Tampa's biggest parks, the Riverwalk and Bayshore trail, dog parks, splash pads and beaches, with addresses and hours. Parks administration: 813-274-8615.
Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Facts come from the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department’s featured parks, dog parks, splash pads and greenways pages.
The City of Tampa runs the parks inside the city limits, from riverfront plazas downtown to bay beaches in South Tampa. Every park is on the city’s Park Finder map. Parks in the unincorporated areas around the city are run by Hillsborough County.
Who to call
- Parks administration: City of Tampa Parks and Recreation, 813-274-8615
- Requests and problems in a park: Tampa Connect, Parks and Recreation
- Shelter rentals and events: Special Events Coordination
- County parks outside the city: Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation
The big parks
| Park | Address | Hours | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park | 600 N. Ashley Drive | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Riverwalk, splash fountains, dog park, big events |
| Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park | 1001 N. Boulevard | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. | 25 acres, boat ramps, splash pad, sports courts, dog park |
| Water Works Park | 1710 N. Highland Ave. | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Ulele Springs, splash pad, canoe and kayak launch |
| Cotanchobee Park | 601 Old Water St. | See city page | 4.5 acres on Garrison Channel, Heroes Plaza, boat slips |
| Al Lopez Park | 4810 N. Himes Ave. | See city page | About 132 acres, nature trail, ponds, dog park, 15 shelters |
| Ballast Point Park | 5300 Interbay Blvd. | 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Splash pad, boat ramp, bay sunrises |
| Picnic Island Park | 7409 Picnic Island Blvd. | Sunrise to sunset | Beach, dog beach, fishing pier, boat ramp, canoe launch |
From the city’s featured parks page. Also on the list: Copeland Park (pool, gym and courts), Cypress Point Park (beach, jogging trail, disc golf) and Perry Harvey Sr. Park (history walk honoring Tampa’s African American community, skate park and festival lawn).
The city says the 600-foot pier at Ballast Point was damaged in the 2024 hurricanes and that repair or replacement options are being evaluated.
The Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk runs along the downtown waterfront of the Hillsborough River and Garrison Channel, linking Cotanchobee Park, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. The city’s directions and parking page lists the garages nearby.
Bayshore Boulevard trail
The Bayshore Linear Park Trail is a 10-foot-wide waterfront sidewalk from Columbus Statue Park at Platt Street to Gandy Boulevard, open sunrise to sunset. A three-mile on-road bike lane runs along the northbound side of Bayshore between Rome Avenue and Gandy Boulevard. Expect benches, a water fountain, bike parking and fitness stations; park at Ballast Point Park or Fred Ball Park. Fishing is not allowed along the trail.
Other city greenway trails include the West Tampa Greenway at Al Lopez and Cypress Point parks, the Hillsborough River Greenway at Copeland Park and the South Tampa Greenway’s MacDill Trail at Gadsden Park; maps are on the greenways page.
Dog parks
The city’s dog park list includes:
- Al Lopez Park (James Urbanski Dog Park), 4810 N. Himes Ave.
- Angus Goss Dog Park, 4601 N. Central Ave.
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive
- Davis Islands Dog Park and Dog Beach, 1002 Severn Ave.
- Deputy John Kotfila Jr. Memorial Dog Park, 626 N. Raymond Ave.
- Gadsden Park, 6901 S. MacDill Ave.
- Giddens Park, 5202 N. 12th St.
- Henry and Ola Park, 502 W. Henry Ave.
- Herman Massey Park, 1002 N. Franklin St.
- Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park
Dogs must be leashed everywhere outside the fenced, leash-free areas, including the parking lot, and are not allowed on city beaches except a designated dog beach.
Splash pads
City splash pads run on two schedules: April to October and November to March. Most, including Anderson Park (821 S. Rome Ave.), Ballast Point, Cotanchobee and Fair Oaks Park (3400 E. Louisiana Ave.), are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through October and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November. The Curtis Hixon fountains run until 10 p.m. All are shut off when the temperature falls below 40 degrees. Check the splash pad page for closures.
What this means for you
- Splash pads switch to shorter winter hours in November.
- Bayshore and Picnic Island close at sunset; the downtown parks stay open until 10 p.m.
- Big events at Curtis Hixon and Julian B. Lane mean closures and full garages; check things to do this month first.
- Report a broken light, trash or damage through Tampa Connect.
Related: walking and biking trails, dog-friendly Tampa, the Tampa Riverwalk, getting around Tampa, farmers markets and Fourth of July fireworks.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best parks in Tampa?
The city’s featured parks include Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park downtown, Al Lopez Park, Ballast Point Park, Picnic Island Park and Water Works Park. The city’s Park Finder map lists every park.
How long is the Bayshore Boulevard trail?
The 10-foot-wide Bayshore trail runs from Columbus Statue Park at Platt Street south to Gandy Boulevard. It is open sunrise to sunset; fishing is not allowed along it.
Where are the dog parks in Tampa?
The city lists more than a dozen, including Al Lopez Park, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Davis Islands Dog Park and Dog Beach, Gadsden Park and Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. Dogs must stay leashed outside the fenced areas.
Does Tampa have a beach?
Yes, small bay beaches. Picnic Island Park in South Tampa has a beach and a dog beach, and Cypress Point Park also has a beach.
What are the hours for Tampa parks?
They vary by park. Curtis Hixon, Julian B. Lane and Water Works parks are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Ballast Point is 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Picnic Island and the Bayshore trail are sunrise to sunset.
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