Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park

05/07/2026

WILDFIRE ALERT: Starkey Wilderness Park is closed due to an active wildfire. Please avoid the area so fire crews can work safely.

For additional information and updates on the fire please follow Florida Forest Service - Withlacoochee Forestry Center.

Updates on the reopening of Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park will be shared as they become available.

05/07/2026

🔥 Due to a wildfire, Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park's multi-use trail and hiking trails will be closed until further notice. We will keep you updated once these trails reopen.

05/05/2026

May is National Wetlands Month! Did you know wetlands make up almost a third of Florida’s habitats? They act as a natural control for flooding and erosion and support an amazing array of wildlife; some of which is only found in Florida! Follow along to learn more about our amazing wetlands here in Pasco.

To celebrate, Natural Resources will be holding a Wetlands Walk at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park on May 30th. Sign up here: tinyurl.com/PascoWetlandsWalk

04/24/2026

Attention: Please do not relocate animals, such as rattlesnakes to the park. This could disrupt wildlife as well as put yourself and park visitors at risk. We thank you for your cooperation.

04/23/2026

We still have SIX spots left for our summer day camp here at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park! Our summer nature camp program is full of many outdoor experiences, similar to our programs with Pasco Outdoor Adventures. For More Info & To Register Now Visit:

The below locations still have available spots for our full or partial weeks options:Ben Harrill Recreation Complex -HolidayVeterans Memorial Park - HudsonStarkey Wilderness Nature Camp - New Port RicheyJames Irvin Civic Center - Dade CityTo register for all 7 weeks, please choose both the 3 and 4 w...

04/20/2026

UPDATED 4/21 10:00 AM: Only the trail at 8-17 markers remains closed. All other areas are open, but we will keep you updated with any changes.

Notice: The Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park Bike & Multi-use trails will be temporarily closed due to wildfire activity in the area. We will update everyone once the trails have been reopened.

04/01/2026

There's still time to enter our Earth Day Photo Contest!🌎Check out the details below! ↓

We’re celebrating the upcoming Earth Day by showcasing the natural beauty of Pasco County parks, and we want to see nature through your lens! Whether it’s wildlife, greenery, sunsets, or your favorite outdoor moment, capture what inspires you in our parks and preserves.

How to Enter:
Submit ONE photo per person taken in any Pasco County Park or Preserve, and email it to [email protected] by April 12th. Please include the subject line “Earth Day Photo Contest”, the location where the photo was taken, and any additional details you’d like to share.

Community Voting:
All submitted photos will be posted on our social media on April 13th. The community will vote by commenting their favorite photo, and the photo with the most comments counted as votes wins. There will be 3 winners. Voting ends April 20 and winners will be announced on April 22, Earth Day!

Prizes:
🥇Grand Prize: Weekend Cabin Stay, 4 free Pasco Outdoor Adventure program tickets (up to $15/program), your photo featured on our Facebook cover, and a Parks swag bundle.
🥈2nd Place: Campsite weekend, Parks swag bundle, and your photo featured on our Facebook cover.
🥉3rd Place: Parks swag bundle and your photo featured on our Facebook cover.

Tips & Rules:
• Limit ONE contest entry per person. You may submit additional photos for general social media use, but only one will be entered into the contest.
• Photo must be taken in a Pasco County park or preserve.
• Use natural lighting and capture wildlife, plants, landscapes, or unique natural moments for the best results.
• High‑resolution photos are encouraged for best display quality.
• Participants must be 18 or older to submit (for communications and prize purposes). However, if the photographer is under 18, a parent or guardian can submit the photo on their behalf, just note that in the entry.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us or send us a direct message. We can’t wait to see your amazing shots of Pasco’s great outdoors! 🌤️🌿

Note:
We will NEVER ask for payment or sensitive personal information. Winners will only be contacted through the official [email protected] email. By submitting a photo, you give Pasco County permission to share your image on social media and promotional materials with credit. Photos must be original and taken by the person submitting. Pasco County may disqualify entries that do not follow contest rules.

03/30/2026

☀️ Summer Day Camp lottery details! ☀️ The lottery is for the full 7-week program and available to Pasco County residents only. When entering the lottery, you can choose up to three preferred locations and select either Linked Enrollment (siblings placed together) or Individual Enrollment (each child entered separately).

Key Dates:

* April 10th to April 13th - Lottery open.
* April 15th – Lottery results emailed. Winners get a registration link; others receive their waiting list number.
* April 18th – Last day to pay if selected. Payment due by 9 pm. or the spot is forfeited.

For full lottery details and guidelines, visit: tinyurl.com/summerdaycamppascofl

03/26/2026

Pasco County Summer Day Camp Details Are LIVE! 🌞

Registration is not open yet, but we are excited to announce that all information for the 2026 Summer Day Camp is now available on our website! From camp dates and locations to lottery registration, before and after care, EPIC program details, scholarships and CIT opportunities, everything you need to plan for an unforgettable summer is ready for you.

👉 Explore all the details here: tinyurl.com/SummerDayCampPascoFL

Have questions? Drop them in the comments, send us a message, or call the numbers listed on the webpage for each location. Let the countdown to summer begin!

02/04/2026