Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park is a historic park located in downtown Tampa, Florida.


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Summary

The park is situated on the banks of the Hillsborough River and covers an area of 3.5 acres. The park is named after a Native American chief who lived in the area before the arrival of European settlers.

There are several good reasons to visit Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. The park offers a peaceful and serene environment, with lush greenery, walking paths, and benches where visitors can relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The park also provides access to the Hillsborough River, where visitors can rent kayaks and canoes and explore the river. The park is also home to several events throughout the year, such as the Tampa Riverwalk Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration and the Mayor's River O'Green Festival.

There are several points of interest to see at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. The park is home to the Tampa Bay History Center, which showcases the history and culture of the Tampa Bay area. The park also features a large monument dedicated to Andrew Jackson, who established Fort Brooke in the area in 1824. Additionally, the park has a playground for children, picnic areas, and a dog park.

Some interesting facts about Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park include that it was once the site of a military fort that was instrumental in the Seminole Wars of the 19th century. The park is also located near the site where Tampa was founded, and was once home to a thriving Seminole village.

The best time of year to visit Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park is during the cooler winter months, from December to February, when the weather is mild and comfortable. However, the park is open year-round and can be visited at any time of the year.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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