Hillsborough River State Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hillsborough River State Park is a 2,800-acre park located in Thonotosassa, Florida.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

It was established in 1938 and is one of Florida's oldest state parks. The park is home to numerous hiking trails, picnic areas, and recreational facilities.

One of the main attractions of the park is the Hillsborough River, which provides opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Visitors can rent canoes and kayaks from the park's concession stand. The park also features a large swimming pool and a playground for children.

Some of the specific points of interest to see in the park include the rapids along the Hillsborough River, the historic Fort Foster site, and the Seminole Indian War-era interpretive center. The park also has several campsites and cabins for overnight stays.

Interesting facts about the park include that it was once home to a thriving Native American community, and that it was used as an army training ground during World War II. The park was also the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in the 1930s.

The best time of year to visit Hillsborough River State Park is during the fall and winter months when the weather is cooler and more pleasant for outdoor activities. The park is open year-round, however, and visitors can enjoy the park's facilities and attractions throughout the year.

       

Weather Forecast

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.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks