Back in December, we mentioned that we were doing the Hillsborough County Hiking Spree and at that time we had done three of the parks and reviewed them. Since then we have completed 5 more trails, including Hillsborough River State Park and Alafia River State Park which we have reviewed in the past, in order to earn our patches for the Hillsborough County Hiking Spree.
The 2023-2024 Hiking Spree includes 22 different trails, with a goal to walk 8 of them between November 1st and March 31st. Registration is a simple online form, and when you have completed your trails you self report and then print up your confirmation email and visit one of the places to pick up your souvenir of choice. This year they are offering a patch, a hiking stick medallion, or a dog bandana. We'd definitely recommend it for for the many options.
Hillsborough River State Park
Located at 15402 US. 301 North, Thonotosassa, Florida, entrance to the park is $6 a car load. They are open from 8 to sunset. The Baynard Trail is 1.1 mile hike, complete with a suspension bridge. We visited on Friday afternoon December 29th and the weather was cold and crisp. The Baynard Trail is only 1.1 mile, but with the distance to the start of the trail it was more like 1.5 miles. It was ranked by the Hillsborough County Hiking Spree as a moderate trail. We discussed our visit to Hillsborough River State Park in a previous post.
Lake Conservation Park
Located at 17302 North Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz, Florida, entrance to the park is $2 a car load. They are open from 8 to 6 this time of year, and 8 to 7 during daylight savings time. The Lake Vista Trail is 1.5 miles and was an easy hike. We went on Sunday, January 7th while it was breezy and cool, but sunny. Roughly half the trail follows a gravel path around the lake while the other half is along the roadway. Walking along a road with toddlers isn't my idea of a good hike, for that reason we wouldn't recommend this one.
While Gary and I weren't that impressed with the trail, there were several exercise stations along the trail portion which the kids of course loved. There were also a couple of playgrounds too that were pretty nice but busy on Sunday when we went. The kids would have liked to have stopped there, but since it was the twins birthday and we wanted to get back home to celebrate with cake and presents we didn't check them out more closely. It was a good day, just not the kind of trail we've grown to prefer.
Stephen J. Wortham Park
Located at 12108 Rhodine Road, Riverview, Florida, entrance to the park is free. The Bluestern Hiking Trail is 1.4 miles through the park, but there is an adjacent preserve with more trails for those who are interested in doing more hiking. We hiked this trail Sunday, March 3th on a hot spring day. It was an easy and though a rather sunny and sandy hike.
Along the trail we were accompanied for a short while by a large gopher turtle, before he took a turn onto a little game trail. I first saw him after Rebecca and Kate had continued on past him. They said I thought it was a really round rock. The kids gathered around to examine and pet him, before sharing a little of their water with him. After our hike we took some time to play on the playground. Of course first we had to dump out our tennis shoes since we all had picked up quite a bit of sand on them on the hike. Despite the heat and lack of shade it was a good day with a short simple hike and some playground time.
Lake Dan Nature Preserve
Located at 19116 Huckaville Road, Odessa, Florida, entrance to the park is free. They are open from sunrise to sunset. The 2 mile Pasture to Prairie Trail is on the preserve which covers 1100 acres. We hiked this trail Sunday, March 10th on a brisk spring day.  It was an easy hike, the first part is through a wooded area and has beautiful ferns and flowers scattered throughout. The rest is through an old cow pasture, and while open, is more ordinary.
The trail includes a wooden bridge over a small pond near the entrance, and then there is also a pier (which doesn't quite reach the water anymore) at the end of the trail. This trail isn't a loop but a straight out and back course. The kids thought the hike was worth it, though Gary was disappointed with over half of it being just a cow pasture. We had great weather for our hike as it was 78 degrees with a slight breeze.
Alafia River State Park
Located at 14326 South County Road 39, Lithia, Florida, entrance to the park is $5 a car load. They are open from 8 to sunset. The Old Agrico Hiking Trail is only .8 miles, but with all the elevation changes the trail makes for fairly strenuous hiking, and is ranked by the Hillsborough County Hiking Spree as one of the most difficult trails for this year. We visited on Saturday afternoon March 30th and the weather was a little warm, but not bad. We have visited another area of the Alafia River State Park in a previous post.
Completing the Hillsborough County Hiking Spree
All in all we really enjoyed this activity and the kids felt super accomplished for completing their 8 trails to earn a new patch. This is an activity that we will most likely participate in again in 2024-2025. If you are in the area you should definitely check it out.
Comments