Sawgrass Lake Park
Sawgrass Lake Park
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
734 reviews
Excellent
458
Very good
209
Average
48
Poor
11
Terrible
8
Mark S
Corrales, NM3,391 contributions
May 2022
We love Sawgrass Lake Park and visit each time we vacation in the area. I was quite pleased to see much less trash in the water and on the grounds as we have usually seen. A wonderful place to view birds, turtles, gators, dragonflies, butterflies, lizards, etc... Really nice strolls along the stream or on elevated boardwalks. Bring insect repellant and sunscreen and have a great time. Great for the kiddies too. We saw a total of five gators this time, all about 1 year old to about 4 or 5. And we saw a Gopher Tortoise for the first time here too! Always cool to see them.
Written June 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paintergal55
Clearwater, FL4 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
The park as not as 'green' as it can be with more rain and summer weather. The eastern half of the walk was open and I saw butterflies, dragonflies, inch bug, chameleons, etc. They are still constructing the walk that goes to the lake viewing. I did not see any alligators or turtles today but I know they are there. If you want a quiet walk through what I call Florida 'woods' you will enjoy it. There is also a knoll type raised area on the south side of the stream where one could picnic. There are benches and some covered areas on the walk where rest is possible. Rest rooms consist of the typical outdoor compartments, not with plumbing. The building is not open to visitors at this time.
Written April 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smithzc
London, UK102 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
This was a perfect little broadwalk park for our family (kids 5&8).
As tourists to the area we were very excited and a little bit scared to see alligators so close in the wild. The locals were completely unfazed and just enjoying their daily exercise.
There is some traffic noise so you probably want to select somewhere else if you want the remote, peaceful experience.
All in all it was a much better way for us to see gaters than paying for a zoo or gater park.
As tourists to the area we were very excited and a little bit scared to see alligators so close in the wild. The locals were completely unfazed and just enjoying their daily exercise.
There is some traffic noise so you probably want to select somewhere else if you want the remote, peaceful experience.
All in all it was a much better way for us to see gaters than paying for a zoo or gater park.
Written April 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joanne A
St. Petersburg, FL24 contributions
Feb 2020
We walked along the raised wooden boardwalk through marshy wooded area with many interesting varieties of plants, including cypress trees, ferns and wildflowers. At the first observation deck, there was a huge alligator partly submerged close by. We asked farther along to the 2 story observation deck and saw several small ones among the reeds, and a humongous one swimming across Sawgrass Lake. We also saw and heard a large hawk in a tree above us. Great place to take the family for a pleasant and peaceful nature walk. I have brought my kids and visiting relatives here for many years. There are restrooms and educational displays in a building by the parking lot (free), and picnic table areas.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin D
Largo, FL3 contributions
Jan 2022
Very nice park; well marked trails, and a boardwalk. However, if you bring your canine walking companion, be aware that they are NOT allowed on the boardwalk ( as a few locals were intent to impress upon me) despite what maybe be posted on some reviews and/or travel websites. There were few unpaved paths, most all the paths are paved.
Written January 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ashley P
6 contributions
Jan 2020
My husband and I used to come here a lot with the kids. Well we went with the kids and some friends 1/26/20 and it has seriously gone downhill. Does anyone maintain this Park? There was trash EVERYWHERE, in the water ways in the woods, under the board walk, etc. The water looked absolutely disgusting. Is there an algae bloom or is it from all the trash polluting it ? So so very sad.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra J
Delta, Canada37 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Great air boat ride. Saw gators and nature. Worth the money which was very reasonable & due don’t feel ripped off. Lots to see out in the nature. Wear ear protectors given by the staff.,
Written March 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G. Rogerson
St. John's, Canada33 contributions
Jan 2020
Visited the park extensively in January 2020 as I have been doing for nearly 10 years now. Its sad to see the waterways almost totally clogged with vegetation and the amount of garbage thrown into the trees be inconsiderate visitors. Its such a wonderful walk and the boardwalks are well maintained but its time money was spent on the waterways. The wildlife will return if some TLC was given to the park
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth Y
Jefferson City, TN1,055 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
What happened to this park since I was here last. There is so much trash in the water & it is full of algae. Last time I was here I could see the gar laying on the bottom. Right now the water looks like black coffee. I saw very little Wildlife. This is the first time I saw no egrets, herons, alligators. I walked the entire boardwalk and also along the water toward entrance. The boardwalk was in good condition but the trash was just terrible. I left very sad.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda G
Iowa City, IA11 contributions
Jan 2020
I have gone to this park every year around the same time for the last 8 years. It was a beautiful park the first time I went. I observed several huge alligators and their babies. There were birds and turtles and flowers. Then they drained the lake because it was next to a gun club and cleaned the lead up. I thought it would come back after the lake was refilled but it has not been the same since. I went last week and it make me sick to my stomach and I was also very sad. The park looks like it is dying. The water is green as Kool Aid. The trees look like they are dead. There was one baby alligator and a couple of turtles. There are very few birds. It was such a treasure before.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there handicap assistance. How long is the short trail.
Written May 9, 2019
Bring your own assistance. However, the trails wheelchairs can travers. You can go on the trails through the park, or along the road adjacent to then park. It is really up to you. You can start out on a trail, and turn around whenever you wish.
Written June 7, 2019
kylejames87
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Are the walking trails and boardwalk stroller friendly?
Written April 9, 2018
Yes, most of the park is stroller friendly! We see parents with strollers all the time.
Written April 9, 2018
Will I have snakes slithering nearby?? Argh.
Written January 13, 2018
This is a good time of year to say that it is pretty safe that you won;t see snakes, They are likely underground because of the cold.
Written January 14, 2018
And call them to confirm their hours.
Written July 3, 2017
Will be coming in from out of town. About how long does it take to walk the boardwalk at a leisurely pace where you can enjoy the wildlife?
Written March 21, 2017
Taking a slow walk to see all the wildlife can take around 1 hour. It is a path that can be cut short if one is out of time. How much you see depends on day...animals and birds do not keep a schedule.
Written March 21, 2017
barrmccoy
Tallahassee, Florida
If dogs can't be on the boardwalk paths, are there other trails/ paths that make this worthwhile to come to if you are bringing a dog?
Written November 29, 2016
From the "Sawgrass Lake Park" website (as of 12/07/2016):
Dogs
- Allowed in park, but not on boardwalk or in nature center.
- Dogs must be on leash no more than six feet in length.
- Owners are requested to pick up after dogs."
There are other areas near the parking areas for dogs.
Written December 7, 2016
Address: 7400 25th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Phone: (727) 582-2100
It is located in a residential neighborhood at the end of the street you keep going and it takes you into the park. If you find this answer helpful please click the helpful icon. Thanks
Written July 24, 2016
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