The beautiful 7 mile loop at Flatwoods park in Tampa, Florida

Flatwoods Park, located in Hillsborough County, is a little nature oasis amidst the Tampa Bay suburban congestion. When you are at Flatwoods, you feel like you are out in the wilderness. The park is very quiet with a very rustic wilderness vibe, not really found at many other parks in the region. Beautiful native pine flatwood forests comprise most of the park. During the morning hours, you may be able to see various forms of wildlife including deer, bobcats, and gators (more commonly seen during the cooler winter months).

Pine flatwoods at Tampa's Flatwoods Park

The Flatwoods Loop trail – 7 miles of Florida pines

The highlight here is a 7 mile paved multi-purpose trail which is ideal for biking, walking, running, or skating. Tree-lined views line the entire route providing a much needed change of scenery from surrounding cluttered suburbia. As you bike or walk along, you will be treated to endless views of the pine forests. At times, I almost forget that I am in Florida! The Flatwoods Loop is very flat, making it easily accessible to everyone.

Gorgeous views of the forests on the Flatwoods Loop at Tampa's Flatwoods park
Beautiful pine trees lining Florida's Flatwoods Loop
Tall pines lining the Florida Flatwoods Loop - Flatwoods Park in Tampa
The boarwalk at Flatwoods Park in Tampa, Florida

The entire loop took us a little under an hour and a half. We enjoyed a moderate morning in the upper 70’s/low 80’s. Plan your adventure early before the temperatures climb into the 90’s. Or better yet, save this one for the fall/winter season. Florida heat and humidity during the peak of summer can be downright dangerous!

Traffic was very light on a Sunday morning with only a handful of other cyclists and the occasional jogger. I highly recommend this park if you are looking for a quiet weekend escape, if only for a few hours. Here you can enjoy the more wild side of Florida – scenic, peaceful, and quiet with the absence of traffic, crowds, and strip malls!

Beautiful forest views at Tampa's Flatwoods Park

Other activities to enjoy at Flatwoods include: nature trails, birdwatching, and picnicking.

Tips for a great ride

*Bring with a reusable water bottle. There are stations to refill. Or, wear a camelbak for convenient access.

*Make sure your bike is properly tuned.

*Wear loose fitting clothing.

*Wear sunscreen and a hat.

*Bring with a camera – plenty of great photo opportunities.

*Avoid summer biking, if possible. If you must, plan summer rides in the morning or evening to avoid extreme heat and sunshine.

*Pick up a trail map (located next to the bathroom).

*Pack a picnic lunch for your visit. It’s a beautiful park to relax and enjoy the afternoon.

*A walk along the boardwalk nature trail is a great place to take a break and observe the wetlands.

Location & Parking

There are 2 entrances to the park. One is located at 14302 Morris Bridge Road in Thonotosassa and the other at 18205 Bruce Downs Road in Tampa. Hours are sunrise to sunset. Parking is $2 per car.

For free parking, park at New Tampa Nature Park where you can conveniently connect to the Flatwoods Loop.

Be aware that from the Bruce Downs Road parking lot, you will need to bike or walk approximately 2 miles before reaching the loop (the ride from the Morris Bridge lot is a bit shorter). So your entire ride/walk will be about 11 miles round trip (you can always turn back earlier if you are not able to complete the entire route). Mile markers located along the route are helpful to track your distance. I also recommend a GPS watch like the Garmin Forerunner to track your pace and total time.