Saturday Morning at Serenova Tract in Land O’ Lakes

The old dirt road led beneath a canopy of oak trees, the morning light casting shadows across the road, dappled light filtering like dust motes to the ground beneath. I had just wandered across a couple of paths in Serenova Tract in Land O’ Lakes, and I was high alert for anything I could photograph.

I love early weekend mornings in Florida’s parks and preserves, when the world around is still sleepy, but nature has arisen and is in her full splendor. On this Saturday morning, the sun rose behind this stand of scrub oaks, the ground beneath them covered in leaves and wildflowers. One hand on my camera, I walked slowly, stopping often to take in the beauty around me. 

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I first heard of Serenova Tract after I visited Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, in researching it more for my blog post about my visit. Serenova Tract, Starkey Wilderness Park, and Anclote River Ranch Tract are collectively part of a larger preserve called Starkey Wilderness Preserve, one of the largest undeveloped pieces of land in this part of Florida. 

Serenova Tract alone is 6,533 acres. Where Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park attracts hoards of people on the weekend to take advantage of activities such as multi-use trails, mountain biking, picnic shelters, campgrounds, and playgrounds, Serenova Tract remains more untouched. The parking lot is a smallish gravel lot off of Highway 52 with a single lane entrance and a sign that isn’t very visible from the road. 

This tract of land was preserved as part of the State of Florida’s plan for building the Suncoast Parkway in the first place. The state created this giant infrastructure and had to mitigate that with a preserve. So  Serenova Tract was born. When here, the sound of the expressway is a constant hum in the background. Despite this, on that first visit, Serenova quickly became one of my favorite nature preserves in the Tampa Bay area.

About Serenova Tract

• Distance: 16+ miles
• Elevation: none
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 2+ hours
• Trailhead address: 14900 State Rd 52, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638
• Parking: yes, free

Serenova Tract is 6,533 acres. According to Audubon Florida, it “was purchased by the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) in the late 1990s as mitigation for about 200 acres of wetland destruction associated with the construction of the Florida Turnpike Enterprise’s ‘Suncoast Parkway’.” 

Florida DOT transferred the land to Southwest Florida Water Management District who manages it today. The land is considered ecologically sensitive and wildlife habitat for a number of plants and animals. At the time the land was purchased and transferred, an extension of Ridge Road through the preserve was retained. After years of fighting the Ridge Road extension to the Suncoast Parkway, the residents of Pasco County lost. Ridge Road was extended, bisecting Serenova Tract and reducing the wildlife habitat and roaming areas of the area’s wildlife.

Things to Do at Serenova Tract

This nature preserve has 16 miles of multi-use trails, two campgrounds, and several lakes for fishing. Other water activities are not allowed; no swimming, kayaking/canoeing, or boating. There are restrooms near the campgrounds. 

Hiking at Serenova Tract

Serenova Tract’s 16 miles of trails are available for use by hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikes. On the morning I visited, I had not intended to come to Serenova so wasn’t prepared for a longer hike. I ended up exploring only about 3 miles of trails, all of which were unpaved. Much of it was old gravel road now used as trails. The main trail from the parking lot heads south deeper into Serenova then loops in several places. 

A power easement also runs through the preserve and provides unpaved roads on which to ride or walk. My route that morning took me to a small lake near the parking lot. From there I ended up on a road to the power easement and then found my way back to the main trail. Oak hammocks dominate this part of the preserve. The land is flat, and the oaks provide lots of shade for hikers and for the many wildflowers which grow along the sides of the trails.

Further south, the trails lead to several lakes and in a few places cross the Pithlachascotee River. The river at this point is considerably smaller than it is at another of my favorite local parks, James E. Grey Preserve in New Port Richey. Despite the river’s smaller size here, the land around it gets wet during the rainy season. Alerts on Serenova Tract’s website point out that portions of the trails may be under water or very wet when it rains. 

Campgrounds at Serenova Tract

The two campgrounds at Serenova Tract are accessed by a gated road near the parking lot. Campers need to reserve a space though it’s free. One campground is an equestrian campground and the other a primitive campground. On my visit, I didn’t see any horses in the equestrian campground. It was, however, in use by several campers without horses. 

At the primitive campground, cars have to park outside of the fence surrounding the campground whereas at the equestrian campground vehicles can pull right up the the camp site. Both are shady with ample space, fire rings, picnic tables, and immediate access to the main trail in the preserve. There’s also a pitcher pump for water at the equestrian campground and a large picnic shelter.

Mountain Biking at Serenova Tract

I saw several people on bikes when I visited. Though it seems there was once a single lane track, based on the signage, it doesn’t appear maintained and probably isn’t used anymore. The reviews I’ve read from others who ride out here is that they use the dirt road rather than the bike trails.

Equestrian Trails at Serenova Tract

On my visit, I saw a group of four riders and, in the parking lot, their two horse trailers. The dirt road is mostly dirt and easy on a horse’s hooves. If you ride here, though, be mindful that some of the trail appears to have been gravel or rock at one point and parts of it is still covered in rather smooth river-rock-like stones. 

Fishing at Serenova Tract

There are several lakes for fishing. Like anywhere in Florida, fishing licenses are required. There’s one lake near the parking lot though the others are a couple of miles from the parking area. I did not see anyone fishing and imagine there are better places for it in the area.

Other Things to Do at Serenova Tract

There are several other things to do at Serenova Tract if you visit. About 2.5 miles into the hike, you might see what’s left of an old homestead. The only thing still standing is a rock chimney. I haven’t found much information about the site or its history. 

My favorite activity at any nature preserve is photography, and there are ample opportunities for photographing the landscape and wildflowers in Serenova Tract, especially during wildflower seasons in the spring and fall. I didn’t see many animals except the standard bird species – blue jays, a cardinal, mockingbirds.

When I visited in late September, the wildflowers had exploded. I found ten or twelve different varieties, most native though I did see invasives such as Caesar’s weed as well. 

Visiting Serenova Tract

If Serenova Tract lands on your list of must-visit nature preserves in Florida, it’s easy to get to though the entrance is not as easy to find if you’re looking for an obvious entrance. The parking area is on the south side of Highway 52 at the traffic light for Hays Road. There’s a Publix, Dairy Queen, and other businesses on the north side of Highway 52.

If you’re camping, the gate to the campgrounds is always locked. You receive the combination to the lock when you reserve your site. You can make reservations at the Serenova Tract website.

Final Thoughts About Serenova Tract

If you’re looking for a great place to enjoy nature for a day, a weekend, or a week, Serenova Tract is a beautiful low-key place to check out. It’s already inspired some of my poetry, and I’m planning a camping trip as well as some longer hikes in the next few months.

To close, please enjoy this haibun about Serenova Tract. A haibun is a Japanese form which combines prose with a haiku. It’s one of my favorite forms of poetry as it combines two styles of writing I love. You can read more of my poetry at my poetry website, The Scribbletorium.

Hiking Serenova Tract

Morning wakes through the dappled shadows of oak branches and sun streaming through the foggy breath on a pond’s surface. Summer’s heat has broken, and Serenova comes alive again. It’s my first time here. I veer off a small trail to a larger one which ends at a gravel road. The map later shows me that I completely veered off the right path.

Biden’s alba’s broken white faces dance along the gravel road’s shoulder. They love disturbed places where their missing petals go unnoticed and needle-like seed pods cling to life in every nook, cranny, shoe, and pant leg. Goldenrod’s bright yellow buds spring open beside Biden’s, and deer moss covers the ground in mock snowfall. It’s quiet except for a blue jay screech, the cars speeding past on the nearby expressway, and my own captured breath.

The gravel road leads me to a utility easement where concrete and steel giants buzz overhead. I feel lightheaded passing through, a hum in my head and heart, and find a path back to the woods of Serenova, to the right trail, also an old road now overgrown in the middle, water collecting in the ruts.

Swamp milkweed dances in the small breeze, its lilac buds opening for bees. Later, beauty berry’s deeper purple invites me to snack on a handful. Deer moss comes and goes beneath the gnarled branches of scrub oaks. Willow primrose’s yellow waves hello from the edges of a ditch. Dotted horsemint’s unkept head pops up along the side of the trail where sun and shade vie for control.

wildflower season
opens in cooler weather -
fall colors in Florida

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like those about hiking at Lake Dan or visiting nearby Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park.