Last week after Gary got off of work on Friday, we loaded up and headed to Hillsborough River State Park to catch another trail on the Hillsborough Hiking Spree list. We arrived about an hour before the park closes and picked up our annual family pass for the Florida State Park system. Regularly $120 they have been on sale from October until sometime early this month for only $60. It gives you access to the 175 state parks, most with campgrounds (though there is an extra charge for camping). Nearly half of those participate in the Jr Ranger Program, so we will have lots of great field trip opportunities for the next year.
I have heard it said that Hillsborough County, Florida is the only place in the country where Hillsborough is spelled that way. I know of several other spellings around the country such as Hillsboro but perhaps it's because the River was named for Willls Hills the Lord Earl of Hillsborough and the English Colonial Secretary under British rule. Like so many parks around the country this one was founded by the CCC during the 1930s, and the Civilian Conservation Corp built several structures that still stand in the park today. Including the iconic suspension bridge.
We crossed that suspension bridge to walk the Baynard Trail which if I recall correctly was named for the family who first owned the land where the park currently sits. The bridge is narrow, barely enough room for two adults to pass one another, but from the center gives great views of the river. While Kate took today's pictures, Gary snapped a great picture at dusk of the river in the evening light with all the reflections in the water. There is also a geocache at the bridge that we were sure to search out, unfortunately some of the official information was missing out of it. Hopefully, the park will replace those items soon.
It is a very easy 1.1 mile trail, but it closer to a mile and a half when you consider the distance from the parking lot to the trailhead. (You pass by the restrooms and through the playground and picnic area to get to the bridge and then the trail.) There is actually a second geocache located off of the trail down a secondary trail toward the primitive camping sites, but we didn't look for it since we were limited on time. The trail is fairly smooth and hardpacked, with few roots in the way. There are also a few boardwalks and bridges which span lower areas since the area is prone to flooding in the rainy season. Since it was such a short trail we didn't bring the wagon for the boys, but it could have made this trail. In fact since it is a short trail, we left the snacks in the car and only carried water bottles. The kids are loving their new water bottles that they got for Christmas. They each have their own unique one and they have both hand straps and if they want them a shoulder carrying strap.
We didn't see any wildlife, and it was a bit chilly when we were there, but we definitely plan to return and explore other trails and areas of the park, and I'm on the look out for a day when Fort Foster is open at the park as well. If you'd like to make a trip the address is 15402 U.S. 301 North, Thonotosassa, Florida. The state park is open from 8 am to sunset, everyday. Entrance to the Park is $6 for a car load of up to 6 people over the age of six.
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