Parks & Nature
Pinellas County has far more than beaches. There are county and state parks, nature preserves and a long paved trail, all within a short drive of our homes. Whether you are searching for parks in Clearwater, a good place to walk with kids, or a full nature day, here are the best options with real drive times. Opening hours, entry fees and parking rules change, so check each park’s own website before you go.
Big parks and islands
Fort De Soto Park
4.8The largest park in the Pinellas County system covers about 1,136 acres across five interconnected islands, with more than seven miles of waterfront and almost three miles of white sand beach. A seven-mile paved trail links North Beach, East Beach, the boat ramp and the camping area, and the park has a 2.25-mile paddling trail and a historic fort to explore.
Honeymoon Island State Park
4.7This barrier island park near Dunedin covers about 2,800 acres, with more than four miles of beach and a three-mile trail through one of the last virgin slash pine forests in the area. Caladesi Island State Park lies just to the south and is reached by boat.
Sand Key Park
4.7A 95-acre beach park in Clearwater with seasonal lifeguards, restrooms, showers and a food concession. Entry is free and parking has been about $5 a day. Sea turtles nest here from April through October.
Nature preserves and quiet parks
Weedon Island Preserve, St. Petersburg
About 4.7 miles of nature trails, including two miles of boardwalk and paved accessible paths, plus a cultural and natural history center and a paddling trail through the mangroves.
Moccasin Lake Nature Park, Clearwater
4.7A small city nature park with free admission and free parking. It has been open Thursday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., so check before you drive over. It is only about 14 to 16 minutes from On the Creek, Tortuga Hideaway and Hibiscus House.
Sawgrass Lake Park, St. Petersburg
4.7A 400-acre county preserve in St. Petersburg, and one of the closest big green spaces to Hibiscus House in Pinellas Park, about 13 minutes away.
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, St. Petersburg
4.7A nature preserve on the south side of St. Petersburg with walking trails and lake views, about 25 to 30 minutes from most of our homes.
Walsingham Park, near Largo and Seminole
4.8The park covers 354 acres around a 100-acre lake and is one of the closest big parks to our homes, only 5 to 17 minutes away. It is a good pick when you want green space close to the house.
Heritage Village, Largo
4.8A living history museum in Largo, a good rainy-day pick that is only a few minutes from our Largo homes.
The Pinellas Trail
The paved Pinellas Trail runs from Tarpon Springs in the north to St. Petersburg in the south, more than 40 miles depending on how it is counted. It is popular for biking, walking and running, and it passes through Largo and other towns near our homes.
How far are the parks?
| Drive time (minutes) | Indian Rocks Beach | Largo | St. Petersburg | Seminole | Pinellas Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walsingham Park | 12 | 9–17 | 13 | 6 | 16 |
| Heritage Village, Largo | 11 | 7–14 | 14 | 9 | 18 |
| Moccasin Lake Nature Park | 28 | 14–25 | 28 | 26 | 16 |
| Sawgrass Lake Park | 33 | 19–29 | 24 | 22 | 13 |
| Sand Key Park | 12 | 15–29 | 33 | 26 | 33 |
| Weedon Island Preserve | 40 | 27–37 | 29 | 27 | 19 |
| Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | 42 | 27–38 | 30 | 33 | 25 |
| Honeymoon Island State Park | 41 | 33–38 | 48 | 45 | 36 |
| Fort De Soto Park | 49 | 35–47 | 36 | 37 | 33 |
Approximate driving minutes from our homes in each area, without traffic. Largo shows the range across its three homes. Real trips vary with traffic and season.
Stay close to the parks
Our homes in Largo, St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park put several of these parks within 20 minutes. For a beach day, see the beach guide, or try fishing and kayaking. Browse all our homes.
Good to know
Fort De Soto Park has almost three miles of sandy beach, and Sand Key Park in Clearwater has lifeguards in season and easy facilities.
Sand Key Park for the beach and Moccasin Lake Nature Park for a quiet, free walk. Moccasin Lake is about 14 to 16 minutes from our Largo homes and Hibiscus House.
Some are, such as Moccasin Lake Nature Park, and some charge for parking or entry. Fees change, so check each park's website before you go.
Yes. It is a paved multi-use trail popular with cyclists, walkers and runners, and bike rentals are available near several trailheads.
Walsingham Park, between Largo and Seminole. It is 5 to 17 minutes from every home we have, and only about six minutes from Indian Shores Family Oasis.
It depends on the activity, and the drive-time table on this page shows it for each area. Our homes are in Indian Rocks Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Seminole and Pinellas Park, all a short drive from the Gulf beaches.
Stay close to it all
Private pool vacation homes, a short drive from the Gulf beaches: