Key Vista Nature Park occupies 101 acres the place Rocky Creek flows into the Anclote Anchorage, a relaxed shallows behind Anclote Key alongside the Gulf of Mexico.
Discover its simple trails by way of coastal flatwoods and sand pine scrub to a sandy shoreline edged with mangroves and sea grapes.
Sandy shorelineThis 1.2 mile perimeter loop on the path community ties collectively scenic spots from the statement tower to frontage on Sleepy Lagoon alongside Rocky Creek.
Add extra mileage by exiting the entrance gate for a stroll alongside the paved Coastal Anclote Path simply outdoors the boundary fence. This park is its northern trailhead.
Sleepy LagoonSources
Overview
Location: HolidayLength: 1.2 mile loopTrailhead: 28.199413, -82.779591Address: 2700 Ballies Bluff Rd, HolidayFees: FreeRestroom: On the trailheadLand supervisor: Pasco CountyPhone: 727-942-4030
Open day by day daybreak to nightfall. Leashed canine welcome. A canine water station is thoughtfully arrange close to the restrooms.
Accessible parking and restrooms are supplied, however the trails are pure floor. A central picnic space is within the island fashioned by the round car parking zone.
Instructions
Hike
A number of trails radiate from the parking space in a clockwise circle round a central picnic space.
Take the primary broad path clockwise, subsequent to the restrooms. Enter a sand pine scrub the place the grand champion sand pine as soon as stood.
Sand pine scrubThis forest stands out in sharp distinction to these managed by timbering by the number of sizes of the pines.
Some are tall and thin, others shorter and plump like Christmas bushes. Turning to white sand, the footpath curves by way of it.
Picnic bench at path junctionSlash pines enter the combo in a mix with sandhill species, scrub oaks adjoined by turkey oaks.
Emerge right into a broad clearing with a picnic bench at 0.2 mile. Flip left to proceed on the perimeter path. Wiregrass gleams within the solar.
Climbing over a ridgeAscend by way of a collection of curves by way of the continued mingling of habitats. Move a bench on a curve.
Scrub plum and Florida rosemary peep from the sides of the understory. Candle-stage longleaf pines sprout with towering wind-blown sand pines as a backdrop.
Florida rosemaryMeet a junction with a north-south footpath at 0.4 mile. To the left, it linked to the boardwalk at adjoining Anclote Gulf Protect.
Locals instructed us a bridge was out between the parks. We found the staircase on that boardwalk boarded off, disappointing individuals who’d walked the seaside to attach the paths.
Tidal flat between the parksStraight forward is a overwhelmed path to a tidal flat. To the fitting is the statement tower. Three tales excessive, it gives a panoramic view of the Gulf of Mexico.
A sandy path in entrance of it reaches a strip of white sand above the flats revealed when the tide is out.
Black mangroves and sea grape develop proper as much as the water’s edge.
Remark towerTrying left, the arc of flats stretches in the direction of an influence plant smokestack and round to a radar tower.
Take the sandy path to the fitting by way of a tunnel of mangroves.
Come out on a stretch of white sand seaside. Embellished with a number of wrack traces above the flats, it’s lengthy sufficient for a seaside stroll.
Sandy seasidePassing behind one other mangrove, attain the north finish of the seaside. A footpath exits the seaside in the direction of a bench above a small boulder pile.
On the path junction past it, stroll straight forward previous the incoming path from the tower.
The ribbon of white sand enters scrubby flatwoods the place a few of the older pines have oddly twisted trunks from surviving hurricane winds.
Scrubby flatwoodsA bench overlooks the placid waters of mangrove-lined Rocky Creek at 0.6 mile, with a glimpse of the Gulf within the distance.
This tidal creek drains a pure basin, Sleepy Lagoon, on the north nook of the protect.
Rocky CreekThe subsequent overlook alongside it’s studded with floor limestone. Cross a boardwalk to a bluff with a bench dealing with the water.
Stroll to the rocky shoreline for a view upstream, the place oyster bars emerge throughout low tide.
Outlined with stakes for boaters’ sakes, they’re a favourite gathering place for ibis to feed.
Ibis on the oyster bedsBehind the subsequent bench, rejoin the footpath within the pine forest northbound. Right here by the water, palms flourish within the understory.
At a Y intersection, bear left, passing an earthen ramp for paddlers to launch from.
Launch levelA panorama of the creek follows on the stroll alongside a low bluff. After a last rocky strategy to the water, go away the creek to observe the sandy path into the pine forest.
Rapidly coated in pine needles, it broadens, ascending to a bench at 0.8 mile.
Bench at a T intersectionThe path to the fitting heads instantly for the trailhead. Bear left, strolling a hall into sand pine scrub.
Maintain left on the subsequent junction. Descend in the direction of the mangroves, curving proper at a bench to stroll the ecotone.
Alongside higher Sleepy LagoonThe tidal basin past the mangroves is just seen the place they skinny. Going through a warning signal at a blocked off path, curve proper.
Ascend the bluff into the pine forest. The curve continues to level this loop south, passing a bench.
Climbing away from the mangrovesBecause the forest shifts to sand pine scrub, the footpath turns into comfortable white sand as soon as extra. A clearing with a picnic bench has an indication declaring this path the Sleepy Lagoon Path.
Ending it up, bear left, away from the Rocky Creek Loop Path (which you completed earlier) to return by way of the scrub to the parking space, finishing a 1.2 mile loop.
Make a left the place the loops meetPath Map
Discover Extra!
Video
Climbing Key Vista Nature Park
Slideshow
See our pictures from Key Vista Nature Park
Close by Adventures
Official Web site
Articles collectively researched, written, and photographed by Sandra Buddy & John Keatley, Florida authors and publishers of FloridaHikes.com.
