Parks Near Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club
There are so many parks available to the Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club area. I have chosen several parks that are nearby. Any of these parks would make a nice day trip.
Welcome to one of the gems of the Florida Park Service. Dade Battlefield offers a peaceful setting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. One can explore the park’s natural beauty along the park’s nature trail, or walk along the Old Fort King Road where Major Dade and his command encountered 180 Seminole Indians. Whether you enjoy nature or history, Dade Battlefield has something for the young and the young at heart. The battle that started the Second Seminole War is commemorated in January each year under the oaks of Dade Battlefield. On December 28, 1835, Seminole Indian warriors ambushed 108 soldiers at this site-only three soldiers survived. The park protects not only a historic battlefield, but also the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled over 180 years ago. Strolling a half-mile nature trail through pine flatwoods, visitors might see gopher tortoises, woodpeckers, songbirds, hawks, and indigo snakes. The park has a playground, picnic area with covered shelters, and a recreation hall. The visitor center has information and displays about the battle and visitors can watch a twelve-minute video history, This Land, These Men. The center is open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily. Located off I-75, exit 314, west of U.S. 301.
The sparkling waters of Lake Holathlikaha were a welcome sight to sick and wounded soldiers during the Second Seminole War. In 1836, the First Georgia Battalion of Volunteers built a stockade for the soldiers resting here, enabling the Volunteers to hold their own through several skirmishes with the Seminole Indians. The park´s diverse natural areas provide a refuge for many plants and animals, including threatened and endangered species. Fishing in Lake Holathlikaha is a popular activity; swimming is available only when the lake level is high enough. Private boats are not allowed on the lake, but paddleboat and canoe rentals are available. Nearly five miles of self-guided trails offer some of the best bird and wildlife viewing in Citrus County. Park visitors also can enjoy the picnic facilities, a recreation hall, and primitive group campground. Located off U.S. 41 on South Old Floral City Road, two miles south of Inverness. Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries. For Information about Fort Cooper State Park, please call 352-726-0315. The fee to enter the park is $2.00. Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year. Driving Directions Fort Cooper State Park is located just off US 41, on South Old Floral City Road, two miles south of Inverness.
3100 South Old Floral City Road Inverness, Florida 34450 Phone: 352-726-0315
Visitors can see West Indian manatees every day of the year from the park's underwater observatory in the main spring. The park showcases native Florida wildlife, including manatees, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, and river otters. Manatee programs are offered three times daily. At the Wildlife Encounter programs, snakes and other native animals are featured. Recreational opportunities include picnicking, nature study, and bird-watching. The park features a children's education center, providing hands-on experiences about Florida's environment. Transportation from the visitor center on U.S. 19 to the West Entrance is available by tram or boat. The park has two gift shops and a café with a selection of beverages and snacks. The park is open daily 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The ticket counters close at 4:00 p.m. Located in Homosassa Springs on U.S. 19. . Hours of Operation Open every day of the year from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Last tickets are sold at 4:00 p.m. We recommend that you allow 3 1/2 to 4 hours to tour the park.
Wildlife Encounters Programs: An educational program on Florida’s wildlife including Florida snakes, birds of prey, gopher tortoises, turtles and opossums. 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Manatee Programs: An educational program on the West Indian manatees and the park’s manatee rehabilitation program. 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Alligator and Hippo Program: An educational program on American alligators and the park’s Hippopotamus. 12:30 p.m.
Driving Directions Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is located in Homosassa Springs, which is on Highway 19. Park Fees Admission Fees - Adults (age 13 and over) $9.00 per person. Children (ages 3 through 12) $5.00 per person. There is no charge for children ages 2 years and under
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd. Homosassa, Florida 34446 Phone: 352-628-5343 Fax: 352-628-4243
A place of exceptional natural beauty, the undisturbed islands, inlets, backwaters, and forests of this preserve are especially cherished by nature lovers and photographers. The park borders 20 miles of the northern Gulf Coast between the two cities of Yankeetown and Homosassa. Visitors can hike or bicycle along nine miles of trails or study the native wildlife and plants on the two-and-a-half mile interpretive trail. Anglers can walk down a short path to the Mullet Hole for a relaxing afternoon of fishing. Paddlers can launch a kayak or canoe into the waters of the scenic Crystal River to see the park from the water. On the third Saturday of each month, the visitor center features the Redfish Revue Theatre, a video presentation about the park. Located west of U.S. 19 in Crystal River. Admission Fee - There is no entrance fee for this park.
Crystal River Preserve State Park 3266 North Sailboat Avenue Crystal River, Florida 34428 Phone: 352-563-0450 Fax: 352-563-0246
Archaeological evidence indicates that people have been using this spring for nearly 10,000 years. Rainbow Springs is Florida's fourth largest spring and, from the 1930s through the 1970s, was the site of a popular, privately-owned attraction. The Rainbow River is popular for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, and kayaking. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at both the headsprings and the campground. A picnic area at the spring includes tables, grills, and pavilions. For large gatherings, private pavilions can be reserved. Tubing is not allowed in the headsprings area of the park, but tubers can launch at nearby K.P. Hole County Park. The full-facility campground is about six miles from the day use area. The day use area is located three miles north of Dunnellon on the east side of U.S. 41. The campground is located on S.W. 180th Avenue Road about two miles north of County Road 484 and two miles south of State Road 40. This park is absolutely gorgeous. Whether it is swimming or paddling in the cool water of the springs, picnicking in the park, hiking or birding along the nature trails, or strolling through the gardens, Rainbow Springs has much to offer. You can learn about the ecology of both the uplands and the springs that make up this beautiful park. Enjoy your visit! Hours of Operation Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year. Driving Directions From I-75, exit at the second Ocala exit onto State Road 40. Take State Road 40, west. Drive until it deadends at U.S. 41. Turn left, the park entrance is on the left-hand side of the road. From Tampa, take U.S. 41, north. Drive through the town of Dunnellon. The park is located on the right-hand side of the road, approximately 2.5 miles north of Dunnellon. From areas in the northwest, take U.S. 41 to the town of Williston. After passing through Williston, you will come to a traffic light where State Road 40 has come to a deadend. Go through this light; the park entrance is on the left-hand side of the road. The campground is separate from the headsprings day use area and is located 2.5 miles north of C.R. 484 off of S.W. 180th Avenue or 2.5 miles south of Highway 40 off of S.W. 180th Aven
Park Fees Admission Fees - $1.00 per person (children under six years old are admitted for free). Camping Fees - $19.00/night. All campsites have water and electric. A limited number of sewer hookups are available.
Rainbow Springs State Park 19158 S.W. 81st Pl. Rd. Dunnellon, Florida 34432 Phone: 352-465-8555 Campground: 352-465-8550 Fax: Contact Park for Number
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