The island was home to a 1920s silent movie studio called 'Weedon Island' that produced films before moving to Hollywood.
Archaeologists have discovered pottery and tools here dating back to the Weeden Island culture, a major prehistoric archaeological sequence in the Southeast U.S.
The island serves as an important site for nesting bald eagles and osprey.
During the Prohibition era, the island’s remote location and deep water channels made it a suspected landing spot for rum-runners.
The 45-foot observation tower is built to withstand high coastal winds and provides an unobstructed view of the Gandy Bridge.
Much of the interior of the preserve is composed of ancient shell mounds, which are elevated landforms created by human debris over centuries.
The preserve contains a rare remnant of an upland pine flatwood forest that is largely gone from the surrounding developed areas.
Weedon Island Preserve is a 3,190-acre natural area located on the western shore of Tampa Bay. The preserve protects an extensive mangrove ecosystem that serves as a vital nursery for marine life and a habitat for migratory birds. It features an elevated observation tower providing panoramic views of the bay and the St. Petersburg skyline. The Cultural and Natural History Center offers exhibits detailing the indigenous Tapu-te-que people who inhabited the island for centuries. Hiking options include the 4-mile Boy Scout Loop and the shorter Mangrove Bay boardwalk. Paddlers can navigate a marked 4-mile canoe and kayak trail through winding mangrove tunnels. The site is a designated Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail location. The area sits on a peninsula formed by prehistoric shell middens. The preserve serves as a significant research site for Pinellas County environmental restoration projects.
The top level of the 45-foot observation tower at sunset.
Bring polarized sunglasses to better spot marine life like manatees and rays in the shallow mangrove waters.
Apply insect repellent before entering the wooded hiking trails, especially during the humid summer months.
Check the tide charts before kayaking, as low tides can make the marked mangrove tunnels difficult to navigate.
Do not attempt to walk off-trail into the mudflats or mangrove roots, as these are protected zones and difficult to traverse.
Closed on Mondays and major holidays.
Stay on marked trails to protect sensitive shell middens; carry out all trash; pets are prohibited on the boardwalks and nature trails.
