Field guide
Recommended running routes in Tampa for visitors
Find practical information on running routes in Tampa. This guide covers the paved paths of Bayshore Boulevard and the Tampa Riverwalk for walkers and runners.
Tampa offers visitors several paved routes for running and walking. The city's primary options include the long, continuous sidewalk along Bayshore Boulevard and the downtown path of the Tampa Riverwalk.
Bayshore Boulevard is suited for distance runs, with mile and kilometer markers and fitness stations. The Tampa Riverwalk provides a shorter route through the city's center along the river, incorporating public art and historical monuments.
| Place | Distance (official) | Hours | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayshore Boulevard | Not listed | Sunrise to sunset | 10-foot-wide |
| Tampa Riverwalk | 2.4 miles; 2.6 miles | Not listed | uninterrupted sidewalk |
Bayshore Boulevard
This route is a 10-foot-wide sidewalk that starts at the Columbus Statue Park at Platt Street and ends at Gandy Boulevard. Runners can track their distance using the fifteen bronze markers embedded in the path that denote each mile, half mile, and kilometer.
Amenities include benches, a water fountain, bicycle parking, and fitness stations. A three-mile on-road bike lane runs along the north-bound lane between Rome Avenue and Gandy Boulevard. Parking is available at Ballast Point Park and Fred Ball Park.
- Type of path
- 10-foot-wide sidewalk
- Address
- 312 Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33611
- Trail start and end points
- Starts on the north at the Columbus Statue Park at Platt Street and ends at Gandy Boulevard
- On-road bike lane length
- three-mile
- Sidewalk width
- 10-foot-wide
- Operating hours
- Sunrise to sunset
- Parking availability
- Available at Ballast Point Park and Fred Ball Park
- Transit access
- Accessible via a Coast Bike station located at Rome St. or the Pirate Water Taxi stop located at the Gasparilla Pirate ship dock near the Platt St. Bridge
Source: Bayshore Linear Park Trail (tampa.gov). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Bayshore Boulevard parking and trail guide for runners
Tampa Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk is an uninterrupted sidewalk that follows the Hillsborough River through downtown. Official sources list its length as between 2.4 and 2.6 miles. The path also serves as a historical monument trail.
The northern-most segment, completed in the summer of 2016, features permanent art installations, sculptures, and murals. The Riverwalk is managed by a local non-profit organization.
- Type of place
- sidewalk along the Hillsborough River
- Managed by
- Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk (local non-profit)
- Location
- along the Hillsborough River, through the heart of downtown Tampa
- Length (Source 0)
- 2.4 miles
- Length (Source 2)
- 2.6 miles
- Surface
- uninterrupted sidewalk
- Historical monument trail
- yes
- Northern-most segment features
- permanent art installations, sculptures, glass installation, murals
Sources: Information for Visitors (tampa.gov), www.thetampariverwalk.com (thetampariverwalk.com). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Tampa Riverwalk trail and parking information
Before you go
- Bayshore Boulevard is open from sunrise to sunset, so check these times before an early or late run.
- Both routes are on paved sidewalks shared with other pedestrians and, in some areas, cyclists.
- A water fountain is available along Bayshore Boulevard, but it is a good practice to carry your own water.
- Parking for Bayshore Boulevard is located at specific access points, including Ballast Point Park and Fred Ball Park.
- Fishing is not permitted from the Bayshore Boulevard trail.
More cities: City running and hiking guides.