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Hillsborough River State Park

Photo: Marcus Quigmire / CC BY-SA 2.0

🌊 Lakes & rivers

Hillsborough River State Park

Thonotosassa, FL · Tampa Bay

About

One of Florida's original state parks, carved out by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, this is one of the few places in the state where the river actually has rapids. The Hillsborough drops over a limestone ledge into a frothing Class II run, and a 1936 CCC wire suspension footbridge still sways across the water above it. Beyond the rapids you get more than seven miles of shaded trails through cypress and oak hammock, canoe and kayak rentals on calmer stretches, and a weekend-staffed replica of Fort Foster from the Second Seminole War.

Highlights

Class II rapids over a limestone ledge (rare in Florida)1936 CCC wire suspension footbridge across the riverSeven-plus miles of cypress and oak hammock trailsCanoe and kayak rentals on the calmer riverWeekend-staffed Fort Foster Seminole War replica

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Part of these collections

Curated guides that feature Hillsborough River State Park.

Florida State Parks26 places

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Florida's park service runs about 175 state parks, and these are the ones worth planning a trip around. Wild barrier islands and sugar-sand beaches, deep springs and dark caverns, 19th-century forts and prairies where bison still roam, from the Panhandle's emerald coast to the coral reefs of the Keys. The definitive short list, not the whole directory.