Hillsborough River

Hillsborough River

Hillsborough River
4.5
About
State park campground in forest and along river.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles219 reviews
Excellent
135
Very good
59
Average
18
Poor
4
Terrible
3

bren m
Singapore, Singapore234 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
Going down the river at night is amazing. Everything is lit up from the buildings to the bridges. Further down river, the mansions are lit up as well. We even saw the helicopter take off from Tampa General. We went out on a cruise with a company called Coming in Hot. Captain BJ and first mate Barbara were knowledgeable and a lot of fun. I'd highly recommend the river at night, and if you're lucky, you can go with Coming in Hot.
Written September 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Roxane J
Odessa, FL158 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2012 • Family
We recently launched our boat in Lowry Park and took a leisurely ride down the Hillsborough River. We went north to the dam and south around Davis Island. The scenery is beautiful! We made a stop at Rick's on the River for lunch before heading back to Lowry Park.
Written October 6, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carly M
Tampa, FL100 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2013 • Family
We have been to the river on more than one occasion and also like to take out of town guest for a day out to go canoeing. You can go to the outpost and rent the canoes for several different trips. You are provided with a map and instructions. A bus takes you to the drop off and from there the time is yours. You will see all kinds of wild life as well as many alligators (especially if you go in the springtime which is their mating season) However do not bother them and they will not bother you!!! We loved sighting the birds and turtles. We packed a few coolers and took them along and when we got to the stop point at the State Park, we enjoyed our lunch before calling for our pick up. It was a very enjoyable day. Don't forget sunscreen if it is a sunny day because it isn't entirely shady.
Written February 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Spencer2000
London, Canada24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2013 • Family
We rented canoes and went on a 3 hour guided trip. Saw lots of wildlife and native trees and plants. Very relaxing.
Written January 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Liontamer
Philadelphia, PA63 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2012 • Business
First off, YES, there are alligators. But NO, they don't bother you. Many, many small children have taken this trip, and everyone comes back safely. If little children can take this trip, so can you!

There is probably no better way to see the beautiful flowers, birds and reptiles of this area of Florida than in a quiet kayak on the Hillsborough River. The birds and flowers are gorgeous, plus paddling by a sleeping alligator who opens his eye as you paddle by is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is something you can comfortably do alone if you're in the area on business for a few days and want to try something new. There are plenty of families on the river - not so many as to be noisy, but enough that if you were to get into any trouble, someone would be along in 5 minutes. Google "Hillsborough River outfitters" for a list of kayak rental places - they drive you and the kayak to a drop-off, and then you paddle back to the outfitter.
Written September 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

denizsoylu
Istanbul, TĂĽrkiye96 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2017 • Friends
It is very nature and native area. We have been tubing by the river, it took about 4 to 5 hours. You can swim, you can just sit on your tube and enjoy the river and beautiful houses just by the river, also you can canoeing. It is a good ride anyway. Tubing is 20 USD per person so it is not expensive. You'll stay under the sun too long and when you start you have to finish the way there is no options to go back. Very important thing is sun protection.
Written April 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris H
Seffner, FL107 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2015 • Friends
I've been boating and fishing on the Hillsborough River for over 40 years and have seen much change. I only go in the freshwater portion which is above the dam near Rowlett Park. This is NOT a review of the brackish portion that flows through the downtown Tampa area.
From the 56th Street bridge upriver, all the way to Nature's Classroom (about as far as you can go in a motorized boat, 20+ miles) this is a minimum wake zone. Not an Idle zone though. The Temple Terrace police will patrol this area by boat and can give you a ticket for speeding. I've also seen an officer park himself at the dock at the Riverhills launch site and just wait for boaters to come in and then give them a ticket. So, a word to the wise, slow down. Now, downriver from the 56th Street bridge, its "Resume Normal Operation", essentially a "safe cruising speed" or for some folks, as fast as you can go, all the way down to the dam. The river is much wider here and I've seen folks water skiing in the section near the City of Tampa's water plant. Much of the cities water supply comes from the Hillsborough River. Hillsborough County regularly deploys air boats under the title "mosquito control" that spray for aquatic "weeds", such as water lettuce and water hyacinth. Supposed these plants can trap water in their foliage that can breed mosquitoes. Unfortunately, from a fisherman's view point, the county also sprays for hydrilla and about anything else, such as coontail and eel grass. They do not discriminate, just kill all aquatic plants. These plants serve to clean the water, produce oxygen and provide great habitat for fish. Over the years, I have to admit, at times, the hydrilla can get pretty bad in the late summer, nearly covering all the water except for the narrow river channel. At other times of the year and/or when the county has done a lot of spraying and there are no weeds, IF you're not familiar with the river, be sure and use your depth finder to stay in the channel. I've seen the river at extreme drought conditions with large flats completely dry and they are full of stumps. This is a man made reservoir, it is not a lake although sections appear to be. Depending on rain fall, the water level fluctuates several feet and if you speed off out of the channel, which is not marked, you are taking a chance of being stranded with busted prop or worse.
During the weekends, the folks come out and it can get crowed, line up at the ramps, no trailer parking and of course, drinking and driving on the river is common. If you're retired like me, I only go during the week. Like night and day, often have the whole river to yourself, maybe only see a couple of other boaters. As for bass fishing, its hot and cold. If you're lucky to be on a bite, it is a good as any body of water in the state and when it's not, well, you can get skunked in any body of water as well.
The Hillsborough River has near pristine areas further upriver from the Fletcher Ave bridge all the way to Nature's Classroom. During "full pool" (high) water levels, I put in at the launch from Fowler Ave and slowly cruise up through the "narrows" to Criswells "lake", great fishing area. For adventure, use your trolling motor to cruise up Trout Creek, very narrow, but you are in for a treat, total wilderness.
Of course, this is a bias review, but having been to most of central Florida lakes and rivers over the years, this is close to home and always a great day to spend on the water.
Written September 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alisson B
68 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2015 • Family
I am a Tampa native/resident. My dad and I have canoed the river ever since I was 4 years old. We like to bring our own canoe, rather than rent one at the rental places out there because the rental places usually only go on a small portion of the river. We like going on about 6 miles of the river and they are also sort of expensive. We drop in at Crystal Springs and end up at Hillsborough State Park. There are more downed trees going that way but it's not really a big deal. This longer part of the river is known by canoers as the the Seventeen Runs because the river fans out into 17 creeks. You will be portaging and ducking under trees for the first few miles. It is a little bit difficult because it is a more remote and untamed part of the river. There will be mud you have to go through sometimes when you have to portage so wear appropriate clothing. There are giant cypress trees and ferns and plenty of wildlife. If you are quiet, you may see a few. There are alligators on this river. I have never been on the river an not seen a gator. Most of them are not bigger than 5-6 feet in length, but occasionally you see a large one. No matter what the size, don't be dumb and try to touch with your paddle or something. Just pull your paddle in and wait for it to pass you, if you want to keep all of your limbs. Quite often, they are more afraid of you than you are of them. I do suggest going during the earlier part of the year, like May or earlier. Or later than November. This last time I went was the latest in the summer I had ever been on the river. We usually try to avoid the extreme heat. It makes for a miserable time. I didn't this time because I hadn't been in a couple of years and had the itch to back on the river. My impatience kicked my butt! The mosquitoes were so numerous that there were swarms around our head that made it difficult to see and breathe (inhaled a few, blech!). To top that off, after going about halfway down the river, there were literally thousands of white, furry caterpillars falling from the trees and into the river and the ground. It was hell trying to dodge them. But even with all that, I had fun. We did, however, set a record on out fastest time, since we were trying to speed down the river trying to get away from all those pests! We did all six miles in 4 hours. So, once again, I strongly suggest to not go on the river from June - October. It'll be much more relaxing. Also, at the of our trip, we get out at the state park, but right before that there is an actual Class II rapids. It is the only one in the entire state of Florida. I strongly recommend this river. You will have fun. Just make sure you go with someone experienced in canoeing if you do the longer trip.
Written August 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LvmjV
Latrobe, PA213 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2015 • Friends
The listing for Hillsborough River Kayak isn't included on the Trip Advisor listing so I'm creating one. Discovered this family operated kayak rental on a search and glad I did. The part of the river (near Alicia Avenue) where you enter is scenic, easy when there's no wind, and is very cost effective. A few more strokes (plus) and you can paddle to Crystal River.
Written May 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HerbMotley
Nahant, MA82 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015 • Family
Twice over the past several years we have retreated from the confusion of modern cities and interstate highways and found real serenity on the Hillsborough River canoe trips near Morris Bridge Road. The river flows with enough current so you don't have to paddle very hard. The forest is very wild with birds and alligators along the way. And the best part is that you go downstream and are picked up at the destination bridge so you don't have to paddle upstream to get home...
Written January 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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