brooker creek preserve

Been here a few times. Have seen deer, turkeys, armadillo, turtle. Wonderful areas to hike around. They offer many wonderful informative programs. It is free and you just can't find a nice place to commune with nature.

A visit to this nature preserve is one of the best ways to get a close look at natural Florida up close and personal. Six different trails and paths combine to form 4 levels of hiking -- the perfect level for your experience and physical capabilities -- everything from paved/elevated paths suitable for strollers, scooters and wheelchairs that take under an hour, to more strenuous trails totaling 4 miles and 3.5 hours of hiking over elevated walkways and dirt/pine needle paths. All trails are clearly marked and there are plenty of benches for resting and enjoying the amazing views. There is a lot of signage to describe and explain the plant and animal life in the area. There is an outdoor picnic pavilion. You'll also find that the visitor center has indoor picnic tables, lockers and restrooms that are open 7 days a week. There is also a large education center which is closed on Sundays (we visited on a Sunday so I cannot tell you anything about it -- but it looked really nice from the outside). If you are interested in anything other than the shortest hike over paved paths -- flip flops and sandals will be OK but if you really want to dig in and hike you will will need close-toed athletic shoes because some of the trails are uneven, dirt paths. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are good to have in any weather as well as bottle water. If you are visiting after its been raining -- make sure to wear shoes that you don't mind getting muddy -- especially if you are engaging in the intermediate to expert level trails. We visited in February so mosquitos and insects weren't an issue - I assume bug spray would be a good idea in warmer months. Parking and access to the trails, visitor center and education center are all free. The park does host a large number of special events for birders, folks interested in learning more about the plant and wild life -- you name it. I believe some of the special services and events require a small donation. However -- the place is so large and jam packed with interesting sites, well marked and labeled trees and plants that you can have an amazing time without spending a penny. My husband and I did this as our Valentine's hike and it was very romantic for us. We saw several families as well -- this is a great activities for people of all ages and physical abilities. We had a wonderful time and look forward to returning to tackle all the available trails.

This handicapped accessible, all age friendly preserve has lots to offer if you can find it tucked away. It can be a bit boggy after the rains but the board walks keep you dry. The critters are all around you in their natural habitat, from the tree tops to the creeks. Wait quietly and you will see the otters playing while the Anhinga dries his wings. The hawks are hunting for their next meal, while you sit and enjoy your own picnic. The free educational presentations are outstanding, and don't forget you camera.

We attended a night hike here, it was enjoyable and informative. We also hike in the day time, some paths are wet due to rains earlier in the year. Worth a visit and really worth looking at all the free sessions they hold at the park (for a donation if possible). Looking forward to a bat talk this January.

This is where you will catch a glimpse of real Florida. Take a nature walk, hang out in the pavilion and do some bird spotting, watch the armadillos saunter through the woods. It's awesome.

This is probably the nicest natural areas that I have been to in Florida. It's no wonder they have so many volunteers. Who wouldn't want to spend a day in this gorgeous setting. You enter on a boardwalk in which one way goes to the welcome center and other buildings for educational activities or you can go the other way and start out on the trails, the beginning of which is the boardwalk area above the wetlands. The trails change in elevation a bit and you can see and feel the difference in the vegetation and atmosphere. In the welcome center there is a 15 minute movie that is more than a movie (go and check it out!) It's Disney worthy in my book. I attended a botany class there and the instructor was very knowledgeable and interesting. The Boy Scouts were there for another activity. Fun, interesting, and educational for everyone. The drive to get there is worth it!

Beautiful park. Free.Drive through the country, then follow walkway to Educational Center. Hands-on exhibits for kids and a fun history movie for kids and adults. Look on the website for guided hike schedules.

Brooker Creek Preserve has over 9000 acres in Pinellas County, FL, with lots of special activities Thursdays through the weekends. The Fall Wildflower Festival was great, with the butterfly screened in tent a really neat project. Lots of well-informed and friendly volunteers. Mosquito repellent is necessary most of the year because of the water and swamps near the trails. Very accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, with most of the easy trails on board walk.

Go team nature!! You all are amzing and you go above and beyond teaching my youth about the local eco system!

I recently visited from out of state and was so eager to check this park out. It hadn't rained in weeks yet the trail was completely flooded. We could maybe walk a mile at best into the forest only to be turned back on every trail. When I say flooded, it was a swamp, over ankle deep water on the path and for as far as one could see on either side. I wish the nice boardwalk that was at the beginning could be over these low parts, or maybe the trail could be filled in/elevated with dirt and mulch. The first portion we went on was gorgeous, I only wish I could have seen more. We were still able to enjoy our hike but it was much shorter than planned.

IF you see signs warning you of wet trails and you are not used to hiking in Florida, just be sure to clarify with the staff what that means. Sometimes it means it is more than muddy and you will be stepping through water that is several inches deep. Great park and free to visit. Highly recommend.

Depending on how much time you have and how mobile you are will determine how good this is for you. I was not able to walk all the trails so I missed out on any wildlife that might have been there. The boardwalk part did take me far enough to get the feeling of being in the bayou. They do not charge and the only cost is if want to give a donation. The workers are friendly and take the time to answer your questions.

My daughter and I had a very good hike inside this park. We really enjoyed the wildlife in the park. We saw turtles, many species of birds, armadillos, and more on this particular trip. This park is located just east of tarpon springs. If you would like to see some of what Florida looked like before development this is a nice day trip.

The boardwalks meander through marshlands filled with cypress and other water-loving plants. I am sure that there would be an abundance of wildlife along the boardwalks on a day that was warmer and not drizzling, but we enjoyed the beauty of the area anyway. The welcome center is really well stocked with educational materials and a nice little gift shop. There are immaculate restrooms. The volunteers are very knowledgable and friendly. The short video is a must since it is very creative.

My husband and I love to walk the trails. A bonus, our granddaughter loves it. My granddaughter and I saw a snake swim into the water, catch a tadpole and swim out of the water swallowing its lunch on her first visit. We have shared many enjoyable walks while she explores. We have seen armadillos, birds, fish, crickets, lizards, all sorts of bugs and spiders. We have silent time in the park, where we just listen and try to guess what it is we hear. The park is almost always empty and so close to home it makes it extra special. Can't wait until granddaughter number two is old enough to enjoy our walk. As a Florida native, this park reminds me of playing in the woods behind our home when I was a child and my summers at nature's classroom. A plus are extra clean bathrooms,, a nice boardwalk, so if it is wet out you can still see some of the park and plenty of areas to have a snack and enjoy the park.