Upper Tampa Bay TrailHead- Lutz Lake — Attraction in Odessa

Great spot to start the trail. Nice parking, easy to find, bathrooms, shelter with picnic tables, water cooler with paper cups. Go north and you will cross bumpy bridges through the swamp, and you will need to be careful crossing LLF road. Don't trust the crosswalk, I've seen cars blow through the red light, completely oblivious to it. After you cross the road, look to the field to your right for some fun farm animals! You can ride north to 54 and beyond. If you head south instead, there are no bridges, and you go through some typical Florida looking fields and forest. The trail ends at van dyke road, and doesn't yet go through to the rest of Tampa Bay trail. Either direction the trail is paved and...

this is a great paved trail, especially for roller skating! clear of debris and pretty smooth, not much cracking. beware after rainy days, as it can get pretty flooded. we almost always see turtles, bunnies, birds, deer, snakes, etc. which makes even just walking the trail exciting. there’s a water station at the beginning and end of the trail that’s always cold and refreshing. the people who take care of the place do a great job!! im happy to live someplace...

Ample parking (at least during my visit). $2 all day, and the machine accepts credit cards. Restrooms and water (including a doggy bowl) available. Leashed pets allowed, but be mindful of the plentiful bikers, joggers, rollerbladers, and walkers (and please take bags, we didn't see any dog stations along the way)! We headed South/East from the lot, and were pleased to find that stretch of the trail to be...