I always like driving up to a park’s entrance and seeing a nice, windy road with nothing but green on either side. That usually means that even if the hiking trails aren’t much to write home about, the drive will be scenic.
I was interested in this park because the website said they had “Class 2 rapids.”
When I hear the word “rapids,” I have this mental image of raging waters going on for miles and miles, crashing over and around huge boulders, sort of like the image on the right. I imagine rugged individuals braving the odds in their tiny canoes or kayaks.
Clearly, I’ve seen too many action movies. I mean, who’s heard of rapids in Florida?
I underestimated what it means to be a “rapid.” I hiked up to see this – what? – 3-foot span in the center of an otherwise placid stream?
Don’t get me wrong. Despite the miniscule rapids, they do qualify and I did enjoy them. This park turned out to be much more interesting than I had imagined.
I’m not sure what it is, but time and time again the things I think I’ll love are disappointing and the things I’m not excited about turn out to be favorites. Such was my time in HIllsborough River State Park. I loved it.
There are miles of hiking trails. The map you’re given at the entrance gives you the length of each trail so you can choose your poison. I like to hike so I meandered down a couple of the trails and ended up walking about 3 1/2 miles. What I particularly loved was that the landscape continually changed. One minute I was walking through quiet forest with towering oaks and palms and a gentle breeze, and the next I was overlooking the gurgling water – and I mean right next to the water. If I’d stumbled over a root or leaned too far beyond the stone edging, I’d have been right in the drink.
The trails have plenty of places to sit and rest, and posted signs describing the native flora, fauna and animals. The main trail opens onto a wide-open picnic area and if you keep going, there’s a great suspension bridge where you can stop and appreciate the surrounding beauty.
I took a moment to sit, acclimate myself, and decide which way I wanted to go. It’s these quiet moments that often yield the best surprises. If I hadn’t taken the time to stop along the way, I’d have missed the braided token left on the tree branch. It piqued my interest. Who made it? What was it for? Why was it here? As well as it blended in with the surroundings, I’d have missed if I’d hurried past, determined to hike but not truly looking around.
All in all, I liked the twists and turns in the trails, the access to the water, and the unexpected change in the landscape; I liked the brightly colored canoes heading down the river; and I even appreciated the controlled fires that were being closely watched by a bazillion fire personnel near the entrance.
Hillsborough River State Park is worth your time. It’s right outside of Tampa. Go see it.
- 15402 US 301 N., Thobotosassa, Florida
- 813-688-9500 or 813-664-8700
- http://www.floridastateparks.org
- $6 for one car but only $4 for a single individual
- River Rapids Trail – 1.2 miles / Baynard Trail – 1.1 miles / Seminole Trail – 3.2 mile loop / Wetlands Restoration Trail 1.6 miles / Fort King Trail – 6.7 miles (listed on the map as “strenuous hiking”)
- Not accessible-friendly trails
Lisa Browder 
Leave a comment