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Canoeing & Kayaking

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Hillsborough River State Park, Tampa FL
This page Copyright 1999 Alfonso Vazquez-Cuervo - See Terms of Use

Our Route Summary

  • Submitted by: Al Vazquez
  • Date Submitted: 4/99
  • Email: alvazquez@kayakguide.com
  • Location: Hillsborough River State Park, Thonotosassa FL
  • Class: Typically flat water
  • Distance Paddled: round trip distance is up to you, or you may paddle to another takeout (see map link below)
  • Water: fresh
  • Wildlife: oaks draped with Spanish Moss, sabal palms, magnolias, fish

Entry and Exit

  • Directions: 12 miles north of Tampa or six miles south of Zephyrhills on U.S. 301
  • Telephone 813-987-6771.
  • GPS: N 28 deg 08.927' W 082 deg 14.085'
  • Fee: $3.25 per vehicle (up to 8 people)
  • Description: Paved boat ramps with adjacent sand launch areas
  • Parking: paved parking near launch
  • Facilities: Canoe livery, rest rooms, picnic areas, lunch concession, camping, Fort Foster Historic Site

Click to See Canoe Trail Map

What We Saw

As you'll see on the map at left, this state park launch point is one of many access points to the Hillsborough River, one of the most organized and well mapped canoe trials anywhere. And access points are conveniently located in and near Tampa.
We headed left from the launch area for an impromptu canoe trip.

In the summer on weekends, you may want to call ahead if you plan to rent canoes as the wait can be long.

  
  You'll pass upland hammocks of large oaks and magnolia trees as well an an occasional wayward palm tree stretched over the river.

Leave time to tour the Fort Foster Historic Site in the park. It has a reconstruction of a fort that existed during the second Seminole War around in 1837.