Fishhawk Creek Nature Preserve North

1st time here and we loved it. Trails are very well marked 3.5 mile loop very well maintained trail. We love the elevation changes, hard to find in Florida. Nice views of Fishhawk Creek. It's right next to another park (Lithia Springs Park) that has kayak launch and camping. Also has a bathroom. $2 to enter

Five stars, hands down. FishHawk Creek Nature Preserve North is a hidden sanctuary in Lithia and well worth the $2 entry fee. The trails gently twist and turn, leading you down sacred paths to the riverside. The water flows clear and alive with fish and birds, and when I visited on a weekday, I had the entire preserve to myself. The quiet was profound. It felt like stepping back in time, imagining how beautiful and life-giving this place must have been for the First Peoples who once walked here. I felt a deep sense of joy, connection, and reverence for the love and community that must have lived along this river. Driving into the area, you also see the contrast — development pressing in, land being cleared, the tension between growth and preservation. It makes places like this feel even more precious. This is sacred ground. The small entry fee felt almost shocking because the experience itself is priceless. You’ll notice signs along the main roads for Preserve Rural Lithia, and it’s clear this movement matters. Efforts to protect land, parks, and natural corridors are happening across Florida, and they are vital. What makes this state truly wealthy is not development or material growth, but its natural beauty, its waterways, and the soul of the land itself. This preserve is a reminder of what we’re protecting — and why it matters.

Beautiful trail, I wish it was a little longer. Today was a cold weather day so it was a fantastic walk - no bugs or mud or anything to worry about. It’s dog friendly (on a leash) and was quiet today (we passed 2 other sets of people near the beginning and end of the trail but none for the rest of the walk. There’s a $2. entry fee (per car) but seems reasonable. It’s connected to Lithia Springs Park (same entrance) so I guess you could also explore there too if you wanted and have the time (I did not today) but all and all worth the visit.

I love this one, Pure nature, river, spots, you can swim and it's close to Lithia Spring where you can visit 2 parks in the same place.

What a great place to hike! It’s home to some of the more difficult parts of hiking, like tree roots and steep slopes, especially at the riverbank. It’s a beautiful area regardless and you can take a look at the river in certain points. I decided to take a guided tour here because I was preparing for a trip to the Grand Canyon. The tour was very knowledgeable about everything in the area, including threats to the park. Overall, it’s a great experience.