Hillsborough River State Park Campground sits 30 minutes northeast of Tampa, offering 112 sites spread across multiple loops under a dense hardwood canopy. Most sites include electric and water hookups, and the park provides access to Florida's rare Class II rapids, seven miles of trails, and canoe rentals. Nightly fees run $6, and reservations open 11 months ahead.
Offers tent and RV camping with electric on most of the 112 sites, plus Timberline Glamping and group primitive camping for organized groups (up to 60 people).
The park contains pavilions built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, constructed from stone and timber. Fort Foster State Historic Site sits nearby, a location used during the Second Seminole War. Weather and SeasonsFall brings the most comfortable conditions. Daytime highs reach the mid-70s to low-80s, nights drop into the 50s and 60s, and humidity falls compared to summer. River levels favor paddling and fishing, and insect pressure decreases. February also draws visitors for cooler weather with fewer bugs. Summer heat is significant, and afternoon thunderstorms arrive regularly. The park stays open year-round from 8 a.m. to sundown. Weekends and holidays draw heavy crowds from Tampa.
Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits beneath a mature hardwood hammock where towering oaks create heavy shade and a closed canopy. Limited natural light filters through to the forest floor. The Hillsborough River flows nearby with Class II rapids and a scenic suspension bridge, though the river isn't visible or audible from the campsites themselves. Alligators frequent the amber water. The park's seven miles of trails wind through diverse habitats including hardwood hammocks and riverbanks, though trail closures for maintenance are common. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and gopher tortoises live in the park. Mosquitoes are prevalent year-round.
Scenic ViewsScenic river rapids and river landscapes; historic picnic pavilions and wooded trail vistas.