Lettuce Lake Park — Attraction in Temple Terrace

I’m not sure if I have already written a review for lettuce Lake but I feel like an updated review is needed due to all the changes. I haven’t seen any reviews that give updated information.Today is 8/31/2025. My husband and I decided to take a walk this morning at lettuce Lake because it’s probably one of our favorite walking places but it’s been a while since we have gone due to all the work being done on the boardwalk area. The last time we went, which was a few months ago part of the boardwalk was shut down for repairs after the storm last year. i’m excited to share,It is fully open now and beautiful! They did such a great job with the boardwalk. If you just go on the boardwalk, it’s alittle over a mile walk. That includes all directions on the boardwalk. some of which are dead ends. If you’re looking for beautiful nature, tranquil, peaceful walk, lettuce Lake is the best! Not only is there the boardwalk section, but there is also paved sidewalks that loop around Park.We ended up walking 3 miles, twice on the boardwalk section and also on the pave sidewalks but we have explored more then 5 miles during the cooler months at this park. There are bathrooms throughout. We also love the Welcome center, which is a room with information on just about everything you will see on the property,including taxidermy, animals, fun facts to read on and two snake exhibits with live snakes named Arya and popcorn. every time we go to lettuce lake we see A ton of wildlife, including so many different types of birds, rabbits, squirrels, and our favorite gators! This trip was no different and we saw A 4 foot gator, sitting under the boardwalk ( they love to hide there so keep eye out)and about five teeny baby gators we were so excited to spot! Is also a 3 to 4 story lookout tower that is fun to go to the top and spot gators in the distance. It’s just a two dollar entry and several different places to park. they have been working hard on redoing the park so we saw them working on some of the picnic pavilion huts that You can rent here. They do also have a canoe area where you can rent canoes and leave right from lettuce Lake. You would just tell the person taking your two dollar entry that you’re interested in renting canoes and they will give you more information. There are also several playground areas throughout this park. One of which is what we call adult playground because it’s for exercising, but I’m sure kids would have a blast. We happen to notice no biking signs for the boardwalk, but I’m unsure if bikes are allowed throughout the rest of the park. ( we have never seen bikers only rollerblading)When it’s nicer out, only a few months out of the year in Florida, we like to take the off-road trails. They wind in and out of trees and have a nice designated path,( unpaved) but we avoid the summertime due to wet grounds and or bugs. I would definitely suggest bug spray here around at this park because of how many trees there are. overall, this is definitely a must for anyone looking for a place to get some steps in and have a really peaceful enjoyable time, see some wildlife, and with the boardwalk being finished only a few weeks ago, we will definitely be...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Urban Oasis in the Heart of Tampa: Lettuce Lake Park

Picture this: you're in the bustling city of Tampa, Florida, and you suddenly find yourself transported into a serene, lush oasis teeming with wildlife and natural beauty. That's Lettuce Lake Park for you – a hidden gem nestled within the urban landscape, offering an escape from the city's hustle and bustle that's just too good to miss!

From the moment you enter Lettuce Lake Park, you'll be greeted by the sounds of rustling leaves and the sight of towering cypress trees, creating a magical canopy overhead. The meticulously maintained boardwalks weave through the park, guiding you on a journey of discovery as you immerse yourself in the diverse ecosystems that call this place home.

One of the park's main attractions is its stunning lake, teeming with local wildlife. As you meander along the boardwalk, keep your eyes peeled for alligators basking in the sun or turtles swimming gracefully through the water. The park is also a bird watcher's paradise, with over 200 species of birds calling this haven home, including majestic herons, colorful woodpeckers, and playful ospreys.

And it's not just about the wildlife – Lettuce Lake Park offers an array of recreational activities for the whole family. Kids will love the well-equipped playground area, while fitness enthusiasts can take advantage of the park's exercise stations and jogging trails. For those looking to relax, the park's picnic areas and shelters provide the perfect setting for a leisurely meal with friends and family.

The park's crowning jewel is its 40-foot observation tower, offering visitors a unique bird's-eye view of the surrounding landscape. Climb up the tower and be rewarded with panoramic vistas of the lake, the Hillsborough River, and the verdant treetops that stretch out as far as the eye can see. This is the perfect spot to take in a breathtaking Florida sunset, with the sky transforming into an explosion of warm hues as the sun dips below the horizon.

Lettuce Lake Park is a true urban oasis, offering a slice of natural paradise within Tampa's city limits. So whether you're a local looking for a peaceful retreat or a visitor seeking an unforgettable experience, make sure to include Lettuce Lake Park on your must-visit list. A day spent exploring this enchanting park is guaranteed to leave you feeling rejuvenated...

We always enjoy the stroll on the boardwalk at Lettuce Lake Park. Today (mid-March) we saw 5-6 small alligators, the largest being about 4’ long. Sometimes they are quite close to the boardwalk so you can see them well. Today, one was swimming slowly toward us, and then circling away.

We saw many water birds from a Great Blue Heron down to small robin-sized wading birds. Many White Ibises and smaller ibises. There were several taupe colored wading birds with long straight sturdy beets and red feet. They poked their open beaks into the bottom of the water while using a red foot to stir the mud nearby as if to disturb their prey. I wish I was good at identifying birds so I could tell you the name.

The only animals we saw other than birds and gators were squirrels, turtles, and fish.

Mostly the boardwalk is shaded or partly shaded by the cypress trees. There is a tall observation tower on the lake. We were hot today so we stayed at the bottom where the tower shaded the deck.

The trail was about 1.5 miles round trip and there was a nice clean restroom where we parked. There are also picnic tables, some covered around the park.

At one point we saw a rack of orange canoes or kayaks which were probably for renting, but we didn’t go over to...