Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department

Environmental Lands Management Division 10940 McMullen Road

Riverview, FL 33569-6226 813-672-7876

Fax: 813-672-7880 www.HillsboroughCounty.org/Parks

Safety Guidelines

Bring a compass.

Wear insect repellent.

Bring plenty of water.

Leave an activity plan with family and friends outlining where you will be and when you will return.

Temporary Closures

The Preserve may be temporarily closed on days of prescribed burns, wildfires, flooding or emergencies.

Entrance

Parking and entrance to the Preserve is located at 13305 Balm-Boyette Road, Riverview, FL 33579.

For Further Information

Interpretive group tours of the site are offered for a nominal fee (minimum 10 people).

Call 813-672-7876 to make arrangements.

Cover Image: Balm-Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve

Preserve Rules

Daily hours are sunrise to sunset.

Garbage must be carried out of the Preserve.

Park only at the designated location.

Dogs must be on hand-held leashes.

Unauthorized vehicles, motorcycles, ATV’s and bicycles are prohibited.

Swimming, hunting, digging, fires, and over-night camping are prohibited.

All plants and animals are protected.

Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances and Laws Part A Chapter 38 is in effect.

Note: Biking is not permitted on this trail.

Facilities

There is an informational kiosk located in the public parking area at 13305 Balm-Boyette Road.

There is a composting toilet located in the park-ing area at 13998 Balm-Boyette Road.

Trail Length

4 miles

Image: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Balm-Boyette Scrub

and Triple Creek

Nature Preserves

Hiking Trail Guide

13305 Balm-Boyette Road Riverview, FL 33579

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The 4933-acre Balm-Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve was purchased through joint fund-ing from Hillsborough County and its Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) and the State of Florida’s Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) Program.

Balm-Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve is a rarity due to the large area of undisturbed upland habitat that it contains, especially the rare scrub habitat. Natural habitats within the site include sand pine scrub, xeric oak scrub, pine flatwoods, hardwood hammock, wet prairie, freshwater marsh, cypress swamp, and hardwood swamp. Many protected species of plants and animals have been documented on the site including Florida golden aster, Curtiss’ milk-weed, Eastern indigo snake, Sherman’s fox Squirrel, Florida sandhill crane, Southern American Kestrel and Gopher tortoise.

Triple Creek Preserve adjoins Balm-Boyette Scrub’s north boundary. Triple Creek got its name from the three creeks that run through portions of the property—Bell Creek, Boggy Creek, and Fish Hawk Creek, all of which flow into the Alafia River. The 971-acre Preserve has a mix of wetland and upland habitat types, including pine flatwoods, wetland forests, and improved pasture areas. It is home to many rare spe-cies of plants and animals including flakelet fern and grass-pink orchids. Triple Creek was jointly purchased by ELAPP and the Florida Communities Trust (FCT).

Welcome to the

Balm-Boyette Scrub & Triple Creek

Nature Preserves

Parking

Hiking Trail

Composting Toilet Facilities

- Preserve Boundary