Lettuce Lake Park

​I am giving this park 5 stars! 😊 First, don't forget to bring $2 in cash for the entrance fee (this covers one vehicle with up to 8 people). ​I visited in early July, and I would suggest avoiding the afternoons during the summer heat. My next visit will definitely be in the morning, or during the cooler fall and spring months. ​The entire park is exceptionally clean. Parking is conveniently spread out, so you can easily park close to your favorite trail. The amenities are great, featuring exercise stations, playgrounds, and picnic shelters that are all very nice and well-maintained. Finally, the boardwalks leading to the observation tower over the Hillsborough River are gorgeous, surrounded by beautiful landscapes full of nature and wildlife.

Great place to walk and experience nature. Cooler place when temperatures soar. Would recommend, especially for the $2 entry fee. Note: as of July 10, 2026 water levels are very low making seeing alligators and turtles much less likely, and part of the boardwalk, including the tower, are closed for repairs.

Beautiful park in Tampa right past USF. It seemed huge and there were a lot of different trails to come try. $2 CASH-ONLY entry. I did not know this and thank god we had cash on us. It is dog-friendly. We took both of our dogs and they had a blast here. It wasn’t busy but certainly not empty. As you can see from the pictures the dogs had a blast. The trails were wide and all very beautiful. We did see some tortoises so keep an eye out for them! There were many shelter areas so it’s great for little gatherings and get-togethers.

$2 CASH ONLY Entrance Plenty of parking, sparkling clean trail (thank you park rangers). The boardwalk had great views over the water and plenty of unique birds and smaller alligators. The loop trail is paved, clean, complete visibility with dense forests. Bathrooms plentiful and easy to locate. Thank you for another great experience Florida!

It’s a great park if you’re looking to enjoy a wild, natural atmosphere. The trails are well maintained and perfect for walking your dog. We saw many people walking, jogging, and enjoying picnics with their families. You’ll likely need to use the boardwalk to see alligators, but unfortunately dogs aren’t allowed there. Even so, we were excited to spot an owl and an armadillo. The entrance fee is $2 per vehicle, and there are multiple parking areas throughout the park, along with picnic areas, restrooms, and playgrounds, which make it especially family-friendly.