Lettuce Lake Park

Hikes by City

Lettuce Lake Park

Written by Sandra Friend

Lettuce Lake, from the observation tower A Tampa getaway amid a vast floodplain forest in a curve of the Hillsborough River

At the north edge of Tampa, Lettuce Lake Park protects 240 acres along the Hillsborough River, providing a getaway for hikers, bicyclists, and picnickers. Trapped between tall cypress trees in ponds dense with water lettuce, Lettuce Lake is a bend in the river creating a haunting swamp. Boardwalks lead you through this wild place. Best of all, a tall observation tower gives you a panoramic view of the river and the park.

Guidebooks
50 Hikes in Central Florida
Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State
Orlando & Central Florida: An Explorer's Guide

Locator Map

Directions & Location
From I-75, take exit 55, Temple Terrace, and follow Fletcher Avenue 0.8 mile west to the park’s entrance on the right. If you cross the Hillsborough River, you’ve gone too far! Follow the entry road to a T intersection. Make a right and then a left into the parking area. The hiking trail starts here as a boardwalk between the picnic tables.

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Overview

Overview
Location:         Tampa
Length:          1.8 miles
Lat-Long:         28.0752,-82.3745
Type:               loop and spur
Fees / Permits:   none
Good for:          children, dogs, wheelchairs
Difficulty:           1 of 5
Bug factor:        2 of 5
Restroom:         Yes