Where is it?
The bike trail at Flatwoods Wilderness Preserve Park has two access points:
14302 Morris Bridge Road
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
18205 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33647
The price is $2 per vehicle, and you can pay by cash or card at one of the self-serve parking machines in the parking lot.
Florida in general isn’t really the most cycling friendly state, and Tampa is really a very bike friendly city with a reputation for actually being pretty dangerous for cyclists. But we do have some great options for bike trails, and if you’re looking for one of best biking experiences in the Tampa Bay Area, then make sure you check out the Flatwoods Bike Trail in Tampa. This awesome trail offers a unique combination of breathtaking views through a very stereotypical Florida backcountry landscape and it’s right right here in the middle of a suburban neighborhood, so it’s easy to reach and accessible to all. It’s a place definitely worth checking out.
The Flatwoods Bike Trail is located within Flatwoods Wilderness Preserve Park in the New Tampa neighborhood, and offers riders, runners, and hikers a scenic and challenging journey through some of the area’s most picturesque natural landscapes. And this is all right here tucked away in the Tampa suburbs. With it’s well-maintained trails, rest areas, and even water stations, the trail provides a great experience for riders of all skill and fitness levels.
Go biking on or off-road
So what makes the Flatwoods Bike Trail so special? Well, for starters, the the main trail is a seven mile paved loop, with a two mile access trail leading to it from the Bruce B. Downs parking lot. The park also has four dirt trails too for off-road mountain biking. So anybody whether you’re moutain biker to road cyclist will be happy here. There are lots of rest areas and access points to the off-road trails along the way too along the way. Parking is easy too. There’s two places you can reach the the Flatwoods Bike Trail. One entrance is off of Bruce B. Down’s Boulevard in New Tampa, and the other is off of Morris Bridge Road.
The trail winds its way through some of this part of Florida’s most scenic landscapes, with views of old grown pine flats and open grassland that are home to scores of local wildlife. If you’re a birdwatcher or wildlife lover, Flatwoods is a great place to catch a glimpse of birds such as ospreys, owls, hawks and even the occasional bald eagle. Flatwoods Park is also home to many Gopher Tortoises that can be spotted along the trails at most times of the year, while deer, alligators, and wild hogs are also a common site.
Staying safe on the Flatwoods bike trail
Of course, it’s essential to keep safety in mind when riding the Flatwoods Bike Trail. The trail is well-maintained, but it’s always important to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations, and to follow proper biking and hiking guidelines. And depending on the time of year, you may need to consider weather considerations and trail closures. Summer thunderstorms can pop up in an instant, so it’s always a good idea to pay attention to the weather.
Staying hydrated is important too, but there are several water stops all around the trail that are kept filled by the local park rangers who work here.