Nice Camps: May 2008

This is part 2 of our Hillsborough River State Park visit. This post will only be about the campground area and will show some of the nicer sites. At least in my opinion...... My wife is worried by sharing these sites, we won't be able to get any..... I think the more we share with everyone the better it is for everyone....... Please let me know what you think in my shout box at the end.

If you missed part 1 click on the link on the right side of this page.

Enjoy the tour......

This sign is at the main entrance of the park on US-301. Hillsborough River SP is located just north of Tampa, Florida.

This is the canoe launch for the campers to use. It has a small road/path leading to the launch site. However, you will need to park your vehicle back at your site due to the limited space at the launch location.

There is a community fire pit located right on the river. During our stay the ranger put on a presentation for the children. Please check with the office when checking in to see if there are any talks scheduled.. It is a great way to learn about nature...

This is a nice place to enjoy the river or fish. If you look at the right side, just beyond the concrete wall. This is the location of the campground canoe launch.

Here is one of the 3 bathhouses located in the campground.

Bathhouse #2

Bathhouse #3 This one is the newest of the 3 and has washing machines for your laundry. The bathhouses were kept clean and good shape.

There are parking spaces located by the bathhouses for extra car parking. You are limited to 2 cars per site. However, the park allows additional vehicles, but they have to be parked at these locations. Hint: If you are having friends visit during the day and you don't have more than the 8 maximum people, tell your friends to tell the ranger station that they are staying the night with you at the campsite. This will save them from the paying admission charge.

The park offers a free tram ride around the whole park on Friday evenings. They drive through the campground and all you have to do is wave them down as they pass your site. It is a nice way to see the park and it's FREE!!!!

Here is our camper on site #43. It is a really nice and secluded with lots of trees.

Another view of our spot.

I found this sign on a dead tree in the park. It helps you understand why they don't want you to gather wood from inside the park.

There is a recreation hall in the campground. It is located by the river and community campfire ring. It is not very nice, however, if you are tent camping, it would be a good place to get out of the summer thunderstorms....

The following are pictures of campsites located throughout the park.

Site #27

Site #28

Site #28 It had a small bridge along the back of the site. The bridge is a part of a trail that runs along the river.

Site #29

Site #34

Site #35

Site #36

Site #38

Site #39

Site #42

Site #43

Site #50

Site #56

Site #60

Site #64

Site #65

Site #69

Site #71 Some of the sites are paved. These are located close to the bathhouse for people who need paved sites. I love the dirt sites.... It is the kid in me....

Site #73

Site #83

Site #100

Site #101

Site #102

Site #107

I hope that it was not too boring with all of the site pictures... Part 3 will be shots of the river and the trails in the park.

Till then..... Have a Great Time Camping!!!!!!

We visit Hillsborough River State Park quite often since it is only 20 miles from home. Isn't great to have such awesome campgrounds so close to home? Yes it is!!!! :)

I will be doing my Hillsborough River State Park blog in 3 parts. This post I will show you what the park has to offer, Part 2 will all about the campground, Part 3 will highlight the river and the awesome trails, so keep checking back to see all 3 parts. Remember to check out my other posts on the right side.....

The park is located between Tampa and Zephyrhills Florida on US301. Here is the entrance sign on 301.

Our Campsite... Gotta love the trees......

This is other Granddaughters 1st Camping Trip.... Grand mommy is sooooo happpppyyyy!!!! Have to start them early..... We had to wait a whole 5 months to get her camping......

What about those lovely little toes.... Aren't babies great!!! It always amazes me how little everything is.... :)

Proud daddy.....

Looking for the next canoes to paddle by or does she take after daddy? He loves the Alligators.... This is nice place to sit by the river in the campground..

Here is another view of the river from the campground. Lots of people bring their canoes and kayaks to enjoy the river. Also don't forget the fishing poles....

The park has a free tram tour of the whole park every Friday night. They drive through the park and all you need to do is wave them down to take the tour. It is a great way to see all of the fun things to do around the park...

Believe it or not!!! This park has a large swimming pool.....

See I told you so!!!! However, if you plan on going to the pool you should get there early. They shut the gate when more than 230 people are in the pool area. I do not understand this logic because this pool is huge!!!! Also, make sure you get your pool passes when checking in to the campground. This saves you $2.00 per person per day.

There is a nice store and restaurant located next to the pool. However, if you require ice, make sure you get to the store in the morning.... They sell out fast......

Here is the front of the store... The pool is only a short walk or bike ride from the campground. There is a shortcut out of the campground...

There is a large bathroom by the pool and lots of picnic tables.... I did not get pictures, but if you take a evening bike ride to the pool at dusk this area is full of Turkey Vultures!!! You can ride your bikes right through the packs of them... Sort of spooky........

Back to the fun stuff...... The pool picnic area has a great playground....

You can rent bikes and canoes at the store..

Here are the rental canoes.... They have an easy launching system to get the canoes in to the river...

At the rental canoe launch area there is a shelter that shows how high the water reached when this area flooded.... Do you see the marking???

That's right!!!! It is all the way up on the Roof!!!! Holy Cow!!!! The water was really high in 1988.....

There is a public canoe launch of the main parking lot by the pool. Part 2 I will show you the campground canoe launch area... Make sure you check back...

The park has a rec hall, I don't know how much they charge to rent this hall. There is another rec hall located in the campground.

There are numerous playgrounds throughout the park...

This playground is located near the park rec hall. I do not think many people know about this playground since it is back in the park aways..

The park has numerous picnic shelters located in many places scattered throughout the park...

Nice fishing location in the park...

What a better place to teach your children to fish!!! I cannot wait until our grand baby is ready to hold her fishing pole.... No doubt... Uncle Stephen will be the one teaching her.....

The park offers a tour of Fort Foster State Park. This park can only be accessed by taking the tour from Hillsbourgh River State Park. You catch the tram at the interpretive center. The tram takes you down a dirt road. Then you have to walk along the old Florida road. As you get closer a fort appears. Just image how great it looked if you were a soldier venturing through Indian territory to be back safe...

Here is some information from the parks website:

Fort Foster State Historic Site is part of Hillsborough River State Park, though located on the East Side of US 301 from the park. Fort Foster is a reconstructed fort from the Second Seminole War. The Fort is located 1800 feet from the parking lot and has no restrooms available. Tours of the fort are offered (weather permitting) on Weekends and an annual Fort Foster Rendezvous with skirmishes is held in February.