Tampa Hiking Meetup Group

### Lettuce Lake Park - January 24th, 2026

Fee: $2.00 per car

Distance: Hammock Trail 1.2 miles. and the Boardwalk trail 1.8 mile loop
Address: 6920 East Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL 33637

Meeting Place: The parking area near the Visitor’s Center. Meet at 9:00 am, hike starts at 9:05 am. Please be on time if you want to hike with the group.

Dogs: Must be on a leash no longer than six feet. Pets not permitted on the Boardwalk. Part of the hike is on the boardwalk.

Lettuce Lake Park consists of 240 acres of stunning Florida land that includes parts of the Hillsborough River. Plenty of opportunities for spotting wildlife including birds, bunnies, and alligators.

The park features large playgrounds and picnic areas. You can choose between the 1.25 mile paved exercise trail or the 1/2 mile boardwalk (we will be doing both.). Part of the boardwalk has an observation tower that offers some stunning views of the Hillsborough River. Hiking both trails is about 1.8 miles.

The Audubon Center is an interpretive nature center open Fri-Sun 12-5. Stop here to learn more about habitats and their inhabitants along the Hillsborough River. They also have a map of the park available in their interpretive brochure.

What to Bring:

• Water
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Bug spray (just in case!)
• A hat or sunglasses

# 🌿 Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve – Horseshoe Crab Hustle Trail

📅 Saturday, January 31st
⏰ 3:00 PM
📍 Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve
📏 Distance: ~1.7 miles
⬆️ Terrain: Flat, primitive trail (Class C)
🐾 Dogs: Allowed, leashed
💲 Parking: Very limited — see note below
Join us for an afternoon hike at Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve, one of Hillsborough County’s most beautiful coastal habitats. We’ll be hiking the Horseshoe Crab Hustle trail, a short and scenic loop featuring wetlands, mangroves, and open coastal views. It’s a great late-day hike and perfect for all experience levels.

### 🌱 What to Expect

• A short, relaxed 1.7-mile hike
• Primitive trail with uneven and sometimes wet areas
• Mix of sun, open views, and coastal wildlife
• Laid-back, friendly group vibe

### 🎒 What to Bring

• Water
• Closed-toe shoes
• Sun protection
• Bug spray
• Optional: camera/binoculars

### 🚗 Important Parking Note

Parking at Cockroach Bay is very limited, so carpooling is highly recommended.
If you are riding with someone else, you do NOT need to RSVP for your guest — only the driver should RSVP.

### 📍 Where We’re Meeting

We’ll meet near the small parking area by the boat ramp at the west end of Cockroach Bay Rd. Please arrive a few minutes before 3:00 PM so we can start together.
Come enjoy a beautiful coastal preserve, fresh air, and good company as we check off another trail!