Boyd Hill Nature Park

The Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is located in St. Petersburg, on the shores of Lake Maggiore. It features 245 acres of park space that includes educational facilities, camping areas and nature exploration opportunities. The park features three-plus miles of boardwalks and trails. There is frequently interpretive programming on natural history and environmental topics. The park features five different ecosystems including sand pine scrub, hardwood hammocks, willow marshes, pine flatwoods and lake shore. The park is an important part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and features an aviary filled with birds of prey. There is an annual butterfly count in the park sponsored by the North American Butterfly Association. Guided tours of the park are available, and groups are able to rent camping areas and stay overnight. Guests can also enjoy the playground facilities, the picnic areas and a gift shop featuring nature-related gifts and trinkets. In addition to the ecosystems and learning center, the park is home to the Pinellas Pioneer Settlement. This living history experience depicts the lifestyle of Pinellas County Pioneers with period-style buildings and educational programs about crafts, skills and social customers. The settlement is located near the preserve and features the Endicott House, the Brantley Buiding, a sugar cane and pole barn, a blacksmith shop and a saw mill. The setting hosts Civil War enactments, festivals and antique shows.