The Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg is a true hidden gem in Florida. It isn’t tucked away in some unknown corner, in fact, it is located in the heart of what the locals call The Southside of the city and is very visible. However, unless you intentionally seek it out you might miss it altogether. This place holds a lot of nostalgia for me because I used to explore this place alot as a kid. If you are looking for a casual escape into nature or a place to invoke a sense of childlike wonder, I recommend a trip to this natural oasis.

I spent a lot of time as a kid in the wilderness of Boyd Hill and some pretty significant life moments happened to me in this nature preserve so for me it is dripping with sweet nostalgia. There are several trails throughout so you can choose your own adventure when you go. Growing up in the north I always loved going down to Florida when we visited family. I remember falling in love with the warmth; it always struck me with how alive the state felt. Often times we would visit in the winter and I soaked up the sun and enjoyed everything green I could.

This is the place where my infinity for a good boardwalk trail began as I hiked through a vibrant forest teeming with greenery. The hanging Spanish moss fascinated me and always made it feel like I was stepping into a fantasy world. I was a very imaginative kid so it didn’t take much coaxing to get me to escape into an imaginative world of my own making.

There are large statues in the preserve, like the massive armadillo. The sight of this large armored creature will certainly stand out during your exploration! Along your walk, you can see other animal statues, which makes for an exciting hunt during your adventure.

Another thing to note is that the woods are teeming with wildlife everywhere you look. You can hardly walk down the path without seeing a lizard scurry in front of you or an exotic-looking bird sunning itself by the water. Alligators were always the highlight for me because they felt so unique but also a little bit scary. I was even walking as a kid by myself and turned the corner to see a massive gator lying on the path about ten feet from me. I came to a sudden stop and slowly backed away. He didn’t move but I chose a different trail after that…

The preserve is also designed to educate guests while visiting. So you can get an up-close look at some impressive birds of prey, snakes, and other creatures when you go. If you time it just right, you can even arrive when they are running, an event which is always fun. The buildings are also available for events, and I spent time camping in the area for an event my church put on, there is nothing better than having a bonfire after dark in Boyd Hill. This place has always been special to me and I would highly recommend a visit to this wild and amazing forest. 

For a true hidden gem head to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. You could almost miss it amidst the neighborhoods that surround this park and that would be a tragedy. So make sure you explore this wild and wonderful area in St. Petersburg Florida and having AllTrails can help. This is a tool I never go on a hike without having it with you will help you to make the most of the trails in Boyd Hill.