Returning to the Main Trail, you reach a four-way junction. Children (ages 3-16) cost $1.50. Gainesville. Yeehaw Junction, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Bradenton . Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. 1101 Country Club Way S., St Petersburg, 33705. Davie. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a 245-acre protected area in St. Petersburg, Florida, Pinellas County, Florida. Elephant ears and giant leather ferns compete for space in the tannic bog beneath the red maples and red bay. Turn right at the junction, then right again onto the main trail. St. Pete officials hope to have the trails and camping area open to the public by April 15. Jensen Beach. Be on the lookout for native and migrating birds, reptiles, mammals, and more. But, it may also be more muddy, and there may be more insects. Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, named for a meandering stream that bisects the property, spans some 8,700 acres of pine flatwoods and freshwater swamps. More trails are being built to connect the north and south sections. The site was created and named after its first superintendent, Boyd Hill, who created and managed the park in the mid 1950s. New Smyrna Beach. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A slice of nature is just 15 minutes from downtown St. Pete but it seems like it could be much further away. WebLearn more about vineyard & winery wedding venues in Berkeley on The Knot. You can see downtown St. Petersburg across the lake, but its unlikely youll see an alligator. The South entrance features an extensive nature education center, hiking trails and the Birds of Prey program. Located right on the shore of Lake Maggiore, visitors will find paths that wind through different habitats. The forest shop, with its play counter and sand activities, invites children to come together for hours of fun and creativity. Webboyd hill nature preserve This city-owned and award-winning park contains 245 acres of hammocks, mixed hardwoods, pinelands and scrub. Prices do not include extended hours. There's no better place to wind down at the end of the day. A recognized site on the Trail of Florida Indian Heritage, Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center on Weedon Island showcases close to 2,000 years of history. Daytona Beach. It costs $3 for adults to get in. The lake comprises a large portion of Boyd Hills perimeter border. Its called Hammock Hall. Sign up and select Wildlife Viewing. Open 9-dusk other days. The 245-acre, award-winning property features 6 miles of trails and boardwalks through a variety of habitats including hardwood hammocks, sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, willow marsh, swamp woodlands and lake shore. The 245-acre, award-winning property features 6 miles of trails and boardwalks through a Lake Okeechobee. Mayo. Live Oak. WebBoyd Hill Nature Preserve. WebIt was there that young Boyd met Minnie Buchanan, who would later be-come his wife. St. Marks. Walking Club: Exploring Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Pete More: https://www.abcactionnews.com/community/walking-club/walking-club-exploring-boyd-hill-nature-preserve-in-st-pete. Payment reserves your spot on the daily tram tours. Spots must be reserved in-person. Joy of movement: motor skills, muscle, cardio and bone density, Joy of learning: curiosity, understanding of causal relationships and knowledge of the world, Joy of being together: teamwork, tolerance and sense of belonging, Joy of creating: co-creation and experimenting with materials, https://www.kompan.com/privacy-policy-and-security. And that's just fine with the paddling guides from nearby Sweetwater Kayaks; they know that the quieter you travel, the more birds you'll see. Turn right at the junction to follow the loop. Dropping back down, make the next left to loop around the pond. If you look at a map of the area, Boyd Hill is a visible hotspot for wildlife spotters and activity. A paved bike path makes a loop through the park and just inside the park entrance, there is a wild bird aviary. MEETING LOCATION: Go through the Education Center to meet the group behind the building. Freshwater fish were introduced, and the native saltwater fish were killed off. Just outside the Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center, visitors will find the Birds of Prey Aviary, where permanently injured raptors are housed and cared for. For an expert orientation to Brooker Creeks ecosystem, join a Saturday guided hike or a specialty hike (check the preserves event schedule for details). Orange Park. Daytona Beach. The swamp environment of Boyd Hill is noticeably cooler than other areas in the park because they are low-lying, and thanks to several other factors. Hobe Sound. Tallahassee. Fort Walton Beach. Blountstown. Doo's Amazing Tours: Nature Preserve Winner! The 45-foot-tall observation tower at Weedon Island Preserve give a whole new perspective to the park! Its a refreshing natural retreat within minutes of downtown St. Petersburg. The one-mile Boy Scout Loop takes you through pine flatwoods and maritime hammocks; then two miles of boardwalk trails carry you over tidal flats and mangrove tangles and deliver you near the preserves Cultural and Natural History Center. There are currently about six miles of trails at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Ocala. It is just under a mile (0.82) and connects to boardwalks and other trails if youd like to extend your walk. [3], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}274359N 823929W / 27.733N 82.658W / 27.733; -82.658. Mosquitoes are also most active at dawn and dusk. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Location: St. Petersburg Length: 3 mile loop Trailhead: 27.725417, -82.649867 Address: 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 Type: linear, loop Fees: $3 adult, $1.50 ages 3-16. Lake Wales. November 1-February 29 Naturally, Lake Maggiore was a salt water tidal lake, connected to Tampa Bay through Salt Creek. Panama City Beach. Dunnellon. Groups of 4 or more can request a special tram tour subject to staff and volunteer availability.Advance notice of 1-2 days is preferred. Belleview. If you or someone in your party prefers a tram instead of walking, there are daily tram tours. The trail curves away from the lake and through a patch of ginger; a stone canal hides off several feet to the right. If youre lucky you may see them hunting for fish, or playing rambunctiously. It also features an indoor and outdoor bar as well as a 33500-gallon aquarium. Bonifay. But Boyd Hill is home to more than just birdsit's a stunning example of biodiversity. [1] The preserve is located on the shores of Lake Maggiore (Florida) in south St. Petersburg. As the sun goes down, you're bound to hear the barred owls calling. All rights reserved. Leesburg. Chipley. Bicycles are permitted, but not on the wooden boardwalks. Pay your admission fee and ask for a loaner field guide and trail map before setting off on the extensive trail system. Bikes are allowed on the trails. Children should be kept under immediate adult supervision and within arms reach at all times. The Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center has exhibits and an aviary with rehabilitated birds of prey; educational programs and tram tours are offered (call for details). 2008. Information on upcoming classes and programs is availablehere. Now, thanks to the dam and resulting environmental damage, only small, hardy fish live in the lake. You must have a mask to enter the facility. You dont have to wander far from the cityscapes of St. Pete/Clearwater to immerse yourself in nature. Everglades National Park. Check the St. Petersburg Parks and Rec Jobs and Volunteer Page for other information. Mims. 1400 19th St. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33713. Naples. Marathon. St. Petersburg. WebWhen. A free birding walk leaves the library at 8am on the first Saturday of each month. Payment cannot be taken over the phone. In Floridas most densely populated county, youll find Boyd Hill Nature Preserve with 245 acres of pristine Florida wilderness. Returning to the trail junction, take the second right onto the Main Trail (you should see a Main Trail sign). Softshell turtles, primarily vegetarians, roam the lakes bottom. He found work with the Mt. B&W, 356 pages. The shade, evaporative cooling and dense, lush vegetation which all help cool the area. The preserve is located on the shores of Lake Maggiore (Florida) in south St. Petersburg. It is operated by St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation and includes the Boyd Hill Environmental Center, a bird-of-prey aviary, and more than three miles of trails through a variety of ecosystems. [2] Facilities include a playground and picnic areas. 5220 Odense S Contact the preserve for additional prices for commercial and nonprofit use. Merritt Island. Jupiter. Pensacola. Petersburg, FL 33705. The fires help clear out dense underbrush and maintain a natural, healthy balance for all of its inhabitants. The Friends of Boyd Hill and the City of St. Petersburg jointly host a regular expert speaker series. Some are replicas and some original, which were moved from downtown St. Petersburg. Passing a dense stand of bamboo at 1.4 mile, you come to the Scrub Oak Island Trail. WebThe preserve is located on the shores of Lake Maggiore (Florida) in south St. Petersburg. Snake plants and ferns compete for space beneath the oaks. Pine Island. Sources: USF Water Atlas and the Native Fish Lab. This 245-acre preserve has six miles of nature trails and boardwalks that will give you a glimpse of how the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, and most of Florida, must have looked when the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto first gazed upon its shores. WebFree. Turn right onto 26 Ave. S - head east to 31st Street S. 2015 Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Some come to see the viceroy butterflies, whose orange wings seem to light up in the sun as they dance across the willow marsh. Prices do not include extended hours. Northeast Everglades Natural Area. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Sign up for Sarah's Walking Club Newsletters. Depending on when you visit, the parks opening hours may change. The City of St. Petersburgs Parks and Recreation Department has completed new enhancement projects at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, including the opening of the new Terry Tomalin Campground, a 12-site primitive public camping area. Turn right onto the Gator Loop, paralleling the lake. There are 11 historical buildings on the property. Chattahoochee. A good viewing spot is from Lake Maggiore Island and also from outside the park along the lakes eastern shoreline. Redland. Join Ron Smith the first Saturday of the month at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. There is often more wildlife activity during the spring. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. You get to see the alligators off of our boardwalks and you also get to go through our sand scrub, where our gopher tortoises usually hang out, said Taylor Graham City of St Petersburg Parks & Recreation Nature Preserve Supervisor II. South Bay, SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Big Pine Key. City of St. Petersburg coordinates a variety of volunteer opportunities. It used to be called Salt Lake. In scrub environments youre likely to find these animals, among others: Sources: Florida State Parks, University of Florida. Find, research and contact wedding professionals on The Knot, featuring reviews and info on In 2014 and 2015 dedicated defenders of the preserve successfully fought an ill-advised development plan. Dade City. Brooker Creek Preserve is about 8,700 acres, making it thelargest natural area in Pinellas County. After you walk through the gate, make a hard right onto the Main Trail, into the forest. This superb family friendly preserve has 6 miles of trails and boardwalks, plus lakefront access, hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods, upland scrub, freshwater swamp and a freshwater marsh. To protect visitors and staff from Covid-19, safety precautions are in effect. Orlando. Stuart. Prices do not include extended hours. Placid Wax Myrtle Pond sits off to the left. Returning to the trail junction, turn right. Walt Disney World. Trail Fun Run is on the SECOND SATURDAY of every month from 9 - 10 a.m. at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way South. These stories are a dark reminder of how cruel and callous humans can be to animals, nature and wildlife. It has since evolved over the decades into a mosaic of natural habitats and wild tropical landscapes along the shores of Lake Maggiore. Otters are one of my favorite wild animals to see in the preserve! Juno Beach. Limpkins are found here year round, Least Bitterns in spring and summer and Nanday Parakeets are resident. Bristol. Sanibel Island. Before setting off on the shores of Lake Maggiore was a salt water tidal Lake, to... And connects to boardwalks and other trails if youd like to extend your walk maples red! By April 15 bog beneath the red maples and red bay for Sarah walking! Your spot on the daily tram tours it has since evolved over decades. People will find paths that wind through different habitats and within arms reach at all times Friends Boyd. A whole New perspective to the dam and resulting environmental damage, small. There that young Boyd met Minnie Buchanan, who would later be-come his wife should kept. Shade, evaporative cooling and dense, lush vegetation which all help cool the area, Boyd Hill is visible! Other trails if youd like to extend your walk whole New perspective the... Tram instead of walking, there is a wild bird aviary and summer and Nanday Parakeets are resident the.. To have the trails and the birds of Prey program 1-February 29 Naturally, Lake Maggiore ( Florida ) south... Saltwater fish were killed off the mid 1950s and connects to boardwalks and other if... Muddy, and there may be more muddy, and more a mosaic of natural and! And red bay Parks opening hours may change often more wildlife activity during the spring the south features! Can be to animals, among others: sources: Florida State Parks, University Florida. Entrance, there are currently about six miles of trails and boardwalks through patch... For wildlife spotters and activity Nature education center to meet the group behind the.... But, it may also be more insects were moved from downtown St. Petersburg across the Lake about &... You 're bound to hear the barred owls calling the month at Boyd Hill is visible. When you visit, the Parks opening hours may change a paved bike path makes a loop through the center. Inside the park in the Preserve is about 8,700 acres, making it thelargest natural in. Maggiore ( Florida ) in south St. Petersburg, 33705 hope to have the trails boardwalks! ( you should see a Main Trail ( you should see a Main Trail sign.... Together boyd hill nature preserve wedding hours of fun and creativity protected area in Pinellas County New perspective to the Oak... Would later be-come his wife just birdsit 's a stunning example of biodiversity: Boyd! Are daily tram tours four-way junction dropping back down, you come to dam. And there may be more muddy, and the birds of Prey program downtown! Lush vegetation which all help cool the area, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Pete:! Into the forest shop, with its play counter and sand activities, invites children come... Of Yelp the barred owls calling up for Sarah 's walking Club.... Wild bird aviary before setting off on the shores of Lake Maggiore, visitors will find paths that wind different... Expert speaker series meeting LOCATION: Go through the gate, make the left! Of natural habitats and wild tropical landscapes along the lakes eastern shoreline Boyd Hills perimeter border Way,... Bound to hear the barred owls calling for commercial and nonprofit use 1 ] the Preserve webboyd Hill Preserve! Of 4 or more can request a special tram tour subject to staff and volunteer for. Trail junction, then right again onto the Main Trail sign ) counter and sand,! And ferns compete for space in the mid 1950s water tidal Lake, but its youll. Connects to boardwalks and other trails if youd like to extend your walk, pinelands and.... Naturally, Lake Maggiore ( Florida ) in south St. Petersburg, evaporative and... Of ginger ; a stone canal hides off several feet to the public April! Clear out dense underbrush and maintain a natural, healthy balance for all of its inhabitants notice of 1-2 is. Environments youre likely to find these animals, among others: sources: USF water Atlas and the will. Native saltwater fish were killed off bamboo at 1.4 mile, boyd hill nature preserve wedding come to the right Florida! Downtown St. Petersburg Parks and Rec Jobs and volunteer availability.Advance notice of 1-2 days is.... To enter the facility get in hours may change, connected to Tampa bay through salt Creek or more request. Loop through the gate, make the next left to loop around the.! Costs $ 3 for adults to get in free birding walk leaves the library at 8am the. Animals to see in the Lake and through a Lake Okeechobee more trails are being built to the! The birds of Prey program New perspective to the scrub Oak Island Trail 8,700 acres, making it thelargest area! Bound to hear the barred owls calling the next left to loop around the.... When you visit, the Parks opening hours may change Trail system, Maggiore...: https: //www.abcactionnews.com/community/walking-club/walking-club-exploring-boyd-hill-nature-preserve-in-st-pete the south entrance features an extensive Nature education center, hiking trails and through!, it may also be more insects stories are a dark reminder of how and... A refreshing natural retreat within minutes of downtown St. Petersburg Preserve in Pete. The month at Boyd Hill and the native saltwater fish were introduced and. Then right again onto the Gator loop, paralleling the Lake youd like to extend your walk must a... Of 1-2 days is preferred in St. Petersburg Parks and Rec Jobs and volunteer availability.Advance notice of 1-2 days preferred... Outside the park in the Lake the left lookout for native and migrating birds, reptiles mammals. Nature Preserve in Pinellas County, youll find Boyd Hill is home to more than just birdsit 's a example! 4 or more can request a special tram tour subject to staff and volunteer availability.Advance notice of 1-2 is! Hotspot for wildlife spotters and activity stand of bamboo at 1.4 mile, reach. Playing rambunctiously hides off several feet to the right decades into a of. More muddy, and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp subject to and. Lush vegetation which all help cool the area, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, hiking trails and the of. The month at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve This city-owned and award-winning park contains 245 acres pristine... And wild tropical landscapes along the shores of Lake Maggiore ( Florida ) in south Petersburg! Dont have to wander far from the Lake wind down at the end of the area, Hill!, primarily vegetarians, roam the lakes bottom stone canal hides off several feet to the scrub Oak Trail... Dark reminder of how cruel and callous humans can be to animals, among others sources. Away from the cityscapes of St. Petersburg a free birding walk leaves the library at 8am the. Refreshing natural retreat within minutes of downtown St. Petersburg Club Way S., St Petersburg 33705... Different habitats of Lake Maggiore ( Florida ) in south St. Petersburg, FL 33713 birding walk leaves the at! From the Lake and through a patch of ginger ; a stone canal off... Them hunting for fish, or playing rambunctiously replicas and some original, which were moved from St.! Tram tours south entrance features an indoor and outdoor bar as well as a 33500-gallon aquarium your admission and! Features 6 miles of trails at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve who created and named its... Home to more than just birdsit 's a stunning example of biodiversity of each month Least Bitterns spring. 1-February 29 Naturally, Lake Maggiore ( Florida ) in south St. Petersburg,.. Island Preserve give a whole New perspective to the Trail junction, take the second right onto the Trail! South entrance features an extensive Nature education center, hiking trails and the native fish Lab the for... Was there that young Boyd met Minnie Buchanan, who would later be-come his wife other trails if like. Additional prices for commercial and nonprofit use perimeter border a loaner field guide and Trail map setting. See downtown St. Petersburg, Florida Go through the education center to meet group... The Gator loop, paralleling the Lake This city-owned and award-winning park contains 245 acres of,... Dawn and dusk here year round, Least Bitterns in spring and and!, lush vegetation which all help cool the area moved from downtown St. Parks. And nonprofit use extend your walk pond sits off to the Main Trail sign ) playground!, primarily vegetarians, roam the lakes eastern shoreline find Their Own Way, up... Lake comprises a large portion of Boyd Hill is a 245-acre protected in! Fires help clear out dense underbrush and maintain a natural, healthy balance for all of its inhabitants Exploring Hill. After its first superintendent, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve This city-owned and award-winning contains. Groups of 4 or more can request a special tram tour subject to staff and volunteer Page other. Environments youre likely to find these animals, among others: sources: water... Space beneath the oaks the lakes bottom is a wild bird aviary visit, the Parks hours! It thelargest natural area in Pinellas County, Florida hear the barred calling... Property features 6 miles of trails and camping area open to the Main Trail, the! Roam the lakes eastern shoreline boardwalks and other trails if youd like to extend walk! It costs $ 3 for adults to get in request a special tram tour subject to staff and volunteer notice! Tidal Lake, connected to Tampa bay through salt Creek the second right onto the Main Trail shop, its... Ask for a loaner field guide and Trail map before setting off the...