The Tampa Bay area is filled with beautiful parks, nature preserves, and gardens that make outdoor learning come alive. These parks are perfect not only for outdoor play and exercise but also for hands-on science lessons, gardening projects, and health and wellness studies.

Families can turn a simple park visit into a full day of learning—testing water quality in a pond, studying native plants, observing pollinators, or measuring heart rates after a brisk walk. Whether you’re exploring the shaded trails of Hillsborough River State Park, picnicking by the bay, or tending acommunity garden, Tampa Bay parks make it easy to blend fun, science, and wellness into your homeschool days.We’re lucky to have such a rich variety of natural spaces here on Florida’s Gulf Coast—places where curiosity grows right alongside the palm trees.

Tampa Bay Area – Best Parks & Playgrounds

• Hillsborough River State Park 15402 US-301 N, Thonotosassa, FL 33592 — (813) 987-6771
• Edward Medard Conservation Park 6140 Turkey Creek Rd, Plant City, FL 33567 — (813) 757-3802
• Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve Main access via Flatwoods/Trout Creek/Morris Bridge trailheads — Info: (813) 987-6211
• Eureka Springs Park 6400 Eureka Springs Rd, Tampa, FL 33610 — (813) 744-5536
• Lettuce Lake Conservation Park 6920 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL 33637 — (813) 987-6204
• Lithia Springs Conservation Park 3932 Lithia Springs Rd, Lithia, FL 33547 — (813) 744-5572
• John B. Sargeant Sr. Conservation Park 12702 US-301 N, Thonotosassa, FL 33592 — (813) 987-6208
• Carrollwood Village Park 4680 W Village Dr, Tampa, FL 33624 — Ranger Station (813) 269-2466
• Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park 100 Alderman’s Ford Park Dr, Lithia, FL 33547 — (813) 757-3801
• Lake Park 17302 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Lutz, FL 33549 — (813) 264-3806
• Lesley “Les” Miller Jr. All People’s Community Park & Life Center 6105 E Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33617 — (813) 744-5978
• E.G. Simmons Conservation Park 2401 19th Ave NW, Ruskin, FL 33570 — (813) 671-7655
• Flatwoods Park 14302 Morris Bridge Rd, Thonotosassa, FL 33592 — (813) 987-6211
• DeSoto Park (City of Tampa) 2617 Corrine St, Tampa, FL 33605 — Center (813) 242-5307
• Balm-Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve Entrance: 17633 Boyette Rd, Lithia, FL 33547 — Managed by HC & SWFWMD — (813) 672-7876
• Croc Encounters 8703 Bowles Rd, Tampa, FL 33637 — (813) 217-4400
• Bertha & Tony Saladino Park 1705 Bryan Rd, Brandon, FL 33511 — (813) 744-5595
• Lake Rogers Conservation Park 9010 N Mobley Rd, Odessa, FL 33556 — (813) 264-3806
• Violet Cury Preserve 18000 I-275, Lutz, FL 33549 (trailhead off Hanna Rd area) — Info: (813) 672-7876
• Copeland Park (City of Tampa) 11001 N 15th St, Tampa, FL 33612 — Center (813) 975-2743
• All Person’s Rotary Park 800–818 S Parsons Ave, Brandon, FL 33511 — (813) 635-3500
• Paul Sanders Park 602 W Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL 33511 — Questions via Emanuel P. Johnson Center (813) 671-7680
• Northdale Park 15550 Spring Pine Dr, Tampa, FL 33624 — (813) 264-8956
• Apollo Beach Nature Preserve 6760 Surfside Blvd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572 — (813) 672-7876
• Picnic Island Park (City of Tampa) 7409 Picnic Island Blvd, Tampa, FL 33616 — Admin (813) 274-8615
• Rowlett Park (City of Tampa) 2401 E Yukon St, Tampa, FL 33604 — Admin (813) 274-8615
• Veterans Memorial Park & Museum 3602 US-301 N, Tampa, FL 33619 — Museum (813) 635-8316 Cypress Point Park 5620 W Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607 — Admin (813) 274-8615
• Rivercrest Park 4802 N River Blvd, Tampa, FL 33603 — Admin (813) 274-8615
• DeSoto Park 2617 Corrine St, Tampa, FL 33605 — Center (813) 242-5307

Splash Pads – Tampa Bay Area

• Anderson Park (Hyde Park) 821 S Rome Ave, Tampa, FL 33606 — Parks Admin (813) 274-8615
• Ballast Point Park 5300 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611 — Admin (813) 274-8615
• Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park 601 Old Water St, Tampa, FL 33602 — Admin (813) 274-8615
• Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (Louver Fountain) 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 — Admin (813) 274-8615
• Giddens Park 5202 N 12th St, Tampa, FL 33603 — Admin (813) 274-8615
• Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park 1001 N Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33607 — Admin (813) 274-8615
• Water Works Park 1710 N Highland Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 — Admin (813) 274-8615

Hillsborough County Splash Pads

• Apollo Beach Park & Recreation Center 664 Golf & Sea Blvd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572 — (813) 671-7635
• Northdale Park 15550 Spring Pine Dr, Tampa, FL 33624 — (813) 264-8956
• Lesley “Les” Miller Jr. All People’s Community Park & Life Center (Crocodile Cove) 6105 E Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33617 — (813) 744-5978
• All Person’s Rotary Park 800–818 S Parsons Ave, Brandon, FL 33511 — (813) 635-3500
• Carrollwood Village Park 4680 W Village Dr, Tampa, FL 33624 — Ranger Station (813) 269-2466

Pinellas / Pasco Splash Pads

• St. Pete Pier – Majeed Foundation Splash Pad 600 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 — Pier Info (727) 822-6764
• Dell Holmes Park (St. Petersburg) 2741 22nd St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 — Parks & Rec (727) 893-7441
• Cypress Forest Spray Park (Oldsmar) 650 Pine Ave N, Oldsmar, FL 34677 — Rec (813) 749-1152
• WaterPlay at Zephyr Park (Zephyrhills) 5039 4th St, Zephyrhills, FL 33542 — City Info (813) 780-0022

Water Parks (Separate)

• Adventure Island 10001 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612 — (813) 884-4386
• Splash Harbour Water Park 399 2nd St, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785 — (727) 754-6492