Address: 1800 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702, USA
Phone: +17274536500
Sunday: 7AM–7PM
Monday: 7AM–7PM
Tuesday: 7AM–7PM
Wednesday: 7AM–7PM
Thursday: 7AM–7PM
Friday: 7AM–7PM
Saturday: 7AM–7PM
Vivian van Zyl
We visited the island preserve today and found it to be very close to downtown st. Pete. Fifteen minute drive at most. There were no entrance fees. There were several parking areas available with plenty of space for parking. We saw several groups of people gathering near the parking area. One group was a guided walking tour and there were several people interested in taking the tour. Another group that gathered seems to be a fun run type of event that seemed very well organized. The walking paths seems very well kept. We walked for quite a distance and found a overlook over the water, where you could see the fish from above. One highlight was walking to the overlook tower, that stood a few stories high. Seemed well built and we climbed to the top using the stairs where we found wonderful lookout position. We could see St. Petersburg, Tampa and so much more. There was a map with arrows that points to the landmarks in the distance at the top of the lookout. We also saw a boat ramp where several small watercraft and paddle boards were launching from. Rest rooms were available. We really enjoyed our walk and it's probably best to be there early in the summer before the heat starts. We plan to go back there soon and have fun again at this wonderful place.
William Knall
We drove all the way from Melbourne today to get to see the ancient 40' seafaring canoe. It was amazing!! What was also amazing is the culture center. There's wonderful displays of ancient artifacts as well as information on the island and surrounding estuary. We literally spent the day in the center and hiking the grounds. The staff is terrific and the introductory video is well worth watching. All this for free!!!
Lilu Powell
Great trails and boardwalk. However I went over the holiday so the main center was closed, meaning they had no bathrooms available at all, and I only saw 1 trashcan. The park is free and parking seemed easy enough. It's definitely big stroller friendly just watch out for the wasps on the board walk.
Michelle Villariza
A preserve with a whole lot of history. This place very well kept, with stunning mangrove forests and wildlife. This park is more than just the observation tower. The history behind its development and preservation gives a deeper meaning to your trailing experience. Great trails, and they do have cool kayak paths through mangrove tunnels as well.
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Yes, it's not the closest parking area to the put in, it's the larger, overflow parking lot by the education center.
Biking is permitted on Weedon Dr. (the main road that takes you into the Preserve) but is prohibited on any of the trails. Bike racks are available at the Fishing Pier, the Ed Center parking lot, and at one access point to the Boy Scout Trail off the road.
Hi Ramon, flying drones at Weedon Island Preserve is prohibited under Pinellas County Ordinances Sec. 90-7 which states, "No person operating, directing, or responsible for any airplane, helicopter, drone, glider, hang glider, hot air balloon, dirigible, parachute or other aerial apparatus, including those radio controlled or otherwise unmanned, shall take off from or land in or on any county-owned or managed land, except for purposes of public safety or where written permission has been obtained from the administrator or designee." Thank you for your question.
Day rentals only, but it is pretty pricey for a whole day. While I did not rent one, my son and I did the kayak trail in about two hours. Neither one of us kayak very much so that might be a good reference as to how long you want to rent one for.
Yes, Jose. We have a kayak/canoe launch found at the very end of Weedon Dr., right next to the fishing pier. There are a small number of parking spots by the launch site but more parking is available by the WIP Cultural and Natural History Center.
Yes. You can fish the pier or wade from the pier with a good quality shoe. The oyster bed is no joke around there.
The only place where visitors are permitted to fish from is at the fishing pier located at the end of Weedon Drive, or you may fish by kayak or canoe. However, the collection of fiddler crabs is not permitted.
No, pets are not permitted at the Weedon Island Preserve under Pinellas County ordinances. Violations of the rules may result in fines. Service animals are permitted at the Weedon Island Preserve under Florida and Federal laws which state: The term "Service animal” means an animal that is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. For purposes of public accommodation, the term “service animal” is limited to a dog or miniature horse. The crime-deterrent effect of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for purposes of this definition.
Probably the best time would be between December and March, I'd travel out to the deeper waters.
There is no real camping ground. It is a mangrove trees plantations along water channel. You walk on wood bridges an trails over the swamp like ground. Not really a camping place
There are no public showers at the Weedon Island Preserve.
Hello, only kayaks, canoes or paddle boards may be launched from the kayak launch adjacent to the fishing pier.
Yes you do need a saltwater License to fish in Florida. Unless you're fishing from a Peer
Hello, the park is open every day of the year except the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
No, pets are not permitted at the Weedon Island Preserve under Pinellas County ordinances. Those who break that rule may be fined by a ranger on the property.
Rentals close at 6.
Yes! Make sure you have a valid saltwater fishing license and follow the rules on size and numbers if you plan on keeping fish.
I've been there twice on Sunday and only a handful of people at the very end of the pier. Most usually fish from kayaks that I saw.
Fishing is very tide dependent at Weedon Island. I've caught most of my fish on the slack tide. Get waders and Wade fish ; so much easier.
There are many sidewalk trails near the education center and the board walks are wide enough for wheelchairs.
I'm pretty sure you can, depending on vehicle and trailer size. Not the small strip of parking spaces right by the pier and kayak launch, it's the big parking lot by the education center. I've seen trailers in there, in the "end" spots, which are longer. If you look in maps right now in satellite view you can see a small trailer in one of those spots. I'm assuming as long as it fits you're good. If you've got an extended cab F250 with a full sized livestock trailer you're not going to fit, But I've seen a number of cars/SUVs/trucks with kayak trailers fit in there fine.
There is no beach access, but you can rent a kayak and paddle into the preserve if you desire.
Hi Rebeca, we have roughly 2 miles of boardwalks/paved trail and 2.7 miles of natural (unpaved) trail loops. You may view our trail map here http://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/pdf/WIP_trails3.pdf for a better understanding of the different distances.
Hi Ashley, all pets are prohibited at Weedon Island Preserve per Pinellas County ordinances. We can recommend nearby parks that are dog friendly if you're seeking new green spaces to visit.
Overnight parking and/or camping are not permitted on the Preserve. The Preserve opens at 7am and closes 15 minutes before sunset.
If you are in the northern section, it could be the announcement system from the power plant. They blast tones before any announcement messages to the plant workers.
The Bay Boardwalk, Tower Boardwalk, and the paved Upland Trail are ADA accessible, as is our restroom outside the WIP Cultural and Natural History Center.
Hi William, as one person mentioned, Sweetwater Kayak is the company we are contracted with to provide kayak and canoe rentals at the Preserve. The pricing structure for rentrals is available on their website at: https://sweetwaterkayaks.wordpress.com/rentals/.
We did not see any during our trip in August but there were reports of sightings.
No
Salt water... The Gators you see are mostly just harmless babies.
Best bet is to wade lots of shallow flats to get bait
Yes. Great snook, redfish, trout and occasional bonnet- head shark fishing here. Best by kayak or flats boat to explore all of the mangroves. Go on a moving tide, either in coming or out going for best results.
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