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Hillsborough River State Park
Nearby Parks:
Ybor City Museum State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Hillsborough River State Park
15402 U.S. 301
North Thonotosassa, Florida 33592
Phone: 813-987-6771
Reservations: 800-326-3521
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Reservations: |
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Reservations: 
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| State Park Overview: |
| Opened in 1938 as one of Florida?s first state parks, this park is divided by the swiftly flowing Hillsborough River. Fort Foster, a replica of an 1837 fort from the Second Seminole War, is located on the park grounds, adjacent to the river. Fort tours are offered on weekends or with a reservation. The river provides opportunities for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking; a canoe/kayak launch is available on the river. Canoes can be rented at the park?s concession, which also provides food, beverages, picnic supplies, and souvenirs. Hikers can walk over seven miles along four nature trails. The Wetlands Restoration Trail accommodates bicyclists and hikers. When the weather calls for it, visitors can enjoy a refreshing swim in the park?s ADA accessible swimming pool. The park offers full-facility camping and a youth/group tent campground. A primitive campsite is available via foot trail; reservations are recommended. Located 12 miles north of Tampa and six miles south of Zephyrhills on U.S. 301. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| A variety of habitats in Hillsborough River State Park including pine flatwoods, floodplain swamp, hardwood hammock, cypress swamp, and grass pond allow for diverse plant and animal communities to be observed by our visitors. Whether on a trail or picnicking by the man-made swimming hole, bring your binoculars to get a good look at the wildlife. Additional information about identified animals seen in Hillsborough River State Park can be found in the Ranger Station. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Peaceful, Quiet, and very clean!!!
My Family and I enjoyed a beautiful sunny day at the picnic tables near the pool. It was wonderful! We brought lots of food and had a cook out. The children played at the pool all day, and later in the evening we walked the trails enjoying the scenery. Its lots of fun and a great place to hang out with family and friends.
(name not given)
22-May-2008
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The BEST
I recently spent three nights at the Park with my companion. This was my third trip there and I enjoy it more with each trip. And I will return. The camp sites are immaculate.
Written by Max
19-Oct-2008
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INCREDIBLE
I LIKE THIS PARTICULAR PLACE BECAUSE OF NATURE ITSELF ,MOST OF THE PARK IS INTACT OF NEW ADVANCES SO IT REMINDED ME HOW THINS USED TO BE ,OLD SCHOOL
Written by EL MONGO101
26-Dec-2008
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Great Place for Families
I large variety of inexpensive family entertainment amongst a group of nice people.
Written by The Dills and a Giacobbe
16-Aug-2009
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| Camping: |
| Full Facility Camping
RV and Tent camping is available with electric on most of the campsites in our 108 site campground. Each site is equipped with water, a fire ring and picnic table. The Campground offers a dump station for your convenience since sewer hookups are not available on each campsite at this time. Pets are allowed with restrictions. Shopping is available at the park?s Outpost concession with basic food items and merchandise. Exhibits are located throughout the park. Swimming is available in ? acre man-made swimming area. The park offers many planned activities year-round. For more information on camping in our park simply click on the Reserve America link. Clicking on the park map or selecting one of the camping area links just below the park map will allow you to see a map of the individual campsite locations. Select any campsite icon to see a detailed description of the individual campsite and what it has to offer.
Primitive Camping
A primitive camp, located across the river is available via foot trail and reservations are recommended.
Youth Camping
The youth camping area can handle groups up to 60 people at one time. |
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| Area Activities |
| Fishing Charters | |  | Flatwater Adventure Tours - Brooksville, FL
Flatwater Guide has two astonishing adventures to choose from. Bass Fishing and a Nature/Scenic tour. Fish for Largemouth Bass in remote areas of the Withlacoochee
River, where it's not uncommon to fish all day and not see another living soul. You could also choose a lazy canoe tour up and down the pristine Weeki Wachee Springs
canoe trail where you can see tons of different fish, wildlife and see the amazing Manatees in their natural habitat.
Web Site: http://www.flatwaterguide.com/Home_Page.html |
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| Picnicking: |
| Visitors can picnic under one of the pavilions built by the CCC in the 1930s or at one of the other open picnic benches available throughout the park. Seven pavilions are available to rent. Call the Ranger?s Station for more information and availability at 813-987-6771. A fact sheet is provided for your information. For larger groups the Recreation Hall is available to rent. |
| Boating: |
| Canoeing & Kayaking
Canoeing is a popular activity in the park. Visitors may bring their own canoe or rent one at the park. Florida Sports Paddling Club a local paddling club, enjoys the park?s river access and makes regular use of it, contact them for more information about club activities at Hillsborough River State Park. |
| Swimming: |
| The park offers seasonal swimming in an ADA accessible man-made swimming pool. Pool fees are per day per person for peoples ages 6 and up, children 5 years and younger are free, fees are paid at pool entrance. See Ranger Station for seasonal availability dates. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Park visitors can fish in the Hillsborough River for bass, bream and catfish. A Florida freshwater fishing license is required for all anglers. |
| History of the Area: |
| Hillsborough River State Park is significant in the twentieth century history of Florida as one of 9 elements of the New Deal-inspired Florida state park system and as one of the physical expressions of early-twentieth century recreation planning. In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was the first New Deal agency to begin operations in Florida. From 1933 to 1942 the CCC and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) programs constructed an impressive collection of facilities throughout Florida.
A considerable portion of the public recreation facilities created by these programs is preserved in the state park system?s New Deal era parks: Florida Caverns State Park, Torreya State Park, Fort Clinch State Park, O?Leno State Park, Gold Head Branch State Park, Ravine State Gardens, Hillsborough River State Park, Highlands Hammock State Park and Myakka River State Park.
Land acquisition for Hillsborough River State Park began in 1934, and the park officially became part of the Florida state park system in 1935. The CCC began work at Hillsborough River State Park in 1934, when Company 1418 was transferred from Sebring to the small community of Sulphur Springs, northeast of Tampa. CCC Camp SP-71 served primarily as a forestry unit, erecting fire towers, planting seedlings and constructing fire lanes throughout Hillsborough County.
In 1934, a detachment of 60 CCC enrollees were sent from the camp to develop Hillsborough River State Park, under the supervision of the National Park Service. The state park was largely complete by July, 1938, when Camp SP-71 at Sulphur Springs was evacuated. The caretaker?s cottage, support buildings and the suspension bridge at Hillsborough River State Park were constructed between 1934 and 1936. Most of the park?s recreational facilities (including 5 overnight cabins that were subsequently removed) were constructed between 1935 and 1938. Additional wood frame and native stone residences were constructed by park personnel, and several picnic shelters and a boat house were constructed between 1939 and 1941 from NPS plans, probably by the Florida Park Service or its contractors.
The park consists of 1,040 upland acres, and 2,343 wetland/submerged acres for a total of 3,383 acres. Acquisition began in June, 1934. |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Hillsborough River State Park - Hillsborough River State Park Overview | | Hillsborough River State Park, Florida - Hillsborough River State Park University of Florida Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plant Information Retrieval System ... are images of Hillsborough River State Park, Florida, located about ... | | Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society, Inc. - ... the NEW Hotbot Tell me when this page is updated Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society, Inc. About Us | History ... to preserving Hillsborough River State Park and Fort Foster State ... | | Hillsborough River State Park - Florida information. Online hotel reservations, attractions and events. Florida State parks and ... Alphabetical Region: Southwest HILLSBOROUGH RIVER STATE PARK Thonotosassa, Florida Contact Information ... | | Field Trip Guide and Exercise: Hillsborough River State Park - Field Trip Guide and Exercise: Hillsborough River State Park. Directions: From USF -- -- Fowler Ave. East to US 301 N. -- US 301 N approx..10 miles. -- Park Entrance on the left. The... |
| Nature Programs: |
| Guided Tours
Fort Foster is the only standing replica of a Second Seminole War Fort in the United States. Guided Tours of Fort Foster are offered; weather permitting, every weekend, Saturdays at 2 pm and Sundays at 11 am. The fees are $2.00 per person 13 years and older and $1.00 for children ages 6 to 12, children 5 years and younger are free. Meet at the Interpretive Center for the tour. If you have any questions please call the Ranger Station for more information. |
| Directions: |
| Hillsborough River State Park is located 9 miles north of Tampa and 6 miles south of Zephyrhills on US Highway 301.
From I-75, Southbound from Ocala take the SR 54. Exit #279 east to Hwy 301, travel South for 6 miles, and the park will be on your right-hand side.
From I-75, Northbound from Tampa take the Fowler Ave. Exit #265 east to Hwy 301, travel North for 9 miles, and the park will be on your left-hand side.
From I-4, West bound take Exit 10 go north on CR 579 to US 301, follow the signs and go North 7 miles the park will be on your left-hand side.
From I-4, East bound take Exit 7 (be careful of the merges) and go North on US 301 for 14 miles, the park will be on your left-hand side. |
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USA
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