Hillsborough River State Park is a very large and older Florida State Park. It caters mostly to those who like to camp, swim, kayak, fish and hike their trails. They have a historical museum on-site which we, sadly, did not get to visit as well as an Olympic-sized pool for those who wish to swim. They also have golf carts for rent as well as little peddle cars that look like the old horse carriages. The campsites are rather slender in size as they are more concerned with volume than aesthetics. The park is arranged with a circular drive-in, one way in and one way out. If you miss your stop you have to travel around to near the beginning and try again. They get a lot of day visitors in the park and have a huge picnic area, lots of parking spaces and a little shop next to the pool area that you can get supplies and rent their equipment. I did get to walk one of the trails that lead from the first parking area down and along the river to the wooden suspension bridge and back through the large picnic area. It was very pretty throughout the hike.
There are three rings of camping areas of various sizes and shapes along with two different bathhouses and an extra bathroom located in the center of the camping loops that have coin washers and dryers. I believe they charge $2.00 per load. The bathhouses are fairly old and could use an update but they were cleaned and stocked when we used them. Inside the camping area, they have a lodge that you can rent out looking over the river. Also, in this area is an amphitheater section and the canoe launch. None of the sites have sewers on them and the dump station is located near the campground exit along with the pet walk area. There is a bulletin board leading into the camping area where the park rangers keep the campers informed of the many events they hold each month.
Hillsborough River State Park
15402 U.S. 301 North
Thonotosassa, Florida 33592
(813) 987-6771
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Hillsborough-River
Admission Fee:
$6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in the vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
$60.00 per busload of people or $2.00 per person, whichever is less.
Camping Fees:
$24.00 per night, plus tax. Includes water and electricity.
Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older or who hold a social security disability award certificate or a 100 percent disability award certificate from the Federal Government are permitted to receive a 50 percent discount on current base campsite fees. Proof of eligibility
Organized Youth or Adult Group Camping:
$1.00: Youths – $5.00: Adults
Deposit of $20.00 required at the time of reservation.
(Credited toward total amount on the day of arrival.)
Primitive Camping:
$5.00 Per person/per night
Canoes and Kayaks:
Canoe rentals—minimum of two hours for $25.00 per canoe, plus tax
*Three hours for $35.00, plus tax
*Four hours $40.0, plus tax
*All day $50.00, plus tax
Kayaks $15.00 an hour, plus tax
Bikes:
Regular bikes $10.00 an hour-1/2 day rental $20.00 plus tax—all day $25.00 plus tax.
2 person Surreys $ 20.00 plus tax an hour.
4 person Surreys $30.00 plus tax an hour..
Recreation Hall Pavilion Rental:
$200.00 + tax
Add $50.00 + tax: After hours (until 10pm)
$27.00 per hour: After hours security personnel / minimum of 3 hours
$100.00: Cleaning deposit (returned once facility is reviewed by park staff)
Pavilions:
$60.00 or $90.00 + tax: Seven pavilions are available to rent.
$50.00 Cleaning deposit (returned once facility is reviewed by park staff)
Fort Foster Historic Site Guided Tours:
$2.00 per person 13 years and older
$1.00 for children ages 6 to 12
Children 5 years and younger are free.
Golf Carts are available daily
Participants must be 18 years or older and hold a valid drivers license. A Credit Card deposit required.
4 Person Golf Cart: $35.00 for two hours/$50.00 for four hours/$75.00 per day
6 Person Golf Cart: $45.00 for two hours/$60.00 for four hours/$90.00 per day
98 Campsites
20Ft Back-In/30Amp – 1
25Ft Back-In/30Amp – 3
25Ft Pull-Through/30Amp – 2
25Ft Back-In/50Amp – 1
30Ft Back-In/30Amp – 7
30Ft Back-In/50Amp – 3
35Ft Back-In/30Amp – 9
35Ft Pull-Through/30Amp – 1
35Ft Back-In/50Amp – 7
40Ft Back-In/30Amp – 12
40Ft Back-In/50Amp – 20
45Ft Back-In/30Amp – 8
45Ft Pull-Through/30Amp – 1
45Ft Back-In/50Amp – 6
WHERE TO GET WHAT YOU NEED
GROCERIES
Hillsborough River Park Cafe and Store
Located in the park in the pool area
(813) 986-3322
https://hillsboroughparkcafe.com/
Winn Dixie
9535 E Fowler Ave
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 986-5798
https://www.winndixie.com/StoreDetails?search=777&zipcode=33592&distance=4.3816482940362063
Dollar General
9940 Rockhill Rd
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 436-3094
GAS
Citgo
11931 N U.S. Highway 301
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 986-4461
Shell
12850 Morris Bridge Rd
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 986-2677
Presco Food Store
11931 N U.S. Highway 301
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 986-4986
301 Deli Mart Inc
11511 N U.S. Highway 301
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 986-1250
RESTAURANTS
Hillsborough River Park Cafe and Store
Located in the park in the pool area
(813) 986-3322
https://hillsboroughparkcafe.com/
Big Wills Barbecue
11732 Bradley Rd
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 431-8466
China Taste Restaurant (Osmay Delivery Chinese Restaurant)
9543 E Fowler Ave
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 986-9297
http://www.osmaydelivery.com/
Kozzie’s Sports Pub
9539 E Fowler Ave
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 982-0200
https://www.facebook.com/kooziessportspub
301 Bar and Grill
12464 N U.S. Highway 301
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 986-2796
Hungry Howie’s Pizza
9517 E Fowler Ave
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 986-7822
http://www.hungryhowies.com/
McDonald’s
4650 McIntosh Rd
Dover, FL 33527
(813) 659-0379
http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/home.html
Wendy’s Restuarant
13565 Cypress Glen Ln
Tampa, FL 33637
(813) 979-1787
https://www.wendys.com/
SUPPLIES
Camping World
4811 McIntosh Rd
Dover, FL 33527
(888) 451-4197
http://www.campingworld.com/stores/fl/dover/321/
Walmart
1720 E Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL 33610
(813) 675-1531
http://www.walmart.com/
RV PROPANE
Camping World
4811 McIntosh Rd
Dover, FL 33527
(888) 451-4197
http://www.campingworld.com/stores/fl/dover/321/
LAUNDROMAT
Park has coin operated washers and dryers next to the two bathhouses
MEDICAL CARE
Tampa General Hospital
1 Tampa General Circle
Tampa, Fl 33606
(813) 844-7000
https://www.tgh.org
New Tampa Urgent Care
1644 Bruce B Downs Blvd
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
(813) 929-3600
Med Express
13210 Bruce B Downs Bl
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 977-2777
https://www.medexpress.com/default.aspx
MAP OF THE AREA
Our YouTube video from the pictures we took while we were there: