Hillsborough River State Park, State park in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Hillsborough River State Park is a natural area near Tampa featuring a flowing river running through dense woodlands. The landscape includes cypress swamps, oak-covered ridges, and calm waters that visitors explore on foot and by canoe.
Hillsborough River State Park is one of the eight original Florida State Parks created in 1938. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the park, and original structures remain: the buildings now housing the administrative offices and Interpretive Center, the suspension bridge, and a section of fence, all in National Park Service rustic style.
Fort Foster, built in 1836, tells the story of early conflicts in the region through its remaining structures and exhibits. The site helps visitors understand how this area was shaped by encounters between settlers and Seminole people.
The park offers marked trails for hiking, camping areas, and boat launch points along the river. Wear sturdy shoes and come prepared for heat and insects, especially during the wetter months.
The Hillsborough River's rapids include Class II sections, making it one of the few Florida rivers with a rapids system. The park's suspension bridge, a CCC structure, crosses this swiftly flowing stretch. Canoes and bicycles can be rented inside the park for exploring the water and the more than seven miles of trails.
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