Hillsborough River State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hillsborough River State Park
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Hillsborough River
Hillsborough River State Park Location in Florida
Location	Hillsborough County, Florida
Nearest city	Tampa and Zephyrhills
Area	3,383 acres (13.69 km2)
Established	1935
Governing body	Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Hillsborough River State Park is a cool place to visit in Hillsborough County, Florida. It's close to cities like Tampa and Zephyrhills. This makes it a popular spot for people to enjoy nature.

The park covers more than 2,990 acres. It has over seven miles of trails for you to explore. You can go fishing, canoeing, or kayaking on the river. Many people also enjoy picnicking, camping, and birdwatching. It's a great place for hiking and nature photography. The park even has award-winning campgrounds. You can rent canoes and bicycles right at the park.

Discovering the Park's Nature

Much of Hillsborough River State Park is covered by live oak trees. These areas are called hammocks. Some parts of the park are swampy. But most of the forest near the river is higher up. This means it doesn't flood very often.

The Hillsborough River and Its Rapids

The park is split in half by the Hillsborough River. This part of the river flows quickly. It has several small rapids, including some that are Class II. This means they are a bit bumpy but still fun for experienced paddlers. The river is known as a blackwater river. It's one of the few rivers in Florida that has a system of rapids.

Plants and Trees You Might See

Near the park's entrance, you'll find lots of pine trees. There are also many saw palmetto plants. These are common plants in Florida. The park's different environments support many kinds of plants.

A Look Back in Time

Hillsborough River State Park has a rich history. It is one of the first eight Florida State Parks ever created.

How the Park Was Built

The park was first built in 1938. It was constructed by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program during the Great Depression. It helped young men find jobs building parks and other public works. Some of their original buildings are still here. These include the park offices and the Interpretive Center. The cool suspension bridge and some fences were also built by the CCC. Their work shows a special building style called rustic architecture.

Fort Foster and the Seminole War

Inside the park, you can find a copy of Fort Foster. The original fort was built in 1836. This was during the Second Seminole War. This war was a conflict between the United States and the Seminole people. You can take tours of the fort on weekends. This is the only way to see it up close. Sometimes, special events happen there. People dress up as "soldiers" from the past. They show you what life was like at the fort.

The Interpretive Center is near the park's old entrance. It has many artifacts from the war. You can see over 100 objects on display. These items tell the story from both sides of the conflict.

Gallery

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  Red-shouldered hawk

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  Seminole War Reenactors

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  Sandhill crane

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  Paddling on the Hillsborough River

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  Alligator on the river

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  On the Hillsborough River

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  Suspension bridge

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  Walkway by the Hillsborough River

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  The Amphitheater

Climate at the Park

This table shows the weather information for Hillsborough River State Park. It includes average temperatures and rainfall throughout the year.