Hiking at Brooker Creek Preserve

Brooker Creek Preserve north of Tampa covers 8700 acres of pristine wilderness and helps protect the Brooker Creek watershed. Home to hundreds of species of animals, insects, and native plants, hiking at Brooker Creek offers a glimpse of Old Florida and is often considered one of the best day hikes near Tampa.

There are three different trails for hiking at Brooker Creek Preserve – the 1.75 Friendly Trail, the 9+ mile equestrian trails, and the Wildlands Trail with trailheads near the Education Center. Today, we’ll look at the Wildlands Trail.

• Distance: 4.0-5.2 miles
• Type: Stacked Loops
• Elevation: 4 to 8 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Duration: ~3 hours
• Trailhead Address: 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688
• Parking: Paved lot available. Free.

Ed Center and Flatwoods Trails

Two trailheads provide access to the Wildlands Trail, one at the Education/Nature Center and one near the parking lot. Enter at either access point and loop around to the other point to exit. Both begin with a short boardwalk over Brooker Creek. The Wildlands Trail is actually several looping trails together. Hikers can choose their distance, from less than a mile to more than five miles. (See trail map at the end.)

Past the creek and surrounding wetlands, the trail exits the boardwalk and becomes a sand trail, two people wide in most places. Welcome to the pine flatwoods, an ecosystem dominated by slash pines, cabbage palms, saw palmettos, and wildflowers which love fire. Many of these plants NEED periodic fires to germinate and remain healthy.

Blackwater Cut-off

Pine flatwoods give way to forested wetlands. Some trails remain under water much of the year. Though I go every year, especially in fall for the Wildflower Festival, this was the first time I had been in May after several weeks without rain. Most of the trails were dry.

Some trails, like Blackwater Cut-off, still had large puddles teeming with life and the parts of the trails that weren’t under water were muddy. If you’re hiking at Brooker Creek, be aware that you will likely encounter water on some trails. Plan your footwear accordingly! One of my favorite things about this particular day is all the dragonflies around the wetlands.

Pine Needle Path and Wilderness Trail

Florida wetlands and hammocks live an intertwined life. We often find spots of high and dry land among wetter ecosystems so it’s no surprise to leave the wetlands of Blackwater Cut-off and find oak hammocks. Oaks and pine trees dominate the landscape, providing much-needed shade.

From here, the trails wind back to the Ed Center Trail and one of the access points. Some of the Wilderness Trail is low and often under water, muddy in many places even during our drought months. Wildflowers punctuate the trails with pops of color.

Other Things to Do at Brooker Creek Preserve

If you’re hiking at Brooker Creek Preserve from the main location, there are several other things to do. The Preserve has a large education center filled with displays of native plants and animals, play areas for kids, wildlife viewing areas, and a gift shop. The education center connects with a classroom and other buildings via a raised boardwalk which winds through native plantings of cinnamon ferns, American beautyberry, native coffee, and a small butterfly garden. It’s a wonderful place to take children for educational (and air-conditioned) fun and a short hike. The Preserve also hosts festivals, native plant sales, and guided tours.

Fun Facts About Brooker Creek Preserve

• Brooker Creek Preserve is approximately 8,700 acres.
• It is the largest natural area in Pinellas County.
• Brooker Creek Preserve is surrounded by dense urban development; Pinellas County is the most densely-populated county in Florida.
• Spear points dating from 7,000 BCE to 900 BCE have been found at the Preserve.
• Before becoming a preserve, the land around Brooker Creek was used for logging, cattle-grazing, and citrus-growing.
• Brooker Creek Preserve was established in 1992.
• The buildings of the Education Center are designed in the Pioneer Florida architecture style.
• Animals found at Brooker Creek Preserve include white-tailed deer, bobcat, wild turkeys, otters, alligators, and coyotes.

More Information for Hiking at Brooker Creek Preserve

If you plan to go hiking at Brooker Creek Preserve, plan your day according to the season. From October/November to March, the weather will generally be cooler and the humidity less stifling. In April and May, the heat ramps up but the ground remains drier. These are typically our drought months. From July to October, rains pour down nearly daily in the afternoon. The heat and humidity make hiking potentially dangerous, especially for anyone who is not accustomed to Florida’s heat and humidity. Additional general tips:

• Wear weatherproof shoes, especially in the summer when you might encounter water on the trails.
• Bring water on the trails with you. There are no drink stations on the trails though the education center does have a water fountain. Bring more water than you think you’ll need, especially if it’s hot out.
• Wear a hat.
• Bring sunscreen and bug spray.
• Bring your camera or phone for pictures.
• Bring your phone for emergencies though there is no cell signal on the furthest trails such as the Pine Needle Path and the far reaches of the Wilderness Trail

Get more information about Brooker Creek Preserve on their website. While you’re in the area, be sure to also check out Lake Dan Nature Preserve. The lightly-trafficked preserve covers 1100 acres just a few minutes drive away from Brooker Creek with nearly ten miles of trails.

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Hiking Resources:

Hiking Boots: My go-to hiking boot is Merrell’s Waterproof Hiking Boot. It’s extremely comfortable, lightweight, and water-resistant – perfect for Florida!

Hiking Day Pack: This daypack from Waterfly has been the best addition to my outdoor gear this year. I often take my camera and phone as well as the water we have to have in Florida’s heat. This pack is lightweight and has tons of pockets for storing everything I need to take with me.

Swell Water Bottle: I most often take my Swell bottles with me because they keep water cold, a must for me when hiking in Florida’s heat.

Collapsible Water Bottle: This is a great water bottle to keep in a hiking pack and fill at home or keep in the car in case you forget your Swell bottle at home.

Walking Poles: Though Florida’s mostly flat, there are places and times when walking poles are useful. I love these for their durability and because they’re collapsible so are easy to carry and store.

Hotels: We use Booking.com for lodging when we’re ready to compare and book hotels.