one long dead end. In reality when you get out on the paths things are very different. We were constantly hitting forks in the path or intersections where you had multiple paths to choose from. It's extremely confusing. The parking situation is also quite unpleasant. There's no parking lot so you have to park along the fence off of the road. That means to leave you have to back up onto Sinclair Hills Road where people are often traveling at excessive speed. This is a decent choice for exploring nature but I much prefer some of the other Hillsborough nature parks.

    Lake view
    Zhaire R.

    This was my first time visiting this trail and Omg! It's so pretty and nice!!!!! I went to enjoy a small breakfast and well needed walk through nature, and it couldn't have been more amazing. Even though there were multiple groups of people there, I rarely ran into anyone o.O so that just tells you this is definitely a huge and beautiful truly enjoy if you like solitude and long walks. I for sure recommend giving it a visit! It's so quiet and peaceful you won't regret it :D

    Trail by the water

    I really enjoy this nature preserve because you could take you're time on a longer trail or enjoy a short walk on the red trail. The only issue I have is that this preserve is smaller and popular. It is well maintained by hillsborough county but there are always people on it, if you're looking to enjoy some exclusivity then I recommend Cypress Creek

    Nick S.

    This is a BEAUTIFUL preserve with small ponds, a lake fire trails with lovely flowers around the park edges and hiking trails. Lots of gopher tortoises. FREE. No bathrooms. I found the trail map absolutely usless. There are trails all through the park and they don't seem to be on the map. Also the firebreak trails aren't on the map. But once you ignore the marked trails are on the map and go by where the lakes and ponds are you should be fine. Park entrance on Sinclari Hills Road and park backs uo to Curry Road where there is also a walk through entrance and another at 16199 N. 15th St. Wildflowers. Lotus flowers. Birds. Tortoises. Water views. This is a great park. And perhaps the biggest plus of all: Mama Taylor's BBQ is in a trailer at where Sinclair Hills Road huts Nebraska. Get some!!! Smoked mullet too. And crab chilau (enchilada) if you special order.

    simona n.

    We have been to this beautiful preserve a few times now, what a gorgeous park! You can spend a good 1 -2 hours here just enjoying the scenic atmosphere. There are tons of tillsandias around, but usually growing in the ground, which is not very common! You can bring the pups too! Easy trail nothing difficult, I would still wear hiking boots though, can get muddy.

    Mushroom of unknown variety

    Theres a lot of so called "dog parks", but this place is where we go instead. Less than a mile away from home, very safe with well marked easy to navigate trails, and beautiful plants, trees, mosses, and views...

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Nice little park. Nothing too exciting but path was big and easy. Well marked to hike

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Have been going here for years when I lived closer to it. Still love everything about it, had to give a review

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Nice trails but poorly marked. Free parking. Beautiful lake. No water to drink. No rest rooms.

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    Review Highlights - Violet Cury Preserve

    I really enjoy this nature preserve because you could take you're time on a longer trail or enjoy a short walk on the red trail.

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    Timberline Glamping - Comes with reusable cup

    Timberline Glamping

    4.3(10 reviews)
    13.8 mi

    This was an easy jaunt from Tampa for the weekend. The "glampsites" are located in the Hillsborough…read moreState Park among all the regular camp sites. The accommodations are beyond comfortable- a/c, fan, fridge, coffee maker, outlets to charge devices, and a comfortable bed. We basically had the comforts of a hotel room while being on a camping trip. The esthetics and convenient set up ensures we'll definitely be back!

    The last time I went camping was in the 20th century, and I was an Eagle Scout. Wanting to ensure…read moreour first "camping" experience since then would be one to remember and inspire more, I chose glamping to reduce the heavy lifting. And boy, am I glad I did. Not because of the: - Ice-cold AC that felt like a personal Arctic breeze - Mini fridge that perfectly held all our essentials (and a sneaky stash of chocolate for S'mores) - Keurig coffee maker that made mornings in the wild feel like a cozy café - Extremely comfy beds that cradled us like marshmallows - Strategically placed fan keeping the cool air flowing and the bugs away - All in a safe, clean, well-appointed tent and campsite that made us feel like nature royalty But also for the pure joy of being able to immerse ourselves in nature with none of the hassle. In just five minutes, you could be on the river or fishing. We saw everything from alligators and turtles to amazing birds. The water was crystal clear, and the campers were extremely friendly and respectful. Even the shower water was hot with great pressure - a true luxury in the wild. For novices and pros alike, this is the perfect way to introduce kids and adults to camping. You get the best of both worlds - the thrill of the great outdoors with the comforts of home. However, a quick tip for fellow glampers: make sure the Velcro seams on your tent are sealed. Otherwise, you might wake up at 3 am to a raccoon staring at you eye to eye, munching on a bag of Cheetos. Trust me, nothing says "good morning" quite like a critter with a penchant for junk food and personal space invasion! In the end, our glamping trip was the perfect blend of comfort and adventure. Whether you're a seasoned camper or a first-timer, this experience is bound to leave you with great memories and a newfound appreciation for the great outdoors - with the added bonus of a good night's sleep and no backaches. Plus, you get to tell the tale of your midnight raccoon rendezvous - a true badge of glamping honor!

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    Timberline Glamping
    Timberline Glamping
    Timberline Glamping

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    Lake Rogers Park - Lake level low

    Lake Rogers Park

    4.6(22 reviews)
    9.1 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Lake Rogers Park - Path with shade

    Path with shade

    Lake Rogers Park - Sit in bench to enjoy the lake view

    Sit in bench to enjoy the lake view

    Lake Rogers Park - This tree been felled for a long time

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    This tree been felled for a long time

    Lettuce Lake Park - not sure what bird this its

    Lettuce Lake Park

    4.7(269 reviews)
    4.4 mi

    I have been visiting this park for years!…read more This is on my "Host Suggestions" list when we have guests in town and is a hit every time! We visited the park recently and were on the hunt for as many bird species we could identify. Found some birds we had never seen before and it was so much fun trying to hunt them down by their calls. I've never not seen a gator when visiting but you had to take your time and look closely. I can't say enough about this park. Just $2 to enter the park. There are picnic areas you can reserve, volleyball courts, playgrounds, trails, restrooms and an onsite nature center. You really cannot ask for much more. Definitely worth the visit!

    Lettuce Lake Park was such a beautiful place to spend the morning with my family this past weekend…read more Parking was $2 and cash only upon entry. There was ample parking available. We walked the paved trail all around the park and got to check out the boardwalk too. We were able to see snakes, turtles, rabbits and alligators while we were here which was exciting. I didn't know there was a nature center building, but once we saw it we went ahead and checked it out. There was a lot of educational things about the park history, environment, animals, etc inside the building. On the outside of the nature center is a native plant garden. You can also rent canoes and kayaks, but we didn't do that on our visit. Overall: highly recommend! I will definitely be back especially with the weather cooling down later in the year!

    Photos
    Lettuce Lake Park - Not sure what bird this its

    Not sure what bird this its

    Lettuce Lake Park - WE SURVIVED

    WE SURVIVED

    Lettuce Lake Park - Gator

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    Gator

    Violet Cury Preserve - parks - Updated May 2026

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