If you feel like immersing yourself in the outdoors and watching a beautiful sunset somewhere in the Tampa Bay Area, you’ll be excited to learn that there are many beautiful places to enjoy sundown.
Fort De Soto Park
My top pick is Fort De Soto Park in nearby St. Petersburg, Florida. At this park, there are several different beaches to enjoy sunset from, and each beach offers a unique vantage point. Whether you want to watch sunset by the pier, mangroves, or sea oats, Fort De Soto Park has the perfect spot for you to enjoy golden hour.
Weedon Island Preserve
Another gorgeous park to watch sunset from in the Tampa area is Weedon Island Preserve. This beautiful sunset spot is a very short drive away from Tampa, so it’s a great option for those who don’t want to make their way out to the beach. I recommend hiking the Tower Boardwalk trail. You’ll be able to watch sunset from the observation tower, which is absolutely stunning.
Hillsborough River State Park
For a more wilderness-like experience, head on over to Hillsborough River State Park and take a sunset stroll through their Wetlands Trail. The lighting this time of day on the trail is magical. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to see some wildlife! I’ve seen deer and all kinds of birds while walking around this part of the park. I also spotted the largest otter I’ve ever seen in my life on this trail. So rad!
Know Before You Go:
+ We’re talking about Florida here, so you’ll want to be prepared for biting insects. Even at Fort De Soto, the no-see-ums can get terribly irritating at dusk. If it’s going to be a warm, still evening, I’d spray a little bit of bug spray on.
+ Fort De Soto and Hillsborough River require entry fees.
+ All three parks close at dark, so please plan your visit accordingly and respect the rules.
+ Camping reservations can be made for Fort De Soto Park and Hillsborough River State Park.
Get in Touch
To learn more about my favorite sunset spots near Tampa, feel free to email me at emilykeenphotography@gmail.com. You can also check out another sunset-related post I wrote about Fort De Soto’s Gulf Pier at Sunset.
Emily Keen Photography 