Hiking at Hillsborough River State Park

If you love hiking near Tampa and have considered hiking at Hillsborough River State Park, here’s all the information you need to plan the perfect trip to this popular park. The Hillsborough River State Park trails offer options to choose from, including trails of varying lengths and difficulties. Below we share information about each trail and the Hillsborough River State Park Trail Map.

• Distance: up to 20 miles
• Type: loop, out and back
• Elevation: flat
• Difficulty: easy to moderate
• Duration: 1-10 hours
• Trailhead Address: 15402 US 301 North (Hillsborough River State Park Main Entrance) and 15002 Model Dairy Rd (Fort King Trail), Thonotosassa
• Parking: Multiple; $6 park entrance fee at Hillsborough River State Park and $2 parking fee at Fort King Trail trailhead

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River Rapids Trail

The River Rapids Trail at Hillsborough State Park is the best way to see the Class II river rapids in the Hillsborough River. Hikers access this trail from either Parking Lot 2 or Parking Lot 3. Much of the trail follows the river providing beautiful views of the clear water and treed reflections.

Benches give visitors somewhere to sit and enjoy the scenery and tired children a place to rest.. At the end of the trail, two observation decks allow people to view the rapids and enjoy the beauty of the jungle-like setting that surrounds the river. At just over one mile, the River Rapids Trail can be considered easy and suitable for all skill levels.

Baynard Trail

From the main picnic area, cross the suspension bridge to reach the Baynard Trail. If one takes the trail to the left, it forks after a quarter mile, the left fork heading to the Seminole Trail and primitive camping. The right fork is the Baynard Trail.

This trail loops a little over a mile through a hydric hammock ecosystem. A hydric hammock is a hardwood or palm forest whose understory is dominated by ferns or palms. The soil is moist and characterized by periods of flooding. It’s as jungle-like as Florida gets, the kind of landscape we see around undeveloped rivers and creeks.

Short boardwalks punctuate the trail, raising hikers above the moist ground. Part of the trail also passes beside the river providing glimpses of tree reflections in the clear water.

Seminole Trail

The Seminole Trail can be accessed from the Baynard Trail or directly from the stationary bridge at Parking Lot 4. This trail is completely shaded for it’s 3.4 mile duration. The terrain is much the same as that found on the Baynard Trail. About half of this trail follows the river, providing excellent opportunities to view wildlife such as birds and alligators. Groups using the primitive camping sites access them via this trail as well.

Wetlands Restoration Trail

Hikers who want to experience the Wetlands Trail can do so from inside Hillsborough River State Park or at a separate entrance for the Fort King Trail. While the other trails in the park are mostly shaded and all connect, the Wetlands Trail sits away from those with a short half mile leg leading from the park to the Fort King Trail where the Wetlands Trail forks off. The trail loops to the Hillsborough River and back for a total length of 3.2 miles. Much of the trail follows the Model Dairy Road making it a wide and mostly sunny trail.

Fort King Trail

The Fort King Trail is the largest of the trails at or near Hillsborough River State Park. This trail isn’t actually located within the park but can be accessed via the Wetlands Restoration Trail from within the park. Alternately, hikers can access it outside of the park from a separate trailhead south of the park.

The Fort King Trail is an out and back trail just over 13 miles in length from the state park to John Sargeant Park. Two miles of this trail are paved while the rest is rough terrain. The trail gets its name because it follows the route of Old Fort King Road, an 1800s road between Fort King in Ocala and Fort Brooke in Tampa. The path of that road may have originally stemmed from a Native American trail.

Other Things to Do at Hillsborough River State Park

One of the oldest parks in the Florida State Park system, a day at Hillsborough River State Park offers a number of other activities besides hiking. Many groups and large families use the picnic pavilions for gatherings. More than one hundred camping sites at the popular campground remain filled throughout the year. There is also a public pool, café, kayak launch, playgrounds, and an interpretive historic exhibit about nearby Fort Foster.

Fun Facts About Hillsborough River State Park

• Hillsborough River State Park is approximately 3,000 acres.
• It abuts to Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve which is one of the largest preserves in Hillsborough County.
• Hillsborough River State Park is home to one of the more unique features in a Florida state park – Class II river rapids.
• The river was named in the late 1700s for Wills Hills, the British Colonial Secretary and Lord Earl of Hillsborough. 
• Much of the land which is now the park was once a dairy farm.
• Hillsborough River State Park is one of Florida’s oldest state parks. It opened in 1935.
• Many of the park’s structures and the suspension bridge are examples of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) style of rustic architecture from the 1930s.
• Animals found at Hillsborough River State Park include white-tailed deer, bobcat, wild turkeys, otters, alligators, and coyotes.

More Information for Hiking at Hillsborough River State Park

If you plan to go hiking at Hillsborough River State Park, plan your day according to the season. From October/November to March, the weather will generally be cooler and the humidity less stifling. In April and May, the heat ramps up but the ground remains drier. These are typically our drought months. From July to October, rains pour down nearly every day in the afternoon. The heat and humidity make hiking potentially dangerous, especially for anyone who is not accustomed to Florida’s heat and humidity. Additional general tips:

• Wear weatherproof shoes, especially in the summer when you might encounter water on the trails.
• Bring water on the trails with you. There are no drink stations on the trails though there are water fountains at the restrooms near the picnic areas. Bring more water than you think you’ll need, especially if it’s hot out.
• Wear a hat.
• Bring sunscreen and bug spray.
• Bring your camera or phone for pictures.
• Bring your phone for emergencies.

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Hiking Resources:

Hiking Boots: My go-to hiking boot is Merrell’s Waterproof Hiking Boot. It’s extremely comfortable, lightweight, and water-resistant – perfect for Florida!

Hiking Day Pack: This daypack from Waterfly has been the best addition to my outdoor gear this year. I often take my camera and phone as well as the water we have to have in Florida’s heat. This pack is lightweight and has tons of pockets for storing everything I need to take with me.

Swell Water Bottle: I most often take my Swell bottles with me because they keep water cold, a must for me when hiking in Florida’s heat.

Collapsible Water Bottle: This is a great water bottle to keep in a hiking pack and fill at home or keep in the car in case you forget your Swell bottle at home.

Walking Poles: Though Florida’s mostly flat, there are places and times when walking poles are useful. I love these for their durability and because they’re collapsible so are easy to carry and store.

Hotels: We use Booking.com for lodging when we’re ready to compare and book hotels.