Great Escape: Edward Medard Park

The Edward Medard Regional Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Rd., is tucked away in eastern Hillsborough County between Brandon and Plant City.

Hillsborough County invites you to discover its splendor during July, National Park and Recreation Month.

Edward Medard Park extends along 1,284 acres owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), where a water control structure and reservoir offer flood protection along the Alafia River.

In 1972, under an agreement with the district, Hillsborough County developed this site as one of its largest and most popular regional parks. 

Although the park’s main attraction, a 700-acre reservoir used for canoeing, boating and fishing, is currently closed to allow water to raise naturally after a SWFWMD levee reconstruction project, Edward Medard Park still has much to offer.

Located on what was once a phosphate mining site, the park offers unique topography with elevation changes that have become very popular for children’s play. A 3-mile trail that is accessible (dry) most of the year offers equestrians and hikers a pleasant trip through pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks.

For overnight stays, the park has 40 campsites to accommodate both RV and primitive camping, including two group sites. All campsites are full service, each providing a picnic table, electricity, a fire ring and water.

Public restrooms with showers and an RV dump station are also available.

Edward Medard Park also offers picnic shelters, a boardwalk, a playground, a beach volleyball court and an observation platform overlooking the reservoir.

Unique to Edward Medard Park is a new disc golf course. Although the course has not yet been dedicated, and staff are adding finishing touches, the course is now open to the public. Disc golf is similar in objective to traditional golf; the goal is to complete each hole with the fewest attempts. In this game, however, players throw specially made plastic flying discs at above-ground targets instead of using clubs to direct balls to holes in the ground.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is an entry fee of $2 per vehicle carrying up to eight people and $1 for each additional person. An annual entrance pass is $50 individual, $100 family. Shelter rental is $40/day, small shelter; $70/day, medium shelter. Campsites are $24 per night, $18 per night for seniors.

Camping is on a first-come, first-served basis; reservations are not accepted. Campers must register with the office before taking a campsite. 

For more information on Edward Medard Regional Park, contact 813-757-3802. To rent a shelter, call 813-931-RENT.