Cypress Creek Preserve (Hillsborough County) Preserve

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cypress Creek Preserve is a nature reserve located in Hillsborough County, Florida.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

Visitors can explore over 7,000 acres of diverse ecosystems, including cypress swamps, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. The preserve offers hiking and biking trails, fishing areas, and opportunities for wildlife viewing. One of the main attractions at the preserve is the Cypress Boardwalk, which takes visitors on a scenic journey through the cypress swamps.

There are various points of interest to see at Cypress Creek Preserve, including the "Big Tree," a massive live oak tree estimated to be over 300 years old, and the "Eco-Lab," a research facility that studies the area's ecosystems and wildlife. Visitors can also explore the preserve's six natural communities, each with its unique plants and animals.

Interesting facts about the Cypress Creek Preserve include the fact that it is home to over 200 species of birds, making it a prime destination for birdwatchers. The preserve also contains several rare and endangered species, such as the Florida scrub-jay and the Eastern indigo snake. Additionally, the preserve's cypress swamps act as natural water filters, helping to keep the area's water supply clean.

The best time of year to visit Cypress Creek Preserve is during the fall and winter months, as the weather is cooler and there are fewer mosquitoes and other insects. However, visitors can still enjoy the preserve year-round, with each season offering its unique beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks