Real Florida Adventures…
Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park and
Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park is a
series of barrier islands, collectively more than 617 acres
in southeast Tampa Bay in Hillsborough County. The islands
are located in the mouth of the Little Manatee River
and extend southward along the shore of Tampa Bay. The
state park serves to protect water quality, preserve wildlife
habitat and provide nature-based recreation. The islands
are surrounded by the 4,800-acre Cockroach Bay Aquatic
Preserve. The bay is considered the least disturbed part of
Tampa Bay which makes it popu-
-
ing and a premier spot for nature
observation.
Why is it called Cockroach
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Bay? Horseshoe crabs
were once so abundant here that
early Spanish explorers called
them cockroaches, believing
them to be seagoing cousins of
the insects. The state parks’ landscape
is mostly submerged at
high tide and dominated by mangrove
swamps. The islands are only accessible by water
using personal watercraft; bring your own boat. The bay
waters, many barrier islands, and mangrove swamps create
a picturesque landscape best viewed from a canoe or
kayak. The nearest public boat ramp is located west of U.S.
Highway 41 at the end of Cockroach Bay Road, four miles
north of the Manatee County line. Launch and paddle south
on the Horseshoe Crab Paddling Trail, a 2.5 - 3 hour trip. To
the north is the 1 - 1.5 hour Snook Paddling Trail. Nearby
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813-623-6500 • 813-681-8956 • 813-451-4775
10055 E. Adamo Dr., Tampa/ Brandon
Little Manatee River State Park
offers tent and RV camping facilities
from which to base your regional
explorations. Reservations
may be made up to 11 months in
advance through Reserve America.
Book Online or call (800) 326-
3521 (8:00am to 8:00pm).
Cockroach Bay Preserve
- The best place to start your explorations
is the Cockroach Bay
Preserve, owned by Hillsborough
County. This is also the location
of the parking area for the
boat launch for the Cockroach
Bay Preserve State
Park and Cockroach Bay
Aquatic Preserve. Cockroach
Bay Preserve also offers
the Trefoil Trail, a 1 mile
hike to a scenic overlook of
a 500-acre natural habitat
restoration project which
of Tampa Bay. According
to the Great Florida Birding
Trail, Cockroach Bay
Preserve and surroundings
are home to 260 species of
birds.
Little Manatee River
State Park - The Little
Manatee River begins in a
swampy area near the ghost
town of Fort Lonesome and
-
fore emptying into Tampa
Bay. The river has been
designated an Outstanding
Cockroach Bay Preserve Sta
Little Manatee River State Park
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