Outdoor activities and spending time in nature are a great way to stay active and enjoy the greenery around us, with the added benefit of a greater emotional well-being. With so many proven ways to enhance mental health, there has never been a better time to enjoy the endless list of nature-focused activities that residents and visitors will find in the St. Pete-Clearwater area.
While the St. Pete-Clearwater area may be best known for its stunning white sand beaches, it also packs a punch of relaxing activities and adventure out in nature. From tranquil kayaking journeys through mangrove tunnels to more than 100 miles of recreational trails for cycling, hiking and more, the St. Pete-Clearwater is nature’s playground, offering endless options to have fun under the sun.
May the (bike) trail lead the way
May is National Bike Month, and there is no better way to celebrate than exploring the breathtaking scenery of St. Pete-Clearwater on scenic paved trails. With an extension of 75 continuous miles, residents and visitors can cruise along the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail Loop all the way from St. Petersburgh through Tarpon Springs. Other options include panoramic bay views on the Courtney Campbell Trail, a breath of fresh air on the Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail and beach-side rides on Clearwater’sBeach Walk. For museums, gelato, and waterfront sights there is Downtown St. Pete’s North Bay Trail and, for history buffs, Fort De Soto State Park in Tierra Verde boasts beautiful beaches and a nearly 7-mile paved trail.
Take a Hike!
The St. Pete-Clearwater area is full of gardens, nature preserves and parks for residents and visitors to get their steps in, enjoy the green space and breathe in some fresh air. Pristine locations such as Weedon Island Preserve and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Pete, the George C. McGough Nature Park in Largo (nicknamed the “turtle park” for its resident population), the Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve and the John Chesnut Sr. Park in Palm Harbor, are just a handful of options to enjoy a green and serene experience. Plant lovers can enjoy the lively colorful flora and botanical wonders at the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo or treat themselves to exploring the hidden gem that is Sunken Gardens in St. Pete to stroll through a tropical paradise filled with exotic plants and flowers.
Zip Through Adventure and Conquer the Climb in St. Pete-Clearwater
With more parks per square mile than any other city in the Sunshine State, the Oldsmar community offers a plethora of activities for active tranquility, such as ziplining. At Empower Adventures Tampa Bay visitors take on a treetop nature tours, which include zipping through 3,000 feet of adrenaline-filled zip lines. In St. Pete, the adventure goes vertical, as visitors test their skills at Vertical Ventures, which features more than 150 40-foot-tall climbing routes with varying difficulty levels.
Wake the Water
Everyone who visits the St. Pete-Clearwater area can harness the life-giving properties of the most abundant element on the planet. From gliding across serene lakes on a paddleboard and kayaking through crystal-clear rivers to feeling the rush of the wind on a jet ski or a kitesurfing lesson, the options are endless. Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin boasts 3.5 miles of kayaking bliss through the mangroves. The nearby Honeymoon Island State Park, aside from offering more than four miles of paradise-like beach, also has a three-mile trail that goes through one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests. Visitors in the north St. Pete area can also paddle in on the action at Weedon Island Preserve, another popular spot for kayakers.
Connect with your inner yogi
Visitors can unwind and reconnect with their inner selves by doing some outdoor yoga. Options such as Nava Yoga Studio and Ocean Fitness Yoga can help find that much needed inner peace with beachside yoga alongside the calming sounds of the waves. Alternatively, The Body Electric at the St. Pete Pier offers a free community yoga class, every first Wednesday of the month, with the unbeatable beauty of the sunset as a rejuvenating backdrop.
Article and photos courtesy of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater.