Skyway Fishing Pier State Park - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Maximo Park, is definitely a great place to spend some time outdoors. Located close to the Gulf of Mexico and other attractions such as John's Pass. In Maximo Park one can take in stunning views of Tampa Bay while enjoying all sorts of activities such as fishing, kayaking, or simply lounging by the beach. With plenty of picnic tables, grills, covered cabanas, and nearby restrooms there are endless ways for visitors to make their stay even more enjoyable.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a great spot for nature lovers to explore and relax. This 259-acre urban oasis offers picnic sites, boardwalk trails and various wildlife such as birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians. Visitors can experience close encounters with local animals at the Wildlife Encounter Area or take a leisurely stroll around the lake while admiring butterflies and dragonflies. There are also educational activities like ranger guided tours that focus on the preserve’s biodiversity.

Pass-a-Grille Beach is the ultimate beach destination. Located at the far south end of St. Pete Beach, this serene and picturesque spot has something for each and every beachgoer. The crystal blue waters, gentle waves, and soft white sands combine to make this 8-mile gulf-side paradise perfect for swimming, sunning, shelling, and simply taking a romantic stroll. For those wanting to dip their toes in other activities, the nearby shops offer all kinds of souvenirs, crafts and more.

Fort De Soto Park is a tropical paradise to explore with numerous attractions. Spanning over 1,050 acres, the park offers miles of picturesque shoreline perfect for swimming around the artificial islands and fishing off the piers. Visitors can also go kayaking or canoeing around the estuaries. Other great activities include camping, canoe races, bird watching tours and history discovery runs.

Fort De Soto Park is the perfect location for a variety of outdoor activities. Not only does the park provide picnicking areas and playgrounds, but it also has miles of trails for hiking, biking, and kayaking. Visitors to the 1,136-acre coastal paradise can relax along seven miles of white sand beaches or explore the shores by swimming or fishing from two large piers. Traveling further inland reveals freshwater ponds and salt marshes filled with birds and other local wildlife.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is an iconic symbol of Hillsborough County Completed in 1987, this bridge stands across a four-mile span of Tampa Bay and is a beautiful sighting at sunrise or sunset. A cable-stayed bridge with several concrete piers, it also boasts a unique curved shape with fans for extra support, making it a creative engineering masterpiece as well as an eye-catching structure.