James E. Grey Preserve
If you are looking for a spot in Pasco County that feels like a true “palm tree wilderness,” you need to check out James E. Grey Preserve. This city park is tucked away along the Pithlachascotee (Cotee) River and offers a great mix of family-friendly amenities and rugged trails.
Here is the breakdown of what we found at the preserve.
For information & reservation:
http://floridanaturecoast.org/County/Pasco/GreyPreserve/GreyPreserve.aspx
The Logistics: Family and Nature Combined
- The Amenities: This park is set up for families. There are playgrounds, covered picnic pavilions, and barbecue grills. It’s a clean spot with trash cans everywhere—please use them to help keep the preserve clean.
- Access: While we accidentally started on a more “off the beaten path” trail, there is a paved sidewalk that leads from the playground directly to the boardwalk area.
- Hours: Keep an eye on the clock! The park closes at 6:30 PM, so this is definitely a “before dinner” adventure.
The Boardwalk: Dolphins and Manatees?
The highlight of the park is the extensive boardwalk system. It’s well-maintained and keeps you up out of the mushy swamp floor.
- The Cotee River: The river that runs through the preserve leads straight to the Gulf of Mexico. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to see dolphins or manatees that have made their way upstream into the brackish water.
- Wildlife: We didn’t run into any snakes this time (to Danielle’s relief), but the area is known for deer, wild boars, and tortoises.
Water Access: The Kayak Launch
If you have a kayak, canoe, or small non-motorized craft, this is an excellent launch point.
- Gulf Access: You can launch here and paddle all the way out to the Gulf. Just remember that it’s a one-way trip unless you’re ready for a serious workout on the way back, so plan for a pickup!
- Scenery: The water was a bit low during our winter visit, but the palm tree canopy over the water makes for some great scenery while you’re paddling.
A Little Discovery: Love Rocks
We found a “Pasco Love Rock” hidden along the trail. If you see these, the idea is usually to move them to a new spot or a new park to keep the “love” traveling. We left this one for the next explorer to find, but it’s a cool little community touch to the preserve.
Watch our full tour of the preserve here: James E. Grey Preserve Adventure
We definitely got our workout in for the day. If you’re looking for the recipes that Danielle tests out on her “guinea pig” (that’s me!) before they go live, head over to www.dininginwithdanielle.com. These are all family-approved and perfect for fueling up after a hike.
Y’all please take care.