Cypress Creek Preserve
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Cypress Creek Preserve

4.3
·239 reviews·Tampa, United States

A dog-friendly nature preserve with shaded trails, offering opportunities for wildlife spotting and peaceful hikes.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

CrowdLow
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Cypress Creek Preserve

Cypress Creek Preserve

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A dog-friendly nature preserve with shaded trails, offering opportunities for wildlife spotting and peaceful hikes.

4.3
(239 reviews)

"Great dog-friendly trails with a mix of sun and shade, perfect for a nature escape."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚶‍♀️ Walk to the Entrance

Park and walk about 1/4 mile to the trail entrance sign. Be aware of road walking sections.

💧 Bring Water & Bug Spray

Essential for a comfortable hike. No restrooms or benches on trails.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.3 · 239 reviews

Type

Park

👶 Good for kids🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Woodsy Loop Trails

Woodsy Loop Trails

Red, Yellow, and Blue Trails

Enjoy a dog-friendly, shaded hike through cypress and oak trees. Explore multiple interconnected paths for a longer adventure.

Armadillo Sightings

Armadillo Sightings

Various Trails

Keep an eye out for armadillos, especially before dusk. A unique wildlife encounter on your nature walk.

Picnic Spot

Picnic Spot

Near Parking Lot

A cute resource with covered picnic tables and trash cans, perfect for a post-hike rest.

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Planning Your Visit

Navigating the Entrance

Parking at Cypress Creek Preserve is a bit tricky. You'll need to walk about a quarter-mile from the parking lot to the actual trail entrance. Be prepared for a short walk along Lizards Trail Road, which may not have a full sidewalk.

Trail Conditions & What to Bring

Trails can get muddy after rain, so avoid visiting immediately after a storm. Bring plenty of water and bug spray, as restrooms and seating are scarce. Sun protection is also recommended for open trail sections.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoon
Why
Cooler temps, armadillo sightings
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

I love taking the pitties on nature hikes, and Cypress Creek Preserve has been a favorite of ours lately! They have clearly marked trails, fantastic upkeep, and enough side trails to stay entertained for an entire afternoon. #weekendvibes #tampa #florida #hike #pitbull
@raykay222
5 likes • 123 views

🚶‍♀️ Walk to the Entrance

Park and walk about 1/4 mile to the trail entrance sign. Be aware of road walking sections. Reddit

💧 Bring Water & Bug Spray

Essential for a comfortable hike. No restrooms or benches on trails. Reddit

#cypresspointpark #5620 W Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607
@dglez0
47 likes • 721 views
Cypress point Beach . PS. I DO NOT SWIM HERE ! #beach #tampa #fyp #love #momlife
@tampa2thet
54 likes • 964 views

🐾 Dog-Friendly Trails

Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails. Great for a nature walk with your furry friends. TikTokReddit

☀️ Sun & Shade Mix

Trails offer both shady tree cover and open, sunny areas. Dress accordingly. Reddit

reddit.com

Best longest hikes in Tampa area?

Looking to take a long hike on my birthday next week. Can anyone recommend any trails they know are not closed due to the last hurricanes? Thanks in advance.

Tips

from all over the internet

🚶‍♀️ Walk to the Entrance

Park and walk about 1/4 mile to the trail entrance sign. Be aware of road walking sections. Reddit

💧 Bring Water & Bug Spray

Essential for a comfortable hike. No restrooms or benches on trails. Reddit

🐾 Dog-Friendly Trails

Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails. Great for a nature walk with your furry friends. TikTokReddit

☀️ Sun & Shade Mix

Trails offer both shady tree cover and open, sunny areas. Dress accordingly. Reddit

⚠️ Watch for Trail Markers

Trails can be confusing at intersections. Look for color markers to stay on track. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.3
(239 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Cypress Creek Preserve is praised for its dog-friendly, shaded trails and opportunities to see wildlife like armadillos. Visitors appreciate the natural beauty and the interconnected loop system. However, the confusing trail markings and the initial walk from the parking lot to the trailhead are common points of confusion and minor inconvenience.

"The parking area is near the end of the street. You need to walk back 1/4 of a mile to access the trail entrance, at the brown and white sign. I followed the red trail with my dog 🐕. The park wasn't very busy at noon time, another couple with their dogs were also trying to find the entrance to the trail, but left in their car before I could inform them of what info I found on getting to the entrance of the trail."

Linda Freeman

"This trail is nice, dog friendly on a leash! Woodsy walk with more tree cover or full sun options to walk different trails. We have seen armadillos frequently before dusk time. Parking is very confusing initially, you have to walk along the road to get to the trail head entrance a quart mile away from where you park. It parking lot has trash cans and a picnic table which is a cute resource. I don’t remember any bathroom porta potty option. Found an abandoned shed out there which was kinda creepy initially and I’ve always bumped into another person/walking groups each time I’ve visited."

Diane Henry

"A very nice set of trails tucked away in between the 75 and 275 highways. Pet friendly, but not for Biking.

You enter the parking off of New Tampa Blvd onto Lizards Trail Rd and then you need to walk the sidewalk to the preserve hiking entrance. The parking lot is small but probably adequate for most of the daily traffic. There are some covered picnic tables, a bike rack, and trash cans as well as the park info kiosk. The walk to the entrance is about a quarter mile but unfortunately part of it does not have a good sidewalk and requires you to walk on Lizards Trail Rd road. Once you get to the entrance off of the New Tampa Blvd sidewalk you are able to connect to a boardwalk which leads to 3 trails (red, yellow, and blue). These trails are all large enough for a service vehicle (most of them you can see the tire tracks from the vehicles) and they don’t have any obstructions other than mud/water here and there. Definitely not recommended to visit this preserve immediately after a rainstorm as it would be a muddy mess.

The three trails in total (including the walk from the parking lot) is listed as being 3.22 miles but you will easily make it about 4 miles roundtrip if you do all the loops. While there are some color markers on the trails, there are multiple confusing areas where the trails meet with other service roads that look the same, so be on the lookout for more color markers each time you pass these intersections. Also the trails are shady is some areas but open in others, so sun protection (and bug spray) are recommended."

Ben Shaw

What People Like

Dog-friendly trails
Shaded nature walks
Armadillo sightings

What People Dislike

Confusing trail markers
Walk to trailhead

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The parking lot is at the end of Lizards Trail Rd. From there, you'll need to walk about a quarter-mile to the actual trail entrance, marked by a brown and white sign. Part of this walk may be along the road itself. Reddit

Yes, there is a parking lot. It's described as small but generally adequate for daily traffic. It includes trash cans, a picnic table, and a bike rack. Reddit

While there are trails, one review specifically states it's not recommended for biking. The trails are wide enough for service vehicles, but may not be ideal for cycling. Reddit

Cypress Creek Preserve is located between the I-75 and I-275 highways. Access is typically via New Tampa Blvd onto Lizards Trail Rd. Reddit

Information on public transport to Cypress Creek Preserve is limited. It's generally recommended to drive to the location. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

There is no mention of an entrance fee for Cypress Creek Preserve in the provided information. It appears to be a free-to-access nature preserve. Reddit

Specific operating hours for Cypress Creek Preserve are not detailed. However, it's a nature preserve, so it's likely open during daylight hours. Reddit

No advance booking or tickets are required for Cypress Creek Preserve, as it is a public nature preserve. Reddit

The main restriction mentioned is that dogs must be on a leash. It's also advised to avoid visiting immediately after heavy rain due to muddy conditions. Reddit

Yes, the trails are suitable for group hikes. The Florida Trail Association has hosted hikes there, indicating its capacity for organized groups. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Cypress Creek Preserve features a network of loop trails, including red, yellow, and blue paths. These trails are wide, suitable for service vehicles, and offer a mix of shade and sun. Reddit

While there are color markers, some areas where trails meet service roads can be confusing. It's important to be vigilant and look for markers at intersections. Reddit

Yes, Cypress Creek Preserve is dog-friendly, but your dog must be kept on a leash at all times. TikTokReddit

Visitors have frequently reported seeing armadillos, especially before dusk. The preserve is a natural habitat for various local wildlife. Reddit

There are no restrooms or bench seating areas directly on the trails. The parking area has trash cans and a picnic table. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The shaded trails with cypress and oak trees offer a natural, serene backdrop. Look for interesting light filtering through the canopy or unique flora. Reddit

With frequent armadillo sightings, it can be a good spot for wildlife photography, especially in the late afternoon. Patience and a good zoom lens are recommended. Reddit

Early mornings or late afternoons offer softer light, ideal for photography. These times also increase the chances of seeing wildlife like armadillos. Reddit

While there aren't prominent man-made landmarks, the natural beauty of the cypress trees and the occasional abandoned shed can make for interesting photographic subjects. Reddit

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the forest scenery, while a telephoto lens is useful for wildlife. Consider a tripod for low-light conditions in the shaded areas. Reddit

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