Peaceful Hiking in St. Petersburg: Weedon Island Preserve
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I love the beaches in St. Pete, but sometimes they just get too crowded. Whether you are a local looking to bypass the tourists or a tourist looking for something low-key to do, I recommend checking out some of the wonderful parks and preserves in the area. Weedon Island is one of your best bets for enjoying nature, birdwatching, and wildlife watching in the region. A few hours here will enable you to take a relaxing break from the city and beach congestion, all while discovering new wildlife and taking in beautiful views of the bay and forests.
This park is one of my favorite hidden gems when I want to avoid the crazy beach crowds. Living in the Bay area has been fun and exciting, but sometimes I need a break from the touristy beaches and strip mall congestion. It’s a wonderful place to hike, plus I love seeing so many exotic birds as well as wildlife upclose.
The highlight here is a 45 foot tall observation tower overlooking the Bay. Views of Tampa and St. Petersburg are amazing!
Check out these fantastic views! Many preserves in this area have this same type of boardwalk that you climb to enjoy the scenery – in my opinion, Weedon’s tower provides the best views of the Bay.
You will also see a hint of the Petersburg skyline peeking up above the trees. It’s not that impressive honestly but a view nonetheless.
Hiking Trails
Most preserves in the area offer a handful of easy nature trail. Here, you will have access to the tower via a short half mile stroll along a boardwalk. There are approximately 2 miles of boardwalk trails within the park (they connect to each other via a paved interpretive trail). While there is not much shade, beautiful mangrove forest line both sides of the path. Because of the lack of shade, I recommend saving a walk at this preserve for the fall/winter months.
During your stroll, you will have many opportunities to view the beautiful saltwater ponds, and possibly even hear a mullet jumping in and out of the water. These fish live in tropical waters and are known for leaping out of the water.
In addition to the boardwalk, you will find 3 miles of shaded nature trails – these hikes are more ideal for the hot, sunny summer months. Natural Florida plant life includes pine flatwoods and maritime and xeric hammocks. I recommend the basic 1 mile Boy Scout Loop for a quick outing. For those looking for more of a workout, you can hike on for another 2 miles. In addition, a short interpretative trail is available for those who wish to learn more about the local ecosystems. All trails are flat and easy in terms of intensity.
I love exploring the natural side of Florida! If you are not from the southeast, you will get to see a lot of interesting plant life that you would never see at home.
Wildlife Watching
We see many armadillos here which is pretty cool and unique. They are mostly found in the Southeastern states. As a native of Chicago, I always have a fun time seeing wildlife that I’ve never come across in the Midwest. They are extremely fast! In fact, this was the first time I was able to capture a semi decent photo. As you can see in the 1st picture, this armadillo is attempting to hide as we walk along the trail. As we backed up, we were able to snap a quick photo.
This is a great park for birdwatching, as is pretty much the case at any Bay area park. Weedon is one of hundreds of destinations on the Florida Birding Trail. Basically all of these sites are wonderful places to explore the many species (500+) of birds that live in the state.
We see so many interesting birds no matter which park we choose for the day. This preserve is one of my favorite spots to birdwatch. We also saw the strangest looking bird here (pictured below). This bird never moved an inch, even when we walked right past it. On our return route, the bird was still in the exact same spot!
In winter, be on the lookout for the American White Pelican. Snowy egret and Spoonbill are just a few species which can be seen all year-round. To date, more than 200 species have been observed. You can learn more about the different species you may see on the Ebird website.
On our first visit to this park, we saw this beautiful group of deer. They didn’t move an inch! So peaceful and beautiful! It’s always a cool experience when you come across deer who are so used to humans they don’t even try to hide. I’ve found this to be the case at so many parks here including my favorite, John Chestnut in Palm Harbor. I am used to seeing deer run off quickly in the Chicago suburbs, so it’s strange and exciting to see them so used to people.
If you have time, take a look at the exhibits in the Cultural and Natural History Center. You will pass the center on your way over to the second boardwalk with the observation tower.
Overall, this is a great nature escape in St. Pete. It’s a great choice for hikers, birdwatchers, wildlife watchers, and anyone looking for something relaxing to do. The hiking trails are shaded for the most part and crowds are non-existent.
Special Programs
Several programs are available throughout the month including: guided hikes, bird walks, and photography hikes. To register for any of these events, visit the park’s website. The center is open limited hours, so plan accordingly. (Thursday-Saturday from 9am-4pm).
Amenities within the preserve include: picnic areas, canoe and kayak rentals, and a fishing pier.
Get out there in the morning!
The only problem you may possibly encounter is heat exhaustion. Be careful in the hot, humid – summer afternoons are brutal! Go early or late in the day if possible. If not, bring plenty of water, a fan mister, and hat to block the sun. And, of course, it is best to avoid summer walks altogether. This time of year is best suited for indoor activities like shopping malls and movie theaters. As a local, definitely trust me on this one! If you do head out, skip the unshaded boardwalk trail and opt for a hike instead.
Tips for a great visit
*Bring with plenty of water! I like to use a hiking hydration backpack, so I do not have to carry around multiple water bottles.
*Pick up a hiking map at the main parking lot or print out the one provided on their webpage.
*Do not overexert yourself during the summer season.
*While in St. Pete, be sure to take a stroll around the beautiful downtown district, visit one of the areas top rated beaches, or check the extensive calendar of unique yearly events. This city is super artsy with lots of top rated museums. I really love exploring the glass blown art collection at the Chihuly.
Address/Hours
Location: 1800 Weedon Drive NE in St. Petersburg
Hours: 7am until time posted at the entrance (usually 15 min or so before sunset)
