Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Top ways to experience Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and nearby attractions
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Address
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Best nearby
Restaurants
108 within 3 miles
Attractions
189 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- The PidgeWayne, New Jersey609 contributionsWonderful walking trails and beautiful birds of preyAdmission is refreshingly free and there is a lot to do here if you like exploring walking trails. An unexpected bonus was the aviary with birds of prey exhibited. A great way to spend a couple hours on a nice afternoon.Visited November 2023Traveled soloWritten November 12, 2023
- shugarsharDauphin Island, Alabama251 contributionsCampedMy husband and I actually living like vagabonds w a tent and a mini van wandering around w no responsibilities!!!! (Off work one week) So we decided to stay here and camp for the night due to its proximity to some area attractions we wanted to visit. The camp ground was well maintained and very inexpensive. And the bath houses were so CLEAN!!!! Would stay again!Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 18, 2023
- Jaygarf14Cincinnati, Ohio6 contributionsBeautiful afternoon tram tourGreat tram tour of the Boyd Hill Preserve. Very knowledgeable guide who pointed out turtle nesting places, native plants, nesting places, on the scenic route. History of the park was also included. There are hiking trails and a very nice gift shop too. I will be back to to walk the trails!Visited January 2024Traveled with friendsWritten January 31, 2024
- Schneider231136 contributionsNice parkNice park for a walk. Flat terrain. Paths could be marked better. Had an aviary with injured birds including a bald eagle. $3 admission. We went in Feb saw a few birdsVisited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
406 reviews
Excellent
277
Very good
100
Average
23
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Stephen S
1 contribution
Aug 2022 • Couples
It was way too hot this trip to enjoy doing anything outside . Heat index miserable . The restaurants we ate at were way overpriced with mediocre food as well. Labor issues seem to be the norm everywhere. Won't come back in the hit summer months.
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ren1
Munich, Germany60 contributions
Jul 2022
My mother and I visited this beautiful nature preserve and were lucky enough to have a guided tram tour around the entire park. They offer 2 tours per day. Thank you to all of the friendly staff and volunteers and to our tour guide, Dave. Meeting "Honey the Bunny" in the welcome center was a real treat, too. She is so beautiful and friendly. The volunteers also fed the owls, other birds of prey and vultures while we were there, which was exciting and educational.
We enjoyed our morning at Boyd Hill very much and would recommend this to anyone visiting the St. Petersburg area.
We enjoyed our morning at Boyd Hill very much and would recommend this to anyone visiting the St. Petersburg area.
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,478 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a 245-acre protected area located on the south side of St. Petersburg, Florida, at 1101 Country Club Way South, on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Once the home of a zoo and botanical garden, it has evolved over the decades into a mosaic of natural habitats and wild tropical landscapes. From the outer Main Trail, there are more than three miles of five side trails or loops that showcase specific habitats through a variety of ecosystems--the Swamp Woodlands Trail, the Willow Marsh Trail, the Lake Maggiore Trail, the Scrub Island Trail and the Pine Flatwoods Trail. Enjoy the amusing giant armadillos along the Wax Myrtle Pond. In addition, there is a playground for children, picnic areas for the entire family, a paved bicycle path that makes a loop through the park, a wild bird aviary and many metal statues built by the late Paul Eppling, a longtime resident of St. Petersburg. From a grassy island on Lake Maggiore, you can see downtown St. Petersburg. But, don't worry, it is unlikely that you'll confront any alligators.
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane K
Venice, FL4,583 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Typically nature trails in this general area don’t have an entrance fee - so we were surprised when we were charged $3 each to enter. The staff weren’t that helpful - mostly just talking amongst themselves. We decided to walk the Main trail which was noted on the map to be .82 miles anda circular trail. There was a problem in that trail so we needed to turn around to get to the exit. For portions of the trail we were just walking on a dirt road. Not the most scenic.
Written December 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Pidge
Wayne, NJ609 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Admission is refreshingly free and there is a lot to do here if you like exploring walking trails. An unexpected bonus was the aviary with birds of prey exhibited. A great way to spend a couple hours on a nice afternoon.
Written November 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
387indy
Coral Springs, FL4,372 contributions
Aug 2020
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is 245 acres in the middle of the city. I had a condo for 10 yrs. before I went. It has miles of trails, most important is the environmental center, which takes care of some injured birds of prey. The center has displays of native Florida. Besides the many birds, they have wildlife: gopher tortoises, frogs, snakes, alligators, crabs, muscovy duck.
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoneSchwenker
Ramstein, Germany24 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Great park with lots to see. Birds of prey exhibit with eagles, hawks, owls, and vultures. If your lucky you will see alligators in the wild. Some nice trails. Pretty cool art made of recycled metal. 3 dollars a person to enter.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles W
Tampa, Florida6 contributions
Nov 2019 • Friends
Great park stuck close to down town St Pete. Been here many times and I'm always amazed at the amount of wildlife that you see.
Went in November because I had some friends that jokingly didn't believe there were alligators in Florida because they have been here many times and never seen them. 10 minutes at Boyd Hill and they saw them.
Went in November because I had some friends that jokingly didn't believe there were alligators in Florida because they have been here many times and never seen them. 10 minutes at Boyd Hill and they saw them.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daanddo
Lehigh Valley, PA873 contributions
Feb 2020
If you enjoy nature, plants and wildlife, take the time to explore Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. I do not believe you will be disappointed. The new elevated boardwalk through the wetlands allowed us to keep our feet dry and see many unusual native plants, and along the trails we saw not only a plethora of native (and introduced) wildflowers, shrubs and tree's, but also an alligator, a white heron and turtle burrows (no turtles out for a jaunt when we were there). The preserve is 245 acres, the trails are well maintained and it was wonderful to se so many school children being introduced to the beauty of the natural world. Since the preserve is so large, it is also easy to find quiet paths, were you cannot hear a sound except nature.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DiverDiana
Florida19 contributions
Apr 2020 • Couples
My husband and I are members of Boyd Hill so we make the most of it by visiting several times per week. The closer you look the more you will see. From amazing macro photography opportunities to repeated sightings of hawks and eagles. We’ve seen mother gators brood eggs and raise babies. Today was a real high point as we watched two otters play in a muddy creek and catch several fish. At the end of your hike you can take a break to visit the rescued raptors exhibit!
Written April 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are bikes allowed here?
Written February 22, 2021
Yes. Some of the rehab birds are captive but watch for hawks and other birds of prey as well as our usual flight crew of birds. I saw an alligator over ther (small one) who is the right size and age to be active in his foraging.
Written March 4, 2018
My mom and I will be visiting St Petersburg in late April, so will there be any wildlife or much of nature to see during that time of the month?
Written March 3, 2018
Boyd Hill is great (read my review), but Sawgrass Lake (also in St. Petersburg is even better. Check it out!
Written March 12, 2018
Como puedo reservar el tour en bicicleta? Alguna direcciĂłn? Es para. Todas las edades?
Written March 7, 2017
You can bring a bike. Or take the tram tour. Staff can provide directions and a map. All ages will enjoy the park.
Written March 31, 2018
Como puedo reservar el tour en bicicleta? Alguna direcciĂłn? Es para. Todas las edades?
Written March 7, 2017
No dogs allowed. And wouldn't be fair to the dogs or the resident critters.
There are bicycles allowed. So if you're planning some time away from your dog, you can make it a bike outing, too. Enjoy.
Written March 22, 2015
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