Hillsborough River State Park, in Thonotosassa in northeast Hillsborough
County, offers canoe, kayak, and bike rentals directly on the river — one of the few real paddling
trips in the county that doesn’t require driving out to the coast.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sundown, confirmed on the Florida State Parks website. The
rental concession is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays and generally wraps up by 5–6 p.m. the rest of
the week, though self-service rentals are available up until about 30 minutes before the park
closes for those who miss the concession window.
Beyond paddling, the park has hiking trails through old-growth hammock, a swimming pool fed by
a natural spring, and Fort Foster, a reconstructed Second Seminole War-era fort open for tours on
weekends. For anyone checking current conditions before a visit, the park office can be reached at
813-987-6771.
It’s the rare Tampa outdoor spot where you can paddle, hike, and get a real history lesson
without leaving the county.