Parks, Preserves & Sanctuaries
Fort DeSoto Park - St.Petersburg
Canoeing, kayaking, biking, and even a doggie playground make for a beautiful day at Fort De Soto County Park. Nestled at the southern end of St. Petersburg, the Pinellas County Park is a favorite of locals and visitors "in the know." It is made up of five islands, with more than 1,100 acres and six-plus miles of pristine, award-winning beaches and several miles of waterfront along Mullet Key Bayou.
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Caladesi Island State Park - Dunedin
One of the few untouched islands along the Gulf Coast, Caladesi Island State Park is accessible only by boat, but is worth the extra effort. Whether it is a stroll along the island’s pristine beaches or a kayak trip through the bayside mangrove forest, a trip to Caladesi Island is an unforgettable experience.
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Shell Key Preserve - Tierra Verde
This 1,800-acre preserve protects sensitive marine habitats. It includes one of the County’s largest undeveloped barrier islands (Shell Key) as well as numerous mangrove islands and expansive seagrass beds. Shell Key is one of the state’s most important areas for shorebird nesting and wintering and serves as an important study area for these species. Boating, camping and beach-related activities are permitted in public areas of the preserve. No restroom facilities are provided.
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Florida Botanical Gardens - Largo
Visitors to the Florida Botanical Gardens can relish the natural wonder of Florida while enjoying a walk through 150 acres of formal gardens, scenic landscapes, and native habitats.
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Boca Ciega Millennium Park - Seminole
Fishing Access to Bay, Canoe Launch, 1.5-Acre Dog Park, .25-Mile Nature Trail, Boardwalks, Playground, Restrooms, Seven Picnic Shelters and Bicycle/Pedestrian Paths. Boca Ciega Millennium Park is 186 acres in Seminole and is accessible to the Pinellas Trail. This park provides an observation tower to enjoy panoramic views of Boca Ciega Bay. The park is also recognized by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation as part of the “Great Florida Birding Trail.” Other highlights of this park include pine flatwoods, coastal oaks, hammock, mangrove swamp, salt marsh, bay head and wetlands.
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Fred Howard Park - Tarpon Springs
Fred Howard Park is 155 acres of park and beach located off the Gulf of Mexico in Tarpon Springs. There is a 1-mile causeway from the park to the white sandy beach for swimming and sunsets. This park provides homes to wildlife including eagles, gopher tortoises and fox squirrels.
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Florida Paddling Trails - Florida
It should come as little surprise to savvy Florida development councils that many tourists seek natural areas and outdoor activities for their vacations. The state is blessed with a climate and the natural surroundings that make it a destination for nature-based tourism. The state of Florida has over 40 designated paddling trails on various rivers and streams as well as the 1515 mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail.
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Pinellas Trail - Pinellas County
The Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is a linear, multi-use trail extending from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs. The Trail, created along a portion of abandoned railroad corridor, provides a unique, protected greenspace for walking, jogging, skating and biking.
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Seaside Seabird Sanctuary - Indian Shores
The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary is a non-profit organization located in Indian Shores. The heart of our operations is the Dr. Marie L. Farr Avian Hospital, where our small team of staff and volunteers care for approximately 3,500 birds every year. We are also home to over 80 permanently injured resident birds, and we collaborate with multiple organizations to find permanent homes for birds who are unable to be released and are able to have a good quality of life in captivity. Our Sanctuary is open to visitors 365 days a year, and admission is free to ensure everyone in our community has the opportunity to learn about our amazing local wildlife.
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Suncoast Primate Sanctuary - Palm Harbor
The Suncoast Primate Sanctuary Foundation is a non-profit volunteer-run organization. The Sanctuary provides a home to more than 100 animals, including chimpanzees, orangutans, monkeys, reptiles, tropical birds and more. Whether rescued from private pet ownership, the exotic pet trade, research laboratories, or retired from the film industry, the Sanctuary provides these magnificent animals with a safe haven where they can live with peace and dignity.
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