Sawgrass Lake Park

St Petersburg, Florida: Nestled within the densest populated county in Florida, this Pinellas County park offers visitors a chance to hike through on of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast. Sawgrass Lake Park is a hidden oasis in the hustle and bustle of busy St Petersburg.

At 400 acres, Sawgrass Lake Park is a welcomed green space in the busy city. It preserves one of the largest maple swamps in the region and is also an important feature in the county’s protection against flooding. As a result of the lake, swamp and canals, Sawgrass Lake Park has become a home to a vast collection of plants and wildlife.

To explore the park deeper, there is a one-mile elevated boardwalk that meanders through the swamp. Along the way there are benches and shade canopies that allow you to rest while enjoying the beauty of the park. The boardwalk eventually leads to a two-story observation tower overlooking Sawgrass Lake. If you want to get off the beaten path and get your feet dirty, the park also offers a half-mile dirt hiking trail that leads a little deeper into the park.

Because of the variety of wildlife found within the park, Sawgrass Lake Park is a part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a collection of parks within the state that offer prime wildlife watching. I visited the park on a cool and rainy day but still managed to see quite a bit of active wildlife.

Sawgrass Lake Park is located at 7400 25th Street North in St Petersburg. It is opened daily from 7 am until sunset. There is a sign at the entrance of the park that indicates when the park will be closing each day. There is no admission to visit the park.

Click on the photo above to view my photo gallery from Sawgrass Lake Park.

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