Copyright: Florida Division of Recreation & Parks
Hillsborough River State Park
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Upon entering Hillsborough River State Park, a one-way road circling the south side of the Hillsborough River greets you. The first stopping opportunity after the ranger station is the small museum. This museum and Fort Foster, located across US 301, are good places to stretch your legs and absorb the rich local history. The next stop along the one-way road is a parking lot where a wide paved path leads to an overlook of Florida's only class II rapids. The walkway and overlook are handicapped accessible. From here, visitors can head west on the boardwalk that parallels the river's bluff. After a short distance, the boardwalk becomes a path leading to a suspension bridge. From the suspension bridge, hikers may choose to cross the river or head south along the same path, which circles back to the overlook trail. If hikers choose to cross the suspension bridge, they'll be on one of two north side trails. The Baynard Trail is approximately 1 mile round-trip through a hammock of live oaks and sabal palms dotted with an understory of resurrection ferns. Keep a watchful eye for rooted areas resulting from hungry ferel pigs. These pigs are shy and nonaggressive but play havoc on the environment. About midway on the Baynard Trail, hikers can continue west onto the 3.4-mile Hillsborough Trail (part of the Florida Trail), cross the stationary bridge to the picnic area, or circle back to the suspension bridge. The Hillsborough Trail has similar habitat with several boardwalks and access to primitive camping. Back near the park's entrance (actually the end of the loop road), the Wetlands Restoration Trail offers a 1.5-mile one-way trail through pine flatwoods and open field.Note: Two large parking areas along the one-way road, provide access to the recreation hall, swimming, pool and large picnic area. From these lots, small undesignated trails carry visitors to the overlook and to the bridges leading to the trails on the north side of the river.
Directions from Zephyrhills, FL: Travel six mile south along U.S. Highway 301 to reach the park entrance. Follow the one-way loop park road to any of the three northern parking lots. Trails follow the river bluff.
Seasonal Information:
Normally Open:
Year-round .
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