Best Family Hiking Trails in Pinellas

Looking for family-friendly hiking trails and nature walks near Pinellas?

We’ve got you covered! We’re two local moms who grew up in the Clearwater area and are now raising our young families here.

We made this list when we were looking for nearby nature trails nearby for our own kids. These are trails we’ve tested out with our families and loved. You’ll find a lot of stroller-friendly trails, trails with playgrounds and free nature centers on our list!

Plus, we highlight some uniquely Florida trails, like our beautiful causeway trails around Pinellas.

Let’s take a hike!

Pinellas Trail

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 65 miles of trail that connects all of Pinellas
  • Nice paved pathways
  • Stroller-friendly
  • Fun trail-side stops like breweries & distilleries along the Dunedin portion of the trail

The Pinellas Trail is the quintessential trail in our area. It is a rail trail that is made along historic rail lines in our area.

John Chestnut Sr. Park

  • ADDRESS: 2200 E Lake Rd, Palm Harbor, FL 34685-2001
  • RECOMMENDED TRAIL: Boardwalk Trail with trial head near the bathrooms by the playground closest to the park entrance.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Lookout tower over Lake Tarpon where you can spot alligators (no ramp up the tower)
  • Stroller friendly
  • Easy parking
  • Playground near parking
  • Seating along the way & picnic tables.

I think John Chestnut Park is the place you are most likely to spot an alligator in our area. The easiest place is the small lakes by the bridges and water edge while head towards shelter 7 area. There is a second lakeside playground that way too.

Wall Springs

  • ADDRESS: 3725 Desoto Boulevard, Palm Harbor
  • RECOMMENDED TRAIL: There are two loops, one is longer and one is little.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Lookout tower (with ramp)
  • Lots of docks
  • Stroller friendly.
  • Near water so it’s cool
  • Playground near parking lot.


The trail gives you views of the natural spring head. You can also fish here with a salt water license

Philippe Park

baby at philippe park in safety harbor fl
  • ADDRESS: 2525 Philippe Pkwy, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
  • RECOMMENDED TRAIL: The water-view paths along the Temple Mound

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Located right on Tampa Bay with great water views.
  • Little “hidden” beaches to play at
  • Historic Native American burial mound with bay views
  • Stroller friendly (mostly)
  • Playground with plenty of shade located near hike

Philippe park is a popular family photo spot. If you are hiking in cute outfits be ready to take some pictures by the bay or with the beautiful oaks.

DISCLAIMER: The south end of Philippe Park regrettably lacks sidewalks. People walk on the road as there isn’t much car traffic, but it can be a factor if you have little kids. We still think there’s enough pluses to this park to keep it on the list.

Honeymoon Island

  • ADDRESS: 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698
  • COST: State Park entrance fee (discounted rate in the evening before sunset)
  • RECOMMENDED TRAIL: North Beach Trek for a beach walk

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Beautiful beach trails
  • Concession stands
  • Bathrooms

When I think of Honeymoon island I think of siting on a chair on the beach, but there are actually a number of pretty trails to walk there too!

If you still want to stick with the beach then park to the north and walk “north beach trek”.
(Note: This trail is not stroller friendly as it is on sand). Other popular hikes are Osprey Trail, Nature Center Trail and South Point Trail.

Check out our full honeymoon island guide before you go!

Hammock Park

  • ADDRESS: 1900 San Mateo Drive, Dunedin, FL 34698

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Lots of shade
  • Babbling brook
  • Stroller-friendly (not all paved but there’s boardwalk over marshy parts)
  • Lots of vegetation and possible animals
  • Splash pad near trail head near community center; several playground options

We recommend pairing this hike with the Kiwanis Splash Pad or the community pool to cool off after.

Brooker Creek Preserve

  • ADDRESS: 3940 Keystone Rd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Stroller-friendly
  • Most of the trail is a boardwalk
  • Good nature center (that’s air conditioned!)

We definitely recommend doing the nature center with littles. They will love it!

Weedon Preserve Island

  • ADDRESS: 1800 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Free Cultural and Natural History Center
  • Observation tower with views of the bay.
  • Guided hikes

They have guided hikes to take as well as webinars to get your kids excited and learn about things ahead of time. Here is the calendar.

Causeway Trails

a toddler dressed like a green dinosaur running on the Courtney Campbell bridge trail

ADDRESS: Courtney Campbell Causeway, Dunedin Causeway, Memorial Causeway to Clearwater Beach

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Stroller-friendly with big paved paths
  • Beautiful water views
  • Great for toddlers who love cars & trucks

We love the trails along our causeways. They have beautiful water views and nice big paved pathways, making them very stroller friendly.

The only downside of these trails is they don’t have any shade, so don’t forget sunscreen!

Mocassin Lake Park

stroller on a nature trail with trees on the sides of the path
  • ADDRESS: 2750 Park Trail Ln., Clearwater 33759
  • Website

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Bird sanctuary (free to visit)
  • Roaming peacocks
  • Lake-side trails with decent shade
  • Stroller-friendly
  • Playground

This is a great stop for kids because the trail lengths are not too long, and they have cool birds exhibits to check out. There also is a small playground

NOTE: Closed on Mondays (I’ve definitely made that mistake before)

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

  • ADDRESS: 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg
  • COST: $3 adults, $1.50 kids

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Can get a Pinellas Library museum pass to visit for free (check out our guide to the Pinellas Library Museum Pass program)
  • Guided family nature hikes
  • Home to Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center and Pinellas Pioneer Settlement

Greater Tampa Bay Area Trails

Myakka State Park

  • ADDRESS: 13208 State Road 72, Sarasota FL 34241
  • COST: State park per-vehicle entrance fee (currently $6)

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Almost 40 miles of hiking trails
  • Many places to spot alligators
  • Flat-bottom boat tours
  • Camping and cabins (currently limited because of hurricane flooding)

Hillsborough River State Park

  • ADDRESS: 15402 U.S. 301 North Thonotosassa FL 33592
  • COST: State park with per-vehicle entrance fee (currently $6)

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Four hiking trails
  • Fun place to camp
  • Canoeing

NOTE: This park can get flooding on trails during rainy times, which could limit stroller use.

Starkey Park

ADDRESS: 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd New Port Richey, FL 34655

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Feel like a “real trail” to kids
  • 7 miles of paved stroller-friendly trail
  • Connects to the Suncoast Trail
  • On a pond

Alafia State Park

  • ADDRESS: 14326 S. County Road 39, Lithia
  • COST: $5 per vehicle
  • Website

Alafia State Park hiking is notable in Florida because it has more elevation change. It’s hilly because its on a reclaimed phosphate mine.

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park

  • ADDRESS: 8737 U.S. Highway 19 North, Port Richey
  • COST: $4 per vehicle
  • Website

Hikes with views of the natural salt spring, sinks and during low tides a waterfall.

Edward Medard Conservation Park

ADDRESS: 6140 Turkey Creek Rd, Plant City, FL 33567

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Water views of the reservoir where you can kayak and boat
  • Trail that’s open to horses
  • Observation tower
  • Camping
  • Lots of park amenities

Dames Caves

ADDRESS: 10701 S Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461-8220

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Explore caves!
  • Stroller friendly

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