Lettuce Lake Regional Park Reviews

Cool park with walking trails. The boardwalk with the observation tower is the highlight here. Plus there’s alligators to see

Beautiful nature park with a nice boardwalk and tower. The trails are lovely to venture around as you take all fabulous sights of creatures and growing things. Be sure to keep a keen eye along both sides of the trails and walking paths so you don't walk right by it all!

I love Lettuce Lake park. I have gone here for 25 years and watched my kids climb the tower and ride their bikes on the trail. There are picnic areas (get there early, they fill up quick) with shelter and many places where you can just spread out a blanket. The view of the Hillsborough river from the tower is awesome. For a relaxing afternoon, this is the place

Beautiful boardwalks. Lots of birds to see. Spectacular scenery. The cypress trees are gorgeous! Loved it!

We were staying very near Lettuce Lake Park and took the time to walk around it. Entrance to the park is very cheap (2 dollars) and it was well worth a couple of hours of our time.
The boardwalk is beautiful in the evening. Along the walk we saw lizards, squirrels, a couple of armadillos foraging for food, many different types of birds, turtles, and fish, as well as multiple alligators.

The view tower toward the end of the boardwalk is a nice way to get up high and see across the lake in multiple directions.

For the price and relaxing atmosphere it is well worth a stop.

Read the reviews on Trip Advisor on "things to do" in the Tampa area. We have no interest in amusement parks so we followed the reviews of this lovely area in the city. It lived up to our expectations. Unfortunately it was a Sunday so many families were about with kids screaming enthusiastically. Great for families but, not a good environment for sneaking up on wildlife. But despite that, we did see two alligators and a host of herons (green, great white, blue etc.) and Anhingas. From the tower we watched an osprey leave his nest to catch a fish and return in a matter of minutes. There was no one staffing the visitor center or boardwalkit when we entered, no ranger or person to answer questions. The signage was sparse and looked like it needed volunteers. Who wouldn't want to volunteer here? Perhaps a few volunteers here and there on the boardwalk would have deterred people with dogs from the boardwalk where a good size sign says they are prohibited. We saw at least 4. If I return to Tampa I would definitely come back but not on a weekend.

I love this park the boardwalk is great just to see nature! the playgrounds are great for the little ones.

Nice park for playing ball, have a playground area and several picnic pavilions. On the boardwalk that goes along the Hillsborough river you can. Sometimes see alligators, turtles and of course snakes occasionally. You can climb the tower to get a better view of river and take pictures. You will we several birds 🐦a!so.

Beautiful walk on wonderful boardwalk on a sunny day. We saw a lot of wildlife, much more than on a cloudy day as I was told by someone that lives in Tampa. Great place to spend a day with family.

We spent a couple hours in this pretty little park. We loved all the board walks! Love a park with boardwalks. We saw lots of birds, but especially thrilled to see gators! Right there easy to see! If we ever get back to Tampa area we will go here again. Funny name but worth the visit. Recommended by locals. Not very far from the busy city.

Took a stroll and saw gators, birds, turtles, and such. Spent a few hours strolling around. Only 2 bucks to get in per car...hard to go wrong there.

This was really an interesting and informative activity. I was expecting a park but this is so much more! Where else can you find alligators, water fowl, turtles and frogs up close and personal

Park is not over crowded, has long beautiful boardwalk, plenty of wildlife sightings.
Has an observation tower, great for photos.

Nice walk near the city. We saw lots of wildlife. But questioned the fact that there were lots of teens just "hanging out".

Loved this place. Bring the binoculars. Only $2 per car to get in. Beautiful board walk through the park. Take your time look in the water for various turtles, fish, birds, alligators, and have even seen a deer and raccoon.

Beautiful, well laid-out park. We saw some alligators, which was our goal. Glad we took the time to check it out.

Such a nice park. My dog absolutely loves to go there as well. Nice paved trail with several non paved areas to walk. Also a boardwalk but you can't take animals on the boardwalk.
You can also see a lot of wildlife typically on the trails.

I visit this wonderful park frequently. So peaceful, with well-maintained walking trails through the woods and along the mangrove habitat along the Hillsborough River. Very peaceful, especially weekdays. Weekends can get a tad busy, though it never feels "overrun" with other visitors. This is what the County Park system should stand for - a terrific getaway from hectic day-to-day urban challenges. Lots of wildlife viewing, especially birds. This is a perfect spot to get away and enjoy the beautiful Florida environment.

I consider this place as a "gem of a getaway". It's close to everything in Tampa. It's unique as well because of it's location to Pasco County explorers. When the river is high, as it is now, it provides access to places not usually available during the dry times. For $2.00 a car load you should check this place out. Take the boardwalk all the way to the observation tower. If you have binoc's then bring them. Be sure to bring hydration as you'll need some. Please keep the voices and music down. Rudeness isn't well accepted here.

Loved the board walk and opportunity to see nature up close. Gators, birds, tree rats and lots of other fun things to see. So amazing.

Beautiful park, great boardwalks and hiking trails. Lots of wildlife. Plenty of space to picnic or bike ride! A bird watchers paradise. Fun for a quick solo morning nature walk.

Lots to see when walking through theatre trails. Flowers, greens, animals, birds, butterflies, all of God's creatures!

It's a regional park, you pay $2. per car; it has facilities, clean, pet ok. They have the lake, alligators, birds and wildlife.

If you don't like heights, you won't like this place. Climbing these stairs is also difficult for those with knee problems (very steep). On the other hand, if you have kids who need to run wild and burn energy, this is good. Our favorite place was the bird watching areas overlooking the water. So many pictures of so many different species! Glorious sunsets, too.

Alligators were out in the morning. Sunning and getting warm. Saw lots of birds. Great idea using boardwalk to walk thru the woods

The boardwalk takes you into the swampy area where you can see birds and turtles. I saw hatching turtles once. The view from the tower is relaxing because of it's tranquility.

This park is close by and is a nice hike to see some nature. They have a long boardwalk with a tower to look out over the lake. You will see alligators and lots of different Florida birds here. If you follow the right side boardwalk all the way to the fishing pier you might get lucky and see the barred owls that hang out in that area. I've seen them 2 or three times when I've been there. I've taken a large number of pictures of the wildlife at this park.

I was in town for a Christmas Party and needed something to do to kill a few hours. I wanted to check out the wildlife at this park and test out some new camera settings. This place was a gold mine. The boardwalk was an easy walk and there was an observation tower where you could take a lot of great pictures. I included a handful of the pictures i took at this place. Well worth the time! Please double check the GPS directions as mine were off a little!

We visited this park during a 4-day trip to Tampa based on the reviews here. They were not wrong - we loved Lettuce Lake! I was expecting to see some wildlife, but not nearly as much as we ended up seeing: alligators, turtles, lizards, and all kinds of birds including a roseate spoonbill, an owl, and a humming bird nest. Best of all, the paths and boardwalks were beautiful, mostly shady, and not crowded at all. The bathroom facilities were clean and accessible. Given that it cost only $2 to get in, this was one of the cheapest and best stops on our itinerary!

Really lovely park. We had a nice picnic and rented a canoe. Very shaded and accessible. Nice play area for kids.

The Park has an observation area as well as extensive paved trails and wooden boardwalks that are very well maintained.

The walk was easy (I had a 1yo and 3yo) and even in peak tourist season it was not very crowded. We saw a water snake, many birds and young gators as well as enjoying the marsh area, tree canopy and overall environment.

Great place to stop, take a stroll and enjoy nature.

Start out with $2.00 up to 8 person per vehicle entrance. Boardwalk open til 5:30, park closes at 6pm. didn't notice time it opened. There is several picnic areas, pavillions, playground throughout park. The day we went we went on the boardwalk behind what seemed to be an education/meeting center. The boardwalk is a good large length with twists and turns through nature and along the way you will find the observation tower. We saw 12 ft alligator and toddler size gators. Amazing how they blend right in with nature and you really have to have your eyes looking. A toddler gator relaxing on a small branch in the water was difficult to find. The wildlife of birds hidden throughout the trees, bushes, greenery made it a challenge to locate them in that part of nature but rewarding to photograph if you find them. I found one bird that I'd never seen before and have to id it. yellow head on a large crane like bird. Saw other birds, buds for beautiful yellow water lillies were there and I want to go back to see them opened in bloom. The boardwalk was big and thin as I use a walker but people in standard wheel chairs were on the boards also. Long to see much! Boardwalk and people walking, running can make photography a challenge to get clear shots but don't give up! The shots you do get are worth the patience. sitting benches build in along the way! Time went by so fast as we viewed many things. We left about closing time and that was the first time a bug came to me as we were leaving. Weather was a charming 70 degrees for Florida and an overcast day. We really liked it. Hope you enjoy if you have chance to go...

This place is gorgeous.
Most of the park is covered in boardwalks that allow you to walk through an old-Florida cypress swamp, without all the mess and mosquitos.
The sights are lovely, with bogs and plant life all over.

What's really impressive about this park is that it is just TEEMING with animal life.
I saw at least 4 alligators and about twenty birds, of many different species.
The birds seem pretty chill, and they are likely very used to humans.
Everywhere you go, there is something else to see.

There is a nature trail, but I did not have time to check it out.
That's okay though.
The $2 I spent to get in was well worth it to get to walk around the boardwalks for an hour.

My only drawback is that it can be a bit crowded on weekends, but that did not detract from my experience.

This is a nice small park which does have a kayak/canoe ramp and clean bathrooms. It does cost $5 to enter/park and only cash. No good fishing spot due to the boardwalk is far from the edge which is full of grasses. It is a well kept beautiful park.

I've been there many times and totally enjoy the boardwalks and viewing tower. Occasionally, you may see an alligator or water snake. The negative is that its namesake, the water lettuce plant (Pistia stratiotes) may be an invasive from South American. Africa or the US. It clogs Florida waterways and grows throughout the Southeastern US. Botanists can't seem to agree, since it has been recorded since the 16th century. As for danger, as long as you don't tromp through the water lettuce, you won't get nailed by a cottonmouth. Go for a picnic, but don't drink the Hillsborough River water.

This is a beautiful park. When you drive up, your are greeted by friendly gatekeeper. You pay a minimal fee...2.00 for cars. There are gorgeous trees with Spanish moss draped over branches. Options for canoeing, walking, biking, or having a cookout at one of the many shelters. Nice boardwalk through trees, over a wetland plenty of animals to see in a natural habitat.

One of the best parks around Tampa. It costs 2$ cash to enter. You can picnic, tent a kayak, walk or bring your bike.
I’m there is a boardwalk with different paths. Beautiful nature and plenty of animals to watch. Plz remember to redirect them.

Well-kept and loaded with classic outdoor picnic-in-the-park activities for families or couples. Nothing not to like BUT: I don't recommend from May to October as it's too hot and buggy (this is Florida, not a New England lake location). There is never swimming here--the river is saturated with alligators ALWAYS! They are not aggressive, so kayaking is safe and you'll see lots of other wildlife as well as "the big lizards"!

We took a boardwalk hike looking for critters. It was nicely done with appropriate signs. Birds and lizards were abundant. We finally saw two small alligators from a distance. Admission was $2/car.

This is a great lil park hidden right under our noses.theres plenty of parking,the entrance cost is very low,bathrooms kept up,the canoe launch is busy, and you can either rent from the park or bring your own they also supply life jackets ,but could be upgraded,The trails are great,and you have the choice of the paved ones or all natural.you feel like your alone with nature but you also feel safe cause you know there's civilization just around the next bend.bring water it's hot out there.the day we were there we didn't see many critters around.but enjoyed the day,the quiet walk through the trees were very calming.so go loose yourself and enjoy the woods.well maintained, trails are well marked.

We had a good time here - saw alligators, turtles and lots of birds.

The directional signing in the park is very poor and we walked around a lot before we found the best spots. No maps seemed to be available.

This is a gem of a park. There is a fairly long boardwalk that takes you into the forest and to the edge of the river. On our last visit we saw numerous alligators and roseate spoonbills, great egrets, ibis, limpkin, a couple snakes, a little blue heron, a massive osprey nest (with a bird in it), swallow tail kites, armadillos, a rabbit,...you get the idea. Spring appears to be the best time to go, with ample wildlife and few bugs. The park also has a loop 1.25 mile trail that is good for a gentle bike ride (fast cycling is prohibited) or a run. It's $2 to get in, or you can buy an annual pass for $50.

We are well acquainted with the real Florida having stayed on the St John’s River many times but found this park to be amazing! We visited twice, taking our lunch and then hiking the boardwalk over the swamp and climbing the observation tower. Wow. What a gem. Highly recommend! Thank you to the founders with the foresight to protect and preserve this precious resource. The beaches are lovely of course but this park is true Florida. Five stars to the screaming Limpkins at dusk. (IYKYK)

The trails are well marked, it's very clean, the staff are friendly, and there are signs throughout the trail that explain different eco systems. There is also canoe and kayak rentals. The cost was $2 per person for entry into the park when I went.

The park is very nice and I really enjoyed the walk on the boardwalk. I saw different species of birds and two crocodiles. I was very disappointed by the kayak service, in particular when I found out by a visitir that I had to book the kayak at the entrance. We walked up there again for then being told that they stop renting them at 2 and it was 2.05. Moreover, there is nobody helping the visitors to take the kayaks into the water. I wished I was told at the entrance what the park offered and the possibility of renting the kayaks.

Accessible park with beautifully maintained boardwalk and trails. Be sure to climb the tower for great river views. Natural Florida flora and fauna at its best is found here. An alligator sighting is likely.

This park had an nice boardwalk you could stroll along to get right up close to the lake and see plenty of plants & animals. We saw several large birds near the water. Near the end of our walk, we came upon a log with a gator and multiple turtles! My kids were so surprised and excited to see these animals in their natural habitat, instead of in a zoo enclosure. It was a nice, inexpensive way to spend a morning away from the touristy vacation activities and get some exercise in.

2.00 to park. Walk in for free. Loved the bike path, Play Ground, Barbecue pits, bathrooms, Volleyball nets, Kayaking and Audubon Center with awesome, vibrant staff but the BEST is the boardwalk that wends around the edge of Lettuce Lake. We walked every morning while on vacation. If you are visiting and want to spend lots of time here consider staying at the Hampton Inn walkable from the park entrance

I love the outdoor and forest absolutely peaceful and beautiful. They have restrooms in every corner you can go kayak. The trails are to die for you can go on a good morning run do family picnic have a big kids park

There are many types of wild life and plants that you can see close up. Walking here is like walking in a living nature book. Sights, sounds, and smells of Florida.

Boyfriend and I are here for a concert and needed to kill 2 hours. For $2 we went to Lettuce Lake Park and rode our electric bikes. Very quiet and the beautiful! Unfortunately it rained so we didn't do the boardwalk but we did find one of the canoe launches. Great places for families...tons of shade , some playgrounds, and shelters.

Park entrance is 4 or 5 dollars, but worth it if you are spending some time there. It's a big place and has a lot of visitors, a big tourist pull suprisingly.

Loved that the path was paved. Stroller, dog, bike friendly. Wide path. Loved the views of the water. Wish I had a kayak or paddleboard with me.

We've been visiting Lettuce Lake Park for years. Very beautiful place with playgrounds, walking paths, nature, restrooms, and plenty of shelters with parking. We recently host a birthday picnic there and rented one shelter ($75) even though there were bunch of vacant shelters. Few years back around the same time of the year we had no luck finding a shelter that's why reserved one.
Absolutely beautiful place for nature lovers! Highly recommend for a day/ half day visit.

I absolutely loce coming to this place when in Tampa because i love looking at the wildlife. Highly recommend.

View is awesome. Cannot express or describe the view that was there. if you are here you need to have at least 3 hours or more to enjoy

I always see birds here. It is best in winter early or near dusk. Check on the hours but I usually go at 8 am.

My husband and I took our 3 month old in her stroller. It's super cheap to get in and the park is clean and fun. There was shade provided by the trees on the board walks. We saw a lot of wildlife. It was quiet and relaxing.

See what old Florida was like from the comfort of a boardwalk. Nice park on a cool day but would not recommend in the Summer heat.

The best reason to visit is to rent canoes. Take your visiting friends for a gentle paddle and you absolutely will see alligators. No big deal for Floridian, but a special treat for many others.

My mother-in-law said they need to provide maps. A really lovely park. The boardwalk is well maintained and we were able to see so many birds and lovely foliage. We didn’t get to see an alligator, so I was disappointed. The other nature trails are well maintained and fun to walk on. The green space and playground were also very nice. The $2 admission fee was very affordable and made us so happy that now we can afford to do something else while in Tampa!

This place was amazing!!! We walked on the boardwalk and it is a birdwatchers' dream. There were tons of great herons, ibis, alligators, and the cream of the crop - roseate spoonbills!!! There were too many to count on the day I was here (April 14). There were at least 50 in the wading area - they were so gorgeous. I also saw a limpkin, which I don't see that much. We didn't do much else in this park, because we had just come from Hillsborough State Park; but, we did do the entire boardwalk and it was spectacular! I am going to post photos in a couple days of the spoonbills - they made it worth the trip!

It was a beautiful park , a cool day as well. Enjoyed it except it was active allergy season and the next day my allergies were in full bloom.

We go to this park several times a year. Great for walks, barbecues, Birthday parties and bike riding for children.
Always something new to see. You can canoe and fish too.

Super cool place. Lots of shade so it was walkable even on a hot day. There is so much to see. Dog friendly too,!

This is the place to go to see birds, sun and fun. The kids will love the boardwalk through the cypress swamp. You may also see an alligator!

I had some time to kill and came to the park to hike and learn. The boardwalk was terrific and really gave an in-depth view as to all things Florida. Great animals and bird watching!

Just down the street from us, this park is beautifully laid out for strolling. Lots of picnic shelters for rent (via county website), a few playgrounds, and ample restrooms. Highly recommend if you are looking for delightful outdoor fun in Tampa.

My daughters and I took my 4 grandchildren here to have free playtime, enjoy a picnic lunch near the playground, and take a nature hike on a scavenger hunt. We saw gopher turtles, small alligators and several species of birds.
There is an interpretive center that is set to be refurbished and updated soon. There are pavilions that can be reserved in advance as well as other picnic areas throughout the park.
There are hiking trails, a boardwalk and 3 story tower along the Hillsborough River's edge where you can also rent canoes or kayaks.
There is only a $2 per carload fee for county parks.
There are ample restrooms available and are well maintained.
This is a great place to take children to get out and enjoy nature and to play outdoors.

Great park - There are nicely maintained boardwalks along the water, hiking trails, an observation tower, reasonable canoe/kayak rentals, a visitors center, & more. Only $2 (cash only) per vehicle to enter. It’s also dog friendly, except on the boardwalks.

Great day with lots of birds and gators. Get there before the heat of the day to see the best variety of animals.

We recently walked through lettuce lake with our family including two grandchildren. Everyone enjoyed the lovely walk and spotted three gators near the outlook tower. We come whenever we have out of town visitors as well as days we are free on the weekend. A quiet but wonderful treasure of Tampa bay.

Nice local/regional park. Nice trails beside the river. Lots of plants and animals to see. Relaxing. Nice boardwalk. Good to find out why it's called 'Lettuce' Park.

One of my favorite places to go into nature without having to go out of town. Also, a great place to take out of town visitors who want to see alligators in a natural setting. Bring a picnic and spend the afternoon.

This was a very nice place. Lots of animals to see an the boardwalk is very easy to navigate, and definitely wheelchair friendly. We saw alligators and lots of different birds. Quite a relaxing walk.

We also met the photographer of many of the photos in the visitor's center. He was very informative and educational gave us several tips on how to take photos of the area

Well worth the stop and the two bucks.

a place to see alligator an other critters from relative safety of boardwalk. Canoe rentals available.

We went to this fabulous park yesterday and were fortunate to see 2 gators and lots of beautiful birds. It was great to walk through all the Cypress trees and do some exploring. The water was incredibly low so that was discouraging but we still had fun. The boardwalk behind the visitors center is where to go to get to the tower and see the gators.

Wonderful boardwalk and observation tower. Grab a sandwich before entering the park, and sit peacefully at one of the many tables scattered in beautiful settings. Saw many delightful birds, a gator, and turtles. This is a not-to-be missed park, with views of enormous trees strewn with spanish moss. Only $2 to get in - what a bargain!

The kids and I love this park. Animals all over and finding them is all the fun. We walk the boardwalk for a couple of hours. The tower is a really nice surprise.

We visited this park after searching online for a nice place to walk. There is a $2 Carload fee to get into park. Winding road takes you past little picnic shelters and then to the visitor center. There are boardwalks, gravel paths and paved walking paths. We walked the whole boardwalk and then walked some of the walking trails. Variety of birds and an alligator was the only wildlife we saw. Park is well kept, observation tower is a nice addition.

Being new to Florida we came here to see the crocodiles and turtles in their natural habitat and were not disappointed. Was shocked to see paddle boarders and canoeing in the same waters but I guess this is normal now we have been here for a while.
Loads of nice places to take a picnic and great walking and cycling trails.

Every place we visit we try to hike bait. We are 63 so want easy to get to. This park is wonderful. Boardwalk that is good for me because I am scared of a lot of the creepy craw lies. We saw many many different bird types, maybe 30 different species, saw 2 gators and really enjoyed the hour or so that. We were there. Admission only $2 per car

Great boardwalk. Lots to discover! Bring comfortable shoes because your going to hike. Wooden boardwalk with many, many animals and plants to see.

This is a very nice park, there are several trails to take. I even seen an armadillo! They have a nice boardwalk too.

This is a very popular birding area. Every 2nd Saturday, they have a guided birding group at 9 AM. Meet in the parking lot by the visitor center. They don't allow dogs or children under a certain age. We brought my sister's dogs and walked the paved walking path, which was a 1.25 mi loop. Very pleasant with lots of picnic areas.

While at Lettuce Lake park, we spotted alligators, interesting birds and tons of butterflies. It is a beautiful, relaxing place to hang out for a morning

The long board walk along the river is an absolute must do. Plenty of picnic areas. The children's play area is large and well maintained. Lots of trails that are well-marked. A large open grassy area for sports play. Parking is usually sufficient but can occasionally be challenging if there are too many large groups there on the weekends.

Spent a few hours on the board walk taking in plant life and wildlife you don’t get to see everyday in its natural environment. And given alligators were part of that wildlife, we were happy to do it from the safety of the boardwalk!

Lettuce Lake Park is a beautiful place...although it can get pretty hot very quickly. Come prepared to enjoy the wildlife.

Visited with friend who recently moved here as one of her favorite places to walk. Very peaceful except for the sounds of birds and other wildlife. Enjoyed the views of water.

We found this gem during our short stay over Tampa area. We got two sons with us they are 14 and 10. Was trying to join a guided kayaking tour, instead we found this place for canoeing/kayaking. It was kind of windy that day. Once we got into area with trees on two sides, no wind bothered us. Birds, turtles, alligators were seen along the river. Very beautiful. 4 hours cost $25 per canoe, that's affordable. We went back for boardwalking the next day, enjoyed this park. Highly recommended.

Nice trails, can ride bikes, picnic here and just enjoy nature. Have climbup areas, view the water, from up high.

The boardwalk that goes throughout the swampy area is lengthy, but offers up close views of the plant life and wildlife. We saw alligators, turtles, cottonmouth snakes, egrets, herons, and ibis.

We saw two large alligators (as we’d hoped, from the safety of the boardwalk), many lovely trees, birds, and an armadillo up close. The exhibits in the visitor center were limited (we saw them all in 5-10 minutes) but the boardwalk and nature trails were good exercise and fun for the kids.

Park staff were friendly and attentive. Bathrooms were clean and in good condition.

We would come back.

There's a paved path under trees where you can take a 45 minute walk around the loop. Optional tower climb for a view of Hillsborough River. Lots of birds. Occasionally, you see a gator, turtle or snake. Nice picnic areas and restrooms. A couple of dirt paths, but some have poison ivy.
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My husband and i were looking for a way to pass the time after dropping the kids off at Busch Gardens. We thought we would spend a few minutes at this park but ended up there for hours! The boardwalk area is great for spotting wildlife and taking photos. You can rent a canoe from the person at the gate very reasonably ($20 for 4 hrs, i think). It was incredibly peaceful canoeing in the river.

We were looking for an activity to do with three teens— they really wanted to see Alligators in the wild, and we were not really in the mood to drive down to the Everglades. A Tripadvisor search led us to Lettuce Lake park, and nobody was disappointed!
The park is an amazing tract of pure nature and wildlife, just minutes from the city!
We paid a ridiculously reasonable $2.00 entry fee for the vehicle. We could have rented kayaks or canoes at the entrance gate, but decided to just walk the boardwalk. Signage was a bit confusing, but we parked and meandered until we figured out which way we had to go to the boardwalk.
As soon as you drive onto the property, you are transported into a jungle-like atmosphere. Along the boardwalk we saw many turtles, a huge selection of birds, two alligators, and two water moccasins! It was a nice 3 km walk along all the paths and back to the car. It was a warm day and we could
feel the humidity, but it was still pleasant.
The best part of the experience was the peacefulness of it. There was *quiet* (ahhhh) and the sounds of birds, and the wind in the branches, and water flowing... There were not a lot of other people on the boardwalk and we could stop to take pictures and stroll leasurely. You really need to look around to see the wildlife. There were turtles hidden on all kinds of logs, and birds stalking fish and bugs in the water. The snakes were very hidden but a nice man pointed them out to us.
A few times a very loud group of running and yelling people passed us (and 2 parties with dogs, which are not allowed on the boardwalk as indicated on every entrance sign)— they definitely were not there for the nature experience and they also scared off a few animals while we were trying to take photos, but luckily that happened only two or three times.
The ‘Visitor Centre’ had a few interesting displays and restrooms, as well as a drinking fountain outside.
On the way out of the park we spoke to two extremely friendly park rangers and they gave us a lot of interesting information about the park and the animals. We also saw a tortoise along the side of the road!
Overall, it was an amazing expereince and we can’t believe we hadn’t been there before! We will definitely go back again— we didn’t see the 12 foot gator who lives there... maybe next time!

This is a fantastic place to visit if you’re on a budget and you want to see some wildlife in their natural habitat. While I was there I saw an alligator, two turtles, a few snakes and numerous birds. Definitely worth a visit.

This park is a nice get a way from the busy streets of Tampa. Bring your binoculars to see all the wonderful birds and wildlife!

This place is ok, but take water and plan on walking a lot. Sometimes it can get quite hot. It was a good day, but not really worth driving across town for.

We came for a and to see some Gators and a nice walk and we got both. The entry fee into the park was only $2 for the car. The walk along the boardwalk only took us about 45 minutes but we were going fast and we saw multiple Gators which is cool because we are from Michigan and we don't get to see that often. Great deal.

If you are looking for a spot to get away from the hustle and bustle this is it. Very well kept park with a boardwalk through a swamp. Very nice if you take the time to observe the various plants and wildlife. We saw several alligators, turtles and various birds. Bring binoculars.

It was cool and cloudy so we thought for sure we weren't going to see much wildlife. But...we were wrong! We still got to see a gator and some fun shore birds.

This is one of the best parks in Central Florida. I bring my dogs to walk here almost every weekend. They have a nice playground for kids & you can have birthday parties here. I highly recommend.

Walking along the boardwalk we observed some great wildlife including a close up view of an alligator, turtles, snakes and birds. The viewing tower was an easy climb with a nice perspective of the lake and park. The park also has hiking trails and a paved path for biking, roller-blading, running, etc. Bathroooms are on site and picnic areas are available.

I was in the Tampa area for business with my wife. We stopped by a restaurant for dinner and noticed signs for Lettuce Lake Park. We wondered what it was, so decided to visit. After paying a $2.00 fee to drive in, we parked and decided to go for a walk. We came upon a boardwalk that took us out over the edge of the lake and swampy areas. We saw wildlife galore right from the start when a squirrel come right up to us as if to say hi. We saw some really cool birds up close and got some great pictures. Then there were the two turtles knocking each other off a log. Turning off onto a connecting boardwalk we suddenly spotted an alligator, relaxing in the sun right beside the boardwalk! A few minutes later, a smaller gator came up right beside the first. The birds were signing all around and the forest was awesome greenery after being up north for the winter. We spent a couple of hours the we thoroughly enjoyed. We plan to return in the future and rent a couple of kayaks (reasonably priced) to further explore. A great escape!!

Take a picnic breakfast or lunch. There is a good network of walking paths. A not-to-miss for birders or naturalists. Nice visitor center.

Was $2 for entrance. Really nice boardwalk, saw several alligator, turtles and lots of birds. The small nature center was really cool, had clean modern bathrooms. Didn’t get to complete boardwalk or see tower as it was a short visit but definitely look forward to visiting again!

Close to Mofitt cancer center. I needed to wait while my MIL was in visiting, so I found this park/trail and enjoyed my wait.

The boardwalk was nice and we saw some beautiful sites. No alligator sightings, but lots of butterflies and beautiful mossy trees. Deducted a star because part of the end of the boardwalk was underwater and inaccessible, but I saw no information about that being the case so we just stumbled upon it. It's a 2 dollar cash only entry fee (we had to turn around and go to the atm because we hardly every have cash). There's a playground, places to rent kayaks, picnic areas, and a lot different trails.

Great place for families has a wonderful play ground area and we loved the boardwalk where we got to see lots of animals and birds.

A lot of nice trails and really nice boardwalk. Plus, there is a tower that allows you to view the Hillsborough River. Great place to see birds and the tower gives you a great vantage point. Really nice for photographers and birders.

Had a great time spending the day at this amazing place. It is a great way to spend your Sunday at this place. We went Kayaking in the morning, we could see the gators. The place is quiet, not many people Kayaking which is good. And then had a great time walking the trail, it is beautiful

WOW! We were in town for a wedding and stopped here. We loved all the critters! Alligators, storks, cranes, lizards.....it was so nice. We walked the trails. I would love to come back. You can also rent kayaks and we would've loved to if we had time. For only $25 you can paddle for 4 hours!

The Park was wonderful but there were no maps of the trails. We heard there is a tower to view alligators but never found it. I know there was a trail off the pavement but did not go there because of disability. Nothing against the park as it was nice, clean, and well manicured. Just wanted to suggest they have maps in the Visitor Center to point out different areas.

After getting «mugged» by ofter commercial parks, the 2$ entrance by car-fee was a plesant surprise. We had a great walk, got to see many gators, fish, birds, turtles and awesame swamps. Highly reccomended. We spendt about an hour and a half there.

I went here on Thursday to take some pictures (I am getting into photography and wanted some nice nature and landscapes to add to my "portfolio") and was pretty happy with the results. My only suggestion is to NOT go here during the 90 degree days of Florida (which is a large part of the year to be honest). Also, when you use the boardwalk to explore the park beware that the smell isn't the greatest. It smells probably like how the Bog of Eternal Stench would smell if the Labyrinth was real. I would suggest this place though to those who like nature.

Nice park with excellent paths to go for a walk or to look for wildlife. The entry costs 2 dollars, which is fair since the park was kept nicely. Would recommend to bring some water!

The trails are easy to walk. the scenery is lovely even in the winter. It only costs $2 a car to visit. It was a wonderful place to walk my dog (except dogs are prohibited to walk the boardwalk) but the trails are great. There were quite a few families walking with their children. There were people running. There is a playground and many work out stations along the way.

We had a birthday party in one of the pavilions and it was great. Right next to the playground. Make sure you reserve the pavilions in advance.

There has been trouble in this park with strange men....don't go alone. I am sure you can search info on the park and read the articles.

We love going here and just enjoying the outdoors. Take a walk on the Boardwalk, enjoy the scenery and look and listen for animals & birds. Nice picnic tables & restrooms.

This is a brilliant attraction and seeing a true natural part of America. Despite just being off the interstate - you can't hear it. This is a natural area of outstanding beauty. $2 car parking and that it is. You can literally hear the pulse of the nature and the pulse of creatures around you. Totally tranquil. The park is boardwalk over part of the lake. Need to ensure that you wear a decent pair of shoes / trainers as wildlife does roam free. Great little place to stop for an hour on a road trip. Would highly recommend!

A beautiful park with a fabulous boardwalk through the swamp. There are gators, turtles, all types of birds, from pink spoon bill cranes, ibis, blue crane and many more. Incredible vegetation that changes seasonally...a magical place, a must see.

Blessed with beautiful weather, the park is a lovely sylvan site. The paths wend around the lake and river where old foundations of the bridge can still be found.

Cool park, clean, easy to access and park

Very tranquil setting all around
Water was very high when we were there which was nice but canoes couldn’t be rented

Walkways are the bomb

this is a very beautiful park, nature center has a lot of info. we enjoyed the boardwalk, and saw a lot of wildlife.a place not to miss.

Need a fix of nature and a place to take a quiet stroll, visit Lettuce Lake Park. The boardwalk gives excellent views of the wildlife along the river. Also a great place to walk your dog.

Florida has some of the nicest parks in the country, however, Lettuce Lake Park has become my favorite. First, it is immaculate in cleanliness, zero trash, fresh, sanitized restrooms. Very nice picnic shelters, safe playgrounds and very courteous park rangers, The 1 1/4 mile paved trail is quiet, serene and filled with wildlife, like rabbits, possums, armadillos, tortoises, rare birds, and deer. The 1.5 mile boardwalk offers a climbing tower that looks out over the Hillsborough River, which is very accommodating for kayaks and canoes. The nature center contains wonderful exhibits of the parks' history and education on natural habitats. There are hidden nature trails as well, which often smells of fresh pine and wildflowers.

This very beautiful park is great for dog walking, jogging, biking, photography, exercise, canoeing, picnicking and family gatherings. If you are looking for a peaceful, clean, natural environment, this park is for you.

My favorite place to be is this heavenly park, especially in the morning when the air is cool and the birds are singing.

Nice trails, nice water system and nice BBQ shelters for visitors to row beside gators, watch birds and reptiles and enjoy weekend afternoons.

Although it was a little chilly on when I visited ( around 50 degrees F) ...it was a nice change of pace from the single digit temperatures I left behind in New England. We saw a countless assortment of birds. The hike was more of a walk on beautifully maintained boardwalks through the swamp. A perfect day out for all activity levels. Any nature lover would enjoy visiting this park.

Great place to take small kids for a picnic. Plenty of tables, play areas and climbing trees. Boardwalk is relatively short and we saw several alligators/birds. It cost $2 to enter the park.

We spent a lovely afternoon walking the boardwalk and spotting wildlife here in the park. We walked the boardwalk from the nature center to the observation tower and then around the rest of the boardwalk. Along the way, we spotted three alligators, turtles, several species of birds, and lizards. The observation tower provided a nice view of the lake. The park is beautiful, wildlife spotting was easy, and the boardwalks provide an easily walkable path. Our group will definitely be back.

My co-workers and I had a team building lunch at the park and we had one of the best times out of the office. The shelters provide plenty of shade and the barbecue grills available let us have some great burgers and hot dogs. A group of us also took a long walk along the waterfront, which was beautiful and very peaceful. We saw several kinds of birds and kept an eye out for alligators (although we didn't see any on this trip).

We saw lots of wildlife, including a small alligator. It’s a nice park, with a beautiful boardwalk, plenty of parking, clean facilities.

It was so nice, weather was perfect! A quiet, serene, couple of hours on a kayak up the Hillsborough river and back. Amazing views. Saw many White Egrets, Blue Herons, and many other birds. Saw a couple gators too!

Went there with my friend on a weekend trip to Tampa (away from the Chicago cold). This park is a very well preserved wetland ecosystem, and seemed like a local favorite for families. The park even has kayak and canoe rentals (you just need to call in advance to reserve).

This park is amazing, complete beauty. Also great for a bike ride as well as a walks. Always see friendly staff.

Two nice walking loops roughly .75 and 1.25 miles. Lots of animals seen from from a distance: birds, alligator, snake & armadillo. Parking is $2.

The boardwalk trek to the Lake was awesome: it felt safely elevated above the gators but it offered excellent opportunities to view the gators and a variety of beautiful water birds in their native habitat. Terrific day trip for only a $2 vehicle entry fee. (But, if you are on the boardwalk trail, keep your voices down, tourists!)

Back in the 80’s and 90’s this was used as a place for sexual encounters by males v males, females v females and females v males. It was Not a place to take your children as they were very out in the open about it so you never knew what would be around the next, Bush, tree or corner! Thankfully, they seem to have gotten it under control! Fortunately, I did not see One inappropriate scenario during our visit. Just couples men & women, men & men and women & women on blankets, sitting, talking, hugging, kissing but nothing that young eyes would not see on an outing to the beach. However, the one negative thing I encountered was the Smell of people BBQ’ing which made me hungry and ended up costing me money...lol

We drove in and paid our $2 (only $2) entry fee for the car. Unfamiliar with the park, we parked at the second car park area we encountered. Once out, there were no signs to direct us to the boardwalks, which is where we wanted to be, but with the help of a passing staff member, we were directed across a park to the visitors centre and from there the boardwalks were signed, perhaps earlier signing for us newcomers? The boardwalks took us through the wooded swamp area, up to and along the lake, there’s a good watchtower along the route. We saw gators, birds and insects. A lovely chance to get close to nature in a peaceful setting.

This park is absolutely amazing! Entrance price is $2 per car. Drive in and park. There are picnic gazebo areas for rent. There is an area where you can rent canoes.

The wooden walkway is great and allows many wonderful views of: trees, water, wildlife, etc. There is an observation deck that gives a fantastic view of the water and trees. This park is a photographer’s paradise!

A natural wetland that is peaceful and quiet. Handicap accessible. I highly recommend this park!

This is a great park for any time of the year. I love the boardwalk. I have gone to this park hundreds of time - alone, just to think and with kids (when they were in stroller to when they are college bound). In the past, I have gone for ranger walk also and my boys learnt about all kinds of snakes from a ranger when they were little. You will enjoy your visit .. and you can rent a canoe here also.

A favorite for families who want some time in nature without traveling far out of the city. Boardwalks, lookout towers, picnic pavilions, and a nature center combine with boat/kayak/canoe rentals for a relaxing destination.

playground had many options for kids of various ages. The boardwalk was fun to explore and we did spot alligators!

First time ever canoeing! I loved it! Great nature to be found, turtles, gators, birds!
The day was beautiful. We have been there for bikes rides also. Perfect place for a picnic, fun to walk the boardwalk. Will go back for sure!

I chaperoned my daughter's school trip there recently. It was a great experience and the kids had a blast. I personally liked it and is looking forward to returning to enjoy it fully.

My hubby and i spend some time here for like 2 hours. Nice trail and so much time for pictures. I was not aware of so much alligator so that part was a little scary

Enjoyable experience for entire family. Terrific boardwalk to observe residents of this marshland... great variety of birds and you will see a gator or two. Observation Tower easily climbed and fun! Gators were lurking in the sunny shallow water covered in little green plants. We saw three young gators in total.
$2 entry per car (allowed up to 8 people).
We thoroughly enjoyed 3 hours in this great park

It’s a nice fun relaxing park! It’s 2 dollars a car load, the offer kayaks, grills, and hiking trails. The place is nice and pretty!!

Walk on the boardwalk, dont feed the alligators but you can observe them..feels like you are walking in a different era..lots of natural beauty, great picnic areas and great for playing soccer, or other sports...restrooms and there is a fee to enter.

This was a nice day out with the family. We did the boardwalk. Saw loads of animals (rattle snake on the road at entrance, cotton mouth snake, gators, birds).
The boardwalk is raised of the ground water so quite safe.
Points to note:
* boardwalk is very well signposted so can get abit confusing
*starting at the visotr center, boardwalk forks left and right, to the left ends where the canoes are, recommend you double back to the beginning to do the other side.
* boardwalk on the right also forks at about rhe half way point. Continue straight on at this point as it's a dead end and you will come back on yourself. Then you can take the fork on your left (would've been on your right S you first approached) which takes you all the way round back to the visitor center.

I didn't feel to go melting for the beach today with the family, so we decided to go somewhere where we can be outside but won't get heatstroke. This park was an absolutely good choice! The entrance fee is cheap (2 dollars/car) and they have lots of parking spots around the park. The nature walk was clean, well maintained, and the view was gorgeous! The kids (8., 8., and 10 yrs old) enjoyed the exhibition at the visitor center, the benches on the way, the playground, and the tower. I was glad that there were water fountains and the restrooms were clear also. The trail was absolutely amazing with beautiful viewpoints! We had a blast!

Nice shaded park with playground and wooden bridge trails with different views of the heavily wooded lake. Birds, turtles, and alligators hide in plain view if you are relatively quiet. Great picnic spot, bring a blanket or use tables. $2.00 fee and lots of park rangers keeps park safe. Allergies may flare up during spring.

Cheap entrance fee. There are hiking trails and a boardwalk. Also an observation tower. Dogs apparently are allowed in some areas, though I didn't see any on the boardwalk. Canoes and kayaks are allowed, but I didn't see any out on the water. Plenty of birds about, including egrets and herons. Alligators in the water. Turtles too. Variety of trees. I spent about an hour here enjoying the scenery and exercise. Very serene. Nor crowded.

Never knew about this place until I stumbled upon it. It cost $2 dollars to get in and was well worth it. They have a paved trail with exercise stations and they have a long series of wooden walkways that go through the swamp. Was able to see fish, turtles, birds, alligators, and other wildlife. One of the alligators was easily over 5 feet and sunning only a few feet from the boardwalk. There are railings on the boardwalk to keep you safe. Definitely worth the $2 dollars.

This place is great for walking around and seeing gators!!!!!! There are little trails were you can walk on above the water and if you look hard enough you can spot some larger and smaller gators!! There is also a area where you can rent Canoes only $2 to get into the area!!

Quite impressive park with a number of outdoor activitie. We got there a little late around 3:00pm. The visitor center has an interesting and informative display. The boardwalk is well maintained with some great views. There are also paved & unpaved trails.

You can bike on a paved path. You can hike a nature trail. You can view vegetation, birds, and reptiles from a boardwalk. You can picnic. You can entertain kids at a playground. You can view exhibits in the visitor center. You can rent kayaks or canoes. You can climb an observation tower to see at canopy level. You can take a guided tour on Saturday or Sunday. All this for an entry fee of $2.00.

Perfect for Halloween with the dead or wintering shrubs. Very well done and maintained. The tower and boardwalk are a must. Please don’t speak loud, don’t run up and down it scares the wildlife!

The walking trails are well maintained. You can see the Hillsborough River, gators and all. Easy entry off Fletcher at the interstate. Modest entry fee.

We loved the boardwalk, saw several alligators, turtles, fish, and birds. The lake and swamp were both very cool and the mid afternoon rain shower completed the experience. For $2.00 buck per car, I was amazed at how large, diverse, well maintained this attraction is.

I love nature preserves and I was thrilled to find this. Very well taken care of and lots to see and a very accessible hike. We saw lots of wildlife, the visitor center was well done and very educational. Be pretty flat hike around the preserve was about a mile and a half, and a great respite from the hoopla and merchandising of Disney. At only two bucks you cannot get a better deal than this.

We go there bird watching almost every week. Fun and relaxing. The is a paved path way and a boardwalk. Aligators, wading birds and other perching birds.

If you are visiting This is a great and a must spot to visit and be with nature!
More likely you will encounter an alligator, a few birds an turtles. Family oriented park with lots of stuff to do

Visited while on vacation in Tampa. Lots of alligators. I didnt realize how many until we rented a canoe. The alligators are everywhere. We drifted into an inlet and were overwhelmed by the amount of alligators. They make a clicking noise when you get too close which was kind of scary. Have fun. But follow the rules and be careful!

My mom, daughter,and l came here to walk around and check it out. It is gorgeous! It is a massive Park with many nature trails and pavilions. It also has a really cool playground! Two dollars per car to enter and you can stay all day. Beautiful. Lots of bathrooms located throughout the park.

There are so many trails to explore at Lettuce Lake. And the boardwalk is a very leisurely, peaceful walk. It is very slippery after the rains, so watch your step!

The facilities are good, very clean. The interactive education building has a really neat exhibit for identifying animal tracks.

A great place for an early morning hike. The squirrels are a little too friendly, since people feed them, so if you sit at a picnic table and expect to eat lunch, one will probably sit next to you on the bench.

Unless you're into seeing all kinds of exotic leaves, you'll be disappointed. Very few flowers, very few butterflies, and little to photograph.

The park is easy to get around on all trails, has stops with workout multi-purpose benches, kid friendly, pet friendly, and of course great photo ops of nature and the wildlife!

Quiet due to migration of birds north, but still some remain year around like turtles, alligators and heron. Go in the morning before 9 for best viewing of wildlife.

This was a disappointment. I specifically went to this park for the boardwalk. When I arrived, I learned that the boardwalk was closed due to recent flooding. Of course this was outside of anyone’s control, but this did not allow me to enjoy the park to its fullest. The trails are well-maintained. Unfortunately, I did not see much wildlife, except for a few small birds and one turtle.

Long-legged fiends guard brown, green, blackened labyrinths; enlarged thorax straddle the wooden planks.

Warning stomp! Low rubble of wooden posts anchored in still water, but no movement and blank stares.

With the bend of an elbow uncoordinated locust, performed a bored shuffle.

Isolated ponds amongst lush green fields/islands/miniature lily pads; fertile lands, shifting in the mild current/moving valleys.
The waters swirl under the paddles of wadding beetles.

Arched entrances into a lush watery forest of weeping willows, spotted red/white oaks, bald cypress, and the few hollow giants.
Stubby knees/crooked fingers/pneumatophores protruded out of waters.

Black bodies shroud sunken dragons/wooden alligators. The sun wittingly pierces through the dark ether to reveal grooved, wooden corpses/decaying tree limbs, plant life/vegetation, and thick beds of leave and weeds.

Reasonably priced 0.5$ (half dollar sign).

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What a gem! This natural treasure nested in Tampa is an amazing way to unplug from the crowded streets and noisy traffic and be embraced by bird sounds and trees!
The grounds are always clean. The facilities are easily accessible regardless of where you are. Their playgrounds are shaded and a must for young ones!
Hop on the boardwalk to see a variety of birds, as well as small gators.
I saw people kayaking, so that reopened!!
It's a definite picnic destination: bring a blanket, and set up by the playground if you have little ones!
I love it more each time I go! Log in your miles as you walk or run the trails.

Beautiful trails/pathways and boardwalk. Well kept park. Wonderfully shady in most places. There are picnic and playground areas as well.

My husband and I went to Tampa to celebrate our birthdays and we stopped by Lettuce Lake Park on our last day before heading to the airport. We were not disappointed!!!! The scenery and the wildlife watch opportunities were incredible! We saw tons of turtles, birds, and even an alligator! The observation tower made for some great views and the boardwalk was very well maintained!

Well worth the $2/car and we'll be sure to visit again if we're ever back in Tampa!!!

Nice place. For 2 dollars you know pantan in your animals. Beautiful natural. Crocodiles, fishs and more

Totally enjoyed my visit to this park, My sister lives in the area and took me there. Had an awesome experience, trails and nature walk, very therapeutic also.

A beautiful slice of Mother Nature, and not too far from the city. A huge park with lots of offerings. Anything from picnics to open fields to play whatever game you would like. It has an observation tower that allows you to look for miles, and it is on the banks of the Hillsborough River.

Wife, three boys, and I were visiting Tampa and this place was highly recommended as a "place to learn and kill time." Boy did we do both!

It's just a $2 cash only admission per vehicle. You drive to the visitor center and then enter the boardwalk. The visitor center is the halfway point on the half-mile boardwalk.

The boardwalk is a great way to view the local wildlife. Many alligators (mostly young), water fowl, some fish, and other birds can be seen all from the safety of the elevated boardwalk. There is also a lookout tower to get an even better view of the beautiful Hillsborough River.

They do rent canoes but we did not arrive in time to do any of those. Plus, we wouldn't have any way. I don't feel like canoeing out into alligator infested waters all to say "oh, pretty" when it can easily be done from the boardwalk tower. But, if that's your thing, go for it! Just watch the times since they cut off the rentals early in the afternoon.

All in all it's a wonderful place to bring the family and learn about the local wildlife up close!

Had some free time before heading to the airport. $2 per car is well worth the stop. Don't rush take your time and look. You will be surprised at what you see. Only negative is the occasional plastoc bottle or aluminum can. Wish people would have more respect. A good. Way to relax and enjoy nature for an hour or two.

My father told me about this hidden gem a few weeks ago and I decided to make this place our family day out. We were so pleased with this exciting adventure that day!! I couldn't believe it was just $2 for the car load to get in. We were a family of 4, so what a great deal!!

My family & I love hiking in the natural trails. This was our theme park adventure growing up. Now days I try to take them out to a new areas as I venture off alone hiking for photography. Anyways, back to my review of Lettuce Lake Park.

The park is huge in size with a lot of activities from hiking to exercise elements on the trails to canoeing. I parked in the far right side near the boardwalk. We started on the boardwalk trail and walked around the park counter clock wise. The boardwalk was such a lovely walk looking at the water, river, gators, and wildlife. The observation tower was a lot of fun as well. It is worth making the trip up the tower to observe the beautiful area.

We stopped in the main office center to enjoy some A/C and explore the area. Here you will find a restroom, maps, artifacts, and bottle of water for sale at a $1 each. There is also a Park Ranger to answer any questions you may have. It was a pleasant break from the hike. There was also an awesome moment of watching birds feed from the bird feeder in the window. That was awesome!

My favorite moment was capturing the gator yawning on the log!! Please check out my photos to see the amazing moments.

I would highly recommend this park for a nice adventurous day of hiking, exploring, picnic options, parties, and a family day out.

This is a fantastic park, one of the best in Hillsborough county and definitely in Tampa. Park admission 2.00 per vehicle. They have several picnic pavilions (I believe 10+) , nature interpretative trails, a paved jogging/ bicycle trail and a fantastic boardwalk along the Holborn river.

The visitor center also is very informative and educational. Restrooms are also conveniently located.

One of my favorite parks in Tampa! Love the long boardwalk and paved path that runs around the park. There are also smaller trails as well. It's very serene and relaxing, and there is always tons of wildlife to see. Note: entrance fee is $2.

This park has some of the most beautiful scenery in the area; my sisters and I did a photo shoot there for another family member and the pictures came out perfectly.

We were hoping to see some Gators while in Florida and we saw a few while walking in the Park. It had a nice shady walking path and lots of things to do: kayaking, paddling boarding, canoeing, and pavilions to rent. A beautiful place with an observation tower to look out over the lake.

We are repeat visitors to Lettuce Lake and enjoy the park very much. The staff is helpful, the ARC (visitor's center) has bathrooms, and is an interesting, albeit a bit run down, location.

The boardwalks go in several directions, the park is so big you can go to a playground, have a picnic, rent a covered picnic area, go canoeing (for a fee), and walk on paved measured paths. Get a map before you set out on your adventures.

We've seen numerous varieties of birds, all sizes of sleeping or swimming alligators, a baby raccoon, the occasional snake, frogs, squirrels, and hummingbirds! I know, hummingbirds ARE birds but this was the first place I've ever seen them. If you are very still, sitting inside the ARC on one of the provided chairs, you may catch a glimpse of an extremely rapidly hovering hummingbird on the bush outside the window. They never stay for more than a moment or two but it's worth it to see them.

While having to make multiple trips to Tampa for Dr. Appts my better half and I accidentally discovered a peice of heaven in the midst of all the chaotic Tampa rush hour traffic... We decided to take a breather and see what the park had to offer before we took the dreaded drive back home. To my suprise Lettuce Lake has a lot to offer. They have guided tours, a nature walk with a look out tower, canoe and kayak rentals to explore the Hilsborough river. Pavillions, grills, play area for children, bike trails and they are also pet friendly. I love going to visit and practice my photography and do a bit of sketching to unwind while soaking up natures beauty. It is not expensive to get in and of course there are rental fees for the canoes... But so worth it. It is one of my favorite places to visit here in central Florida and it will be a place my family continues to enjoy for a long time

Lovely park with boardwalk, lookout tower, canoeing, picnic shelters, clean bathrooms, trails, and lake. Small fee to enter an fee for canoe rental..

You have to pay to get in. Then the boardwalk was closed on both ends so why am I paying for something that’s not operational? What a scam. Also the kids playgrounds was closed. No sign about all the closures, they don’t tell you at the entrance. Again what a scam!!!!! Stay away!!!

The wife had breast cancer, we went to Moffit for the obligatory 2nd opinion. Needless to say, a stressful road trip indeed. A friend suggested we go for some serenity. and we got it in spades. The hiking trail is wonderful, along the water most of the way. Old oaks draped with Spanish moss. Cool shade most of the way. Wildlife everywhere, owls, ibis, herons, hawks, ospreys, turtles, frogs. Walkways over the swamp, cypress trees growing in the water, water lilies, orchids, bromeliads. Many ops for nature pics, several serious amateur photogs present the one day we were there. An observation tower on the water gives a panoramic view worthy of souvenir pics. Think there is a very nominal parking fee, so small I don't remember. January 2018

This great little park is a perfect get-away for an afternoon/morning. The boardwalks are fun and good with kids - we saw a few alligators, frogs, snakes and big birds. The boardwalk to the canoes was floaded (July), but probably seasonal. There is a big lawn for play and a small playground also.

This park is worth the drive. Very modern shelter houses, playground equipment and restroom. Th trails are either natural or asphalt. All trails are under tree cover and very well marked. The boardwalk is the reason to come, however. It is over a half mile in length. The boardwalk can be easily traveled by wheelchairs and easy to maneuver strollers. Modern and smooth, it offers elevated views of mangrove and cypress wetlands and the resident wildlife. This park is a must see if you want to see native Florida with your partner, family. Etc.

We stopped by in lieu of Black Friday shopping and it was a very nice park to visit. The boardwalk brought us up close and personal with a number of birds who were conveniently located close to their signs so we could read about them while we looked for them. We did see one alligator sunning himself. The restrooms were well maintained and lots of people were using the park for picnics, parties, and recreation. Well worth the $2 cost of entry.

Superb experience yesterday walked the entire boardwalk and viewed alligators and Roseate Spoonbills and egrets nibbling away on the edge of the water. Wonderful wildlife viewing. Watched boaters launching their kayaks and paddle boats for a sunny trip.
Still only $2 a car to enter this large park. Great place for a family reunion or birthday picnic. Lots of paved area for runners or bicycling.

This is a nice county park with a tiny entrance fee. Often, you can see owls by the lake. The park has picnic tables, parking, and viewing towers.

We visit Lettuce Lake regularly. There are a number of trails including a paved loop shared-use trail, unpaved hiking trails, and a boardwalk. The scenery is varied consisting of wetlands and the Hillsborough River to oak and pine forests. This is a great place to see birds including hawks. The only downside is that it can be crowded at times particularly on the boardwalk. Also, noise from the many pavilions can reduce the ambiance of the place on some days. Overall it's a nice place to get into nature.

A great national park in the midst of the city. Unbelievable, how much wild life you can see, alligators, 1.000 of birds, flora and fauna so rich and colorful. Nice lake with a modern lookout tower. If you don't have the time to travel to the everglades, this is a alternative for you and your visitors in Tampa.

The boardwalks throughout this stunning park are perfect for viewing Florida's natural wonders. Walking them takes an hour and a half, depending on how long you linger at each beautiful turn. A tower allows a full view of Lettuce Lake. This is a peaceful, almost zen like experience.

From the moment you turn from Fletcher Avenue onto the meandering drive into this park, you are in a peaceful, natural place that is well travelled, yet undisturbed. Parking and facilities are clean and convenient. Covered picnic areas are well placed. The boardwalk is a great walk revealing trees, plants, birds, gators, turtles, insects, smells, sights, and sounds of natural peace and tranquility. The river and lake views are beautiful. Canoeing is an inviting opportunity. Great destination for quiet personal time, family time, group youth activities, or just taking some time to get lost in another world within minutes of a major interstate highway. The visitor center has a few informative displays and the docents are knowledgeable of the ecosystem they love and advocate to preserve.

Great Park, strongly recommend if you enjoy wildlife & nature! We saw lots of alligators, turtles, snakes and a variety of birds. Boardwalk is in great condition and has lots of small pavilions to enjoy lunch.

This is well worth the $2 per car admission fee. We did a slow walk from the visitor center around the various boardwalks. 800+ year old cyprus trees. Wildlife abounds. We started at the visitor center which is small but recommended.

We had an excellent visit to the park. The $2.00 fee is a real bargain for all that you can see and do. Be sure to experience the 3,500 foot long boardwalk and climbing tower! We saw lots of wildlife on our walk. Canoes and kayaks are also available to rent. The signage along the trail was very informative and helped to identify the flora and fauna we saw. Very accessible and the boardwalk is well maintained.

We visited this in the afternoon and enjoyed the shady boardwalk. The boardwalk is wide enough to accommodate strollers. We had great-grandchildren with us. ages 5 and 3. They enjoyed looking for the wildlife. They also enjoyed the tower. There is also a nice playground for them. There is no admission fee for anyone.

Long & we’ll maintained boardwalk with benches well spaced to see several views of water birds, alligators, herons, songbirds. Observation tower available for newer views.

Lettuce Lake Regional Park is a delightful way to spend a morning or afternoon strolling through the lush foliage. The boardwalks are well maintained and a great way to view wet areas and the lake. Be aware that there are gators in the lake so be alert if you venture down to the lake shore.

Our hotel was located near this park, and after passing it several days to get to other attractions, we decided to spend a morning here towards the end of our stay in Tampa. We anticipated a short visit, but it ended up turning into several hours and we returned that evening as well. We stayed on the boardwalk, but were able to spot so many alligators in the lake! The visitor center is currently under construction, but for the $2 admission fee, this attraction can't be beat!

This is one of the best parks I’ve ever been to!
Well maintained, lots trails for walking or biking plus an above water boardwalk with an observation tower. The swampy area along the lake is a hardwood forest-lots birds but you need to be quiet. Playground and small nature center for kids-dogs welcome-several different areas. To park

For an area to walk no matter how much you want you this has the area. If you want to bike ride, walk, run there is plenty of room where you will not be on top of everyone else.
We did not feel that there was a ton here to look at on the surface but if you take the time to look around, look deeper there is plenty here.

We stayed in a nearby hotel, the receptionist told is to visit the park. Entrance fee is 2 USD, renting a canoe is 25 USD for 4 hours. We went to a canoe trip, noone was around.. we saw several turtles, birds, beautiful flowers and an alligator. Awesome trip for a fair price.. do not moss it!

Today I visited LLP. It is my favorite Hillsborough County Park. They recently opened the right side of the boardwalk. Beautiful craftsmanship! The plush nature was on full display. They have not added benches to the newly remodeled section yet. It is a long walk out to the river. Easy for strollers and wheelchairs. It felt like walking in a sauna but it was worth it!
They will continue to finishing repairing some pavilions and then eventually probably start working on the old section.

Very neat regional park. Nice stop for fresh air on an afternoon. Lots of room for activities. Loved the boardwalk. Saw bunnies and two alligators, one was massive!! Very nicely taken care of, only bummer was a lot of areas were closed off due to flooding.

This park is a gem in suburban Tampa. Park is well maintained with accessible trails and boardwalks to enjoy beautiful views and fun encounters with wildlife like turtles, exotic birds and alligators.

This is a best place to go on a walk,jog or cycling. It has children play area , kayak spot and board walks to witness the beauty of nature with tall standing trees and different species of birds

This park has a raised boardwalk; up close looks at wood storks, roseate spoonbills, glossy and white ibises; an accommodating alligator, limpkins egrets and great blue herons. Also resident barred owl at end of boardwalk. Nice for photos, as birds are used to humans and stay fairly close.

We entered the park on foot, so there was no charge. It was so relaxing & interesting , we went twice as you never know what you will see each time. We would walk around 3 – 4 hours. As there is a large boardwalk with several exits to use, extending over the water, we saw lots of birds, a snake& several alligators. If I returned here, I would bring a pair of binoculars to spot the birds in the trees across the water. There is also a building centre to walk through that has information about the park. We enjoyed speaking to the staff member there who was very informative. This is a beautiful park & well maintained. We never saw any garbage or trash. Definitely worth it!

Wow! This is such a nice, beautiful, natural park. Easy climb on tower to top. The boardwalk was a nice stroll and so many pretty views. Cannot wait to go back. $2 per car entrance and worth much more!

We have been coming to this park since it first opened. Use to be an honor system to pay and enter. They now have an attendant. It is worth the $2 admission fee and much more. We saw an endless amount of living creatures on this visit. Raccoon, spiders, turtles, gators, birds, and more spiders. Great place for all ages.

It was a little too chilly for an early start at Adventure Island, so we decided to take a walk here and were delighted. Well constructed boardwalks lead through a beautiful forest, with lots of pretty birds, turtles and alligators. We were a bit saddened that some people find it necessary to litter in a place like this (or anyplace for that matter). Clearly they do a nice job of maintaining the park, but litterbugs can be a persistent invasive species.

The park has a $2.00 admission fee but a place to decompress in busy Tampa. Playground if you have kids and picnic areas. Walking trails available. Unfortunately the Park Building is closed for renovations.It has nature traila and a paved easy bike trail about 1.25 miles.Lots of nature sitings to take in so have your camera ready.

Lettuce lake is a nice park. You can walk on the board walks, with the observation tower, kids can play at the playground, organize picnic, or rent a canoe. The best I had was about 8 alligators spotted in an hour. I believe when they grow too large, they relocate them from the park, though.

Relaxing atmosphere, great for picnics or BBQs, this is a little gem of a place. Take an afternoon to walk the boardwalk, loads of bird life to see and brightly coloured butterflies. The turtles bathe in the sun while the gators plough the lake. Take a kayak for a paddle - book on arrival at the little entrance lodge - or take a gentle bike ride round the bike path (great for kids - you need to bring your own bike though). Water level is low at the moment but still a great relaxing place to go to get away from it all.

We visited Lettuce Lake Park because of the reviews and to see an alligator. We were not disappointed! We saw lots of wildlife, including a gator!!!

There is a wonderful boardwalk that goes along Lettuce Lake. Also a great little observation tower. The swampy area is beautiful. The critters are terrific. Much of the boardwalk was destroyed by the hurricanes and is being rebuilt. We cannot wait to return after it is finished.

The entry fee is only $2 per car. A bargain!!!

On our recent visit to Tampa, we went to Lettuce Lake Park. This is a beautiful peaceful area for a walk along the lake and Hillsborough River. The boardwalk makes it easy to walk and enjoy the area. We did see one alligator and many birds. The entrance fee of $2.00 is very fair and reasonable for this nice park.

Was staying in hotel just down the street and was looking for a good place to run. Discovered Lettuce Lake Park - had to pay the $2 fee to enter and park, but they have a really nice paved walking/jogging trail that is 1.25 miles long and almost entirely in the shade (which was a blessing on a July day in Tampa!). There is also a dirt nature trail that you can run on. The boardwalk has signs indicating jogging is not allowed. I did take a quick stroll on the boardwalk and climbed the little tower to get a good view of the water. Saw some cool wildlife including a little alligator. Neat little find for a nice quick run!

Pretty place. Nice boardwalk along the lake, Saw a few adult gators crossing the lake and several Baby gators near the boardwalk.

Came to the park spur of the moment. Decided to kayak. Attendant assigned me kayak #10 which when I arrived at the dock could not be unchained due to chain's lock being so rusted out. A staff member came after I called the booth, and with brute force he opened lock. He was about to leave when I pointed out the kayak's hull was full of water. Only then did he release another kayak for me to use.

When I returned the key and paddle to the registration booth at the entrance another attendant named Sarah, who referred to herself as the highest ranking park employee on duty, refused to give me a partial refund, lying at first saying it was impossible to issue a refund. But she did describe a refund procedure that was so elaborate, if true, should have the entire operation here under investigation by the state of Florida for fraud. She also looked at me reproachingly for not being willing to get ripped off. On top of that, she also had the nerve to express her disapproval that I had used my own life vest. No one's paying her for her personal opinions. What's more, I had to pry the name of the manager out of her. An attitude check is in order, and a suspension. I may end up having to contact my bank to dispute the charge. My time on the lake was cut short thanks to their sloppy maintenance. That lock should have been replaced long ago. You shouldn't need to be a brawny male to open the lock, and your employees should be checking on the kayaks daily to make sure they are ready to go, not so heavy with water inside the hull that any adult can't get them into the water. With that much water inside the hull it probably would have sunk. It was as if the kayak had been submerged.

On a positive note, one employee who responded did point out that I had dropped my phone. So thank you for that. That and the clean restrooms earned an additional star. The lake is peaceful and scenic so in that regard a good experience. But as for customer service? Time to clean house. A few dishonest, nervy, and lazy staff.

This Has to be one of the prettiest places on the Hillsboro River Lots of shade lots of trees in the fishing is great I’ve had many good times out there fishing with my buddies it’s worth going

We saw an alligator! Only $2 per carload. Very relaxing and beautiful. Teenage children really enjoyed it.

In an area with little green spaces, this park is a treasure. Like everything else you do in FL, do it in winter. the summer humidity is torture if you are not a native. it will suck the life out of you.

Recently, a friend and I hiked and photographed in Lettuce Lake Regional Park. This was my first visit. My friend has been there before. There is a $2.00 per car charge which is reasonable. We hiked on the easy boardwalk. I clocked about 3 1/2 miles on my iPhone app. The wildlife was somewhat quiet, but we did see a Little Green Heron, many Limpkins, many spiders and some pretty wildflowers. There is a lot of beautiful wetlands in Lettuce Lake Park. There are also some nice cypress stands. One of the boardwalks is quite long and leads one past a nice tower where one can get a good look at the Hillsborough River. I look forward to returning to Lettuce Lake.

Beautiful trails and walks through the woods - very relaxing. The boats were not being rented due to potential storms coming in the afternoon. I would advise going early in the morning if you intend to rent a boat. That would have been worth it.

Easy access travel to this well-marked location. Well- maintained paved as well as worn trails. If biking, hiking and/ or bird-watching is not your goal, then bring a picnic lunch for the many shelters or tables. Plenty of fields for pickup sporting events, beach volleyball, or just play on the various children's playground areas. Two dollars goes a LONG way here!

We went to Eureka Springs for a walk, and a local suggested this park. It was well worth it. Lots of nice trails, pebbles, paved or boardwalks. There are maps frequently to let you know your location and progress. Beautiful, relaxing day walking these trails.

I never knew this park existed in Tampa even though I drove by it several times. It only costs $2 for the carload. There are tons of picnic pavilions, a huge playground for the kids. A nice waking trail. The best thing about the park is the boardwalk. It takes you along the edge of the lake. Here you can see all kinds of fauna and animals. Gators, turtles, birds, huge snails, etc. they also have canoe rentals. This is a great place to take the family. Put away the cell phones and enjoy nature.

Lots of pathways and places to explore, very nice nature walks. I think there is other things to do like canoeing. Great alligator viewing.

If you are interested in an eye pleasing river trip with loads of alligators of all sizes and exotic migrating birds this paddle in the wilds of central Florida is one of the best. You can bring your own canoe or kayak or rent for $25. After you have paddled upstream for a few hundred yards you will feel like you have entered one of the most remote tropical rivers in Florida and you are only minutes away from a cosmopolitan region of Florida's west coast. Bring a camera, because your friends will not believe the amount of wild life you encountered on your trip up the Hillsborough River.

What an unexpected surprise! We wanted to do a walk and went on the boardwalk which is built around the marshland. Lots of wildlife although you do need to be patient to see it. We saw a baby alligator, different size turtles, roseate spoonbill, a bird like a cormorant but smaller (forgot the name, an egret, ducks and some fish. Is really quite a wonderful place

I truly love this place. You can picnic, go on trails, canoe, bird watch and just simply relax. It is a nice time for a pleasant day.

We had a great time walking along the boardwalk and viewing all the nature that Florida has to offer. Lots of picnicking places and all types of walking trails.

It was only $2 to enter and park (up to 8 people). Expect to spend at least 2 or 3 hours here walking the boardwalk and spending time at the observation tower, taking pictures if you like, and exploring one or more trails. You really need to look for most of the wildlife, because they naturally blend in with the surroundings. The park seems to close at different times throughout the year, so you’ll need to take that into account when planning to visit. Canoe rentals are available, although I did not explore that option this visit. Currently ranked in the Top 10 most popular things to do in Tampa.

Lettuce Lake is a great place to go birding. Its trails and boardwalks are well maintained, and it is a relaxing way to spend some time getting closer to nature. There is plenty of parking and a small nature center with bird feeders that attract a variety of feathered friends.

nice boardwalk and observation tower. boating with canoe or kayak available be sure to let the attendant at the enterance booth know so you can set that up right away and avoid having to drive back up to do that. for a small fee you can boat for 4 hours on the lovely peaceful river.

great place for family trips, there are several trails along the edge of the lake, very easy to walk, you can see alligators, turtles, birds and fishes.

Walking the boardwalks among the cypress and observing birds was a good experience. A good way to experience some nature that would otherwise not be available without a swamp boat. Not an "exciting" place for kids, but educational..

We love to wander the boardwalks in the this scenic park. It is so peaceful and beautiful, you wouldn't believe how close you are to the city. We've always spotted at least one alligator on our visits.

Beautiful park with lots of wildlife. Very clean and well maintained. Staff is very friendly. Boardwalks allow remote access and still preserves the nature around you. Wonderful place to take the family.

We are staying in the area and saw the sign Lettuce Lake Park needed to kill some time so went in, it was amazing so much to see nature wise! Cost $2.00 per car, you can rent canoes and kayaks, they have areas to grill, play ground and a beautiful boardwalk to just take your time and relax seeing mother nature! Best $2.00 we ever spent. Also there is a welcome center that give lots of about the park👍

just a tremendous and serene venue--beautiful park

-if you rent their kayaks/canoes--no problem
if you take your own, be prepared for long hike down to water

better option is university park just across bridge

here's a suggestion--how about a time limited drop off down by water--trail is plenty wide and not steep

more accessible to the independent kayaker/canoist--what a novel concept

I find a lot of tranquility and peace in this park, I bring all my visitors to tour it, they all find it fantastic and enjoy the walk on the trails and on the woodwork over the swamp, it is the perfect spot for wonderful nature pictures, especially if we happen to encounter a lot of bids, alligators, and turtles. They have a little museum/exhibit pretty well done. The entrance is $2 per car.

Nice place to stroll and return to nature with nice wooden path ways and lovely scenery. Very educational for children and quiet and serene.

Lettuce lake offers a not of easy trails that will take you to many different nesting areas. The paths are easy to maneuver and for the most part handicap accessible

This park is okay but not great. I did actually see two gators, which made my walk a little more interesting. The Cypress Dome is a bit of a bust. You think you are going to see this nice round group of trees, but at the end of the trail there is nothing but more of the same trees and swamp!

My son and I came here to get some steps in at a peaceful location before heading to the airport to go home. It has nice boardwalks and pathed paths.

Visited the park today with our friend from Australia to look for gators. Went along the boardwalk and only found on little guy sunning on a log. Great park. Enjoyed it even in the summer heat.

This is a great walk on a boardwalk through the beautiful Florida landscape. Great views and relaxing walk with gator views and beautiful Florida nature. Must see if you’re visiting in Tampa and like to explore.

What a lovely park! The trails are shady and peaceful. The boardwalk is an easy walk out to the Hillsborough River and the lake where many varieties of birds can be observed. There are tables for picnicking and a playground for the kiddies.

Love going here. So close to the city, but feels far away. Peaceful, lovely, lots of native plants and animals and easy walks on boardwalks. Nice observation tower offers views of the river, alligators, spoonbills, etc. So many chances for great photos!

The park is a nice place to stroll the boardwalk and look at God's creation with your grandchildren. You can see birds, turtles, gators, etc. along the boardwalk and trails.

This is a great place for families and people of all ages. The boardwalk is an easy stroll to see all sorts of wildlife. We came across gators, a Florida softshell turtle and countless birds. Lots of great spots for viewing this wildlife especially at the tower. They even have a playground for kids and a visitor center. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!

I live in Tampa and I go to Lettuce Lake often, Winter is not the best time to go, as the foliage is not as good and the water recedes in a lot of places. Spring and Summer are the best times. I can't believe you can see an attraction like this for only $2 entry fee. The hawk tower is great and worth the climb, Make sure to look under it. There are always gators there. If you're a birder, you'll love this place. I haven't done it, but you can rent a kayak if you want to go out in the middle of the water with the big gators.

Would have been better if we pushed the kids in the stroller because the little ones lost their interest, but us adults loved it! Only $2 to park. We saw a couple water moccasins, and alligators. And the weather was heavenly in February under all those trees. Really Glad we went.

What a great spot that is right in the city. I would give it 5 stars except for the $2 admission charge which is just an annoyance

This is a lovely park and easy to reach from Tampa in about 25 minutes.

Entry with taking was just two dollars. At the moment they are replacing some of the boardwalk. Still lots to see - birds and even a small alligator.

There is a $2 entry fee. There is lots of parking. You can walk, run or ride a bike(some places) on their trails. Some trails are boardwalks built over the swamps where you can get a great view of the swampland. Trails seem to all make a circle, so it looks like you really can't get too lost there. Lettuce Lake is actually a horseshoe lake that is still connected to the Hillsborough River. Much of the area is a floodplain for the river. You can rent canoes and kayaks their for a reasonable price. Some fishing is allowed. You will see birds. Their is a small medium sized Visitor Center and within in it an Audubon Resource Center at Lettuce Lake Park, also known as ARC in the Park which is operated by the Tampa Audubon Society. I'm not a birder, but there must be a variety of sought after birds judging by the many people who had what seemed like 2 foot long telephoto cameras having a watching in awe at the birds. I saw squirrels, many different kinds of birds. There are reptiles such as turtles, snakes in the area too. many visitors commented on seeing Alligators there, although I did not see one on this visit...bummer, I know. There are multiple bathrooms around the park. There are a couple of playgrounds for the kids. There are multiple picnic shelters. This would be a great place for a picnic for any group.

This nature preserve has some of the best board walks and interpretative trails we've ever experience. If you like alligators, water fowl, and small critters---DO NOT MISS it !!

Lettuce Lake Regional Park is a great way to immerse yourself in nature without leaving the city. The boardwalk winds through the wetlands with views of the lake. A great variety of birds. The observation tower gave us beautiful views of the lake. We saw alligators swimming and heard owls talking to one another. The playground is a perfect place to let the littles run off some energy. The nature center has an informative displays and clean restrooms. Pack a lunch and spend the day!!! Kayaks and canoes are available to rent but did I mention the alligators??

What a beautiful and relaxing place to go. There is a fair amount of shade, multiple parking lots, playgrounds, and bathroom facilities. There are also pavilions with grills - perfect for hanging out for a BBQ with family and friends. There is also an extensive boardwalk and you can view gators, turtles, and a variety of birds including owls.

There is beautiful greenery here. You see lots of birds and other natural wild life. I believe we paid $2 to enter the park. Lots of walking and it was very hot and muggy. You have to be conscious of your surroundings because there are snakes in trees and various bugs.

Lettuce park this paved for the most part. It have signs with pictures to tell you the different types of trees and plants. The signage is one of if not the best in the local parks.

Lettuce Park is not as pretty as some of the other parks but it’s pretty nice. There’s plentiful parking at numerous areas throughout the park.

The boardwalk is handicap assessable. The view from various points out the boardwalk is very nice. One of my favorites in Florida so far.

It’s a very easy park to walk through.

I stopped here one evening while staying at the Hampton Inn just up the road based on Tripadvisor reviews and it was a beautiful park. Admission is $2 per vehicle and there is a visitors center, picnic shelters, a paved recreation trail as well as several thousand feet of boardwalk out over the swamp to the river. The boardwalk is very cool with great views of the swamps and plenty of birds to view. There is an observation tower along the Hillsborough River as well S a canoe/kayak launch and canoe rentals. The park closes at 7 pm and the boardwalk closes a half hour earlier. The walk was spectacular and gives you a good view of the ecosystem. Just off a busy highway you feel as if you are miles away in the wilderness. Definitely worth a visit and bring your camera

This is a wonderful park with many boardwalks and plenty of wildlife to observe. We went on a fairly cool day, and still were able to see turtles and an alligator. Lots of birds around, including herons, ibis, ospreys, and owls. There are picnic areas, a playground, and canoe rental. We did not see many people on the water. The cost is only $2, for parking. No entrance fee! If you are looking for a place away from noises and crowded beaches, come here for some peace and quiet.

Beautiful place! We were staying at a hotel nearby and my son is into birding, so we thought we'd stop in. $2 parking fee gets you all dayin the park. It's a wide expanse but the accessible trails work in a circle, off multiple parking lots so you can walk most of it easily. There is a long extended boardwalk so as to stay away from the flora/fauna and gators but the lake is accessible (kayaks/canoes) if you want to go that route. Definitely visit the indoor exhibit with dozens of (stuffed) locals, and make your way out on the boardwalk to the tower whih offer great views (stairs only, 3-4 flights). There are open fields and playground options for kids to play too.

Nice boardwalks along the river. A lot to see and photograph. Been several times and it's never been crowded.

The trails throughout the park are extremely well kept up and fun to walk through. The boardwalk viewing areas are fun to visit and if you have time to take a picnic lunch more the better. You didn't used to have to pay a fee to go in but now you do. That may stop some people but hopefully the fee is reasonable. Very secluded and fun to visit.

This is such a beautiful park with lots to do. they have alot of shelters to rent or a few that are first come first serve.

We love this place. Been visiting here several times and walk with our dogs and taking photos. Relaxing place to hang out. Great for family with kids and enjoy picnic.

We came to see alligators. Well, this day they didn't want to be seen but we had a wonderful time looking for them. We did see lots of birds, turtles, water moccasins and enjoyed ourselves. It costs $2 to enter the park and we spent 3 hours on the boardwalk. What a deal! It's easy walking, lots of benches and shade, we saw elderly people, families and parents pushing strollers. No bikes are allowed on the boardwalk, even for little ones.

This is a vary nice trail on a boardwalk thru the park. We even spotted 2 alligators and numerous turtles. The signs were a little confusing though and it was not a circular route.

If TripAdvisor had an award for the best boardwalk, Lettuce Lake Park would definitely be a candidate. I can’t remember the last time I walked such a long, varied, and enjoyable boardwalk. Here is was through a marshy area in the northern part of Tampa. There weren’t even bugs or mosquitoes. At one point, we were able to climb a tall look-out tower for beautiful views of the lake below.

Speaking of views, we saw countless birds, including egrets, irises, wood ducks, and batman-inspired anhingas. We saw a turtle with an uncanny resemblance to Mitch McConnell, and no less than three alligators, two of which were within ten feet of the platform. Even down in Sanibel Island, I didn't see reptiles in this quantity.

Admission was a just few dollars. Yes, I could hear automobile traffic in the distance, but I succeeded in blocking it out to focus on the nature that surrounded me.

Great getaway, not too crowded, peaceful, and well worth the price.

Great place for families and just your self ... water and trails ..on the the edge of a city but you can see all kunds of wild life ..un spoiled

We spent the entire day here. We enjoyed the massive boardwalk which traverses marshlands and areas adjacent to ponds. We spotted numerous birds and spotted a few varieties of fish and other aquatic lifeforms. The boardwalk and park in general are very well maintained. We took a short hike on the trails which go through wooded areas as well as wet lands. We had a very nice day here.

i have used the high ropes course at this park several times for corporate leadership events. excellent venue and amazing staff.

I had a day to spend in Tampa prior to starting a week on business. I looked up best things to do in Tampa and this came up. I have kayaked in the UK so wanted to experience it in Florida. I walked from USF - no car and not sure buses went that way. That meant entrance was free for me. ($2 per car). The rangers hut was at entrance-she was friendly, but wish she'd given me a map. A maze of car parks/roads followed, with minimal signposting. Found an info board which i hoped had a map-no, just warnings about fires, info about plants and advert saying to hire canoe/kayak call this number or go to rangers. I found visitors centre (displays of what animals you might see, history of park, wildlife sightings board)-looks closed but was open. Unstaffed. Had leaflets with map.did half the board walk-saw lots of birds (herons, egerts, commerants, eagles soaring). Found kayaks/launch area. Had a phone number for kayak hire -that was only info. Made my way to rangers office (back at entrance)-success! $25 for 4 hours (or 3.5 as have to be off water two hours before park closing). Signed disclaimer, left driving license as deposit, given life vest, paddle, key to unlock kayak and whistle. Walked back to launch area. Have to get kayaks down from rack and into water yourself-no problem for me, but some people might struggle to do this themselves.
Really interesting area to kayak, open water but can go between trees/underneath board walk. Dozens of birds, at least 8 different species. Two sunbathing turtles, a baby gator. Then I met the big one in pic. Truly amazing. If visiting leave plenty of time to kayak/canoe, just don't forgot to request it at rangers station at entrance!

Wow were we ever impressed by this park. The entrance fee is $2 but this park is very well worth the price. It is well Maintenanced and had a lot of paths, shelters and a playground. We walked the Boardwalk - they were out of maps which is my only gripe and we weren't sure which route to take. The Boardwalk is up above the ground and wanders through the water and trees. Scenery is lovely, many times it opens up a nice water view. This is also the first place we have spotted alligators since moving to Florida! We saw two that day. Also lots of other wildlife - many turtles, all kinds of birds, lizards, rabbit, squirrels. It was a wonderful nature park, very much enjoyed every minute. Would be a great pace to bring a picnic and spend a relaxing afternoon there. We hope to visit again soon!

The $2.00 entry price is the best bargain you will get in Tampa. This is the most beautiful and enchanting place I have ever seen. It is very restorative and stress relieving. It's location, close to the university, interstate, retail and dining is an additional plus.

great place to meet friend and just have fun, lots of place to walk and set if your a mind to and places to bring your lunch or dinner,

The board walk trails provide a good view of the swamp and ox bow lake in the park. Lots of wild life can be seen from the elevated walkway and observation tower.

I love the place is such a quiet and relax time. I recommend it. I saw a lot of photo sessions looks like is very well known for photos. Im a photographer I hope to take some photos soon.

Great spot to take your significant other for a walk around the lake on the miles of wooden bridges. We typically see alligators and numerous birds. The walking path is quite peaceful...where as the park area can sometimes be filled with school kids, etc. Great spot to chill, take a date, etc.

Parking was super cheap so we didn't feel compelled to spend the whole day there. Couple nice trails, a large wooden tower for viewing, and a canoe rental spot. We saw an alligator, birds and turtles!

We were killing a few hours before ending a holiday and heading to the airport. This was a nice way to kill a few hours. There are a number of trails- some on boardwalks, some on pavement, and some on dirt. You can choose what surface you want to be on. If you are looking for wildlife, stick to the boardwalks. We saw many birds, and even some alligators. There was the possibility of renting some canoes too, but we did not do that. The boardwalks are very well kept up, but it would have been a bit nicer to have some signs. We did not have a map, and there was none available at the visitors centre. No one was there to speak to. There might have been maps at the entrance where we paid our $2, but we did not think of asking there. We ended up taking a photo of a map in the visitors centre and using that. There was mention of a giant cedar somewhere in the grove, but we could not find it. Perhaps a trail does not go near it. As we are very interested in old growth trees, it would have been nice to see it. Overall a good time was had here.

This park offers water activities, hiking, bird watching, and pavilions to grill. It only costs $2 to enter the park. Th grounds are very well maintained including the restrooms facilities. i will return again.

This is a beautiful Florida Park. It is clean, well maintained, and easy to get to. There is plenty of parking. Admission is just $2.00. There is a nice, paved bike/walking trail. There is a beautiful boardwalk through the swamp and around a portion of the lake. Plan to spend a couple of hours and bring a camera. Love the view from the tower. Lots of benches to sit and rest. Water fountains and restrooms available.

Families young and old can enjoy this park. There are nature walks, bike paths, and playgrounds with pavilions and lots of room to lay out a blanket or play. You can have birthday parties here or rent a canoe and enjoy the sights of the Hillsborough River. The park does cost $2 to get in and there are plenty of places to park. The restrooms around the park a pretty clean for being in nature. The board walk is a lot of fun especially if the critters are out to enjoy the sun. On our trip today we saw 5 gators, but there have been other times where I have gone and seen nothing. Either way, this is a wonderful park and you can't make the wildlife come out if they don't want to. If you go enough times and spend enough time there, you will see plenty.

My family loves walking this park with the dogs and going up in the tower (without the dogs). Wonderful area to get out in nature and relax.

Tranquil park with good nature views, photo-ops. Boardwalk provides easy walking/viewing and observation tower offers a good climb rewarded with long-distance views.

We love to go to this place with our dog; however, dogs are no longer allowed on the wooden trials that lead out to the water (they are only allowed on the paved areas)

I didn't know that much about this park and didn't expect it to be really special, but I was totally wrong! The boardwalk is fantastic!!! Lots of beautiful spots and way more animals than I expected. Take an hour (or 2) and go enjoy this wonderful park!