Additional Information for Hillsborough River State Park
Wildlife
Animals at Hillsborough River State Park
Resources
Other activities found in the park include canoeing and freshwater fishing off the banks of the Hillsborough River. The river has one of Florida's only class II rapids. State Park canoes are not allowed to travel up this part of the river.
Are you interested in learning more about the State Parks in Southwest Florida?
District 4's biology staff continually monitors the biological aspects of our State Parks. Their effort includes scientific reports on flora and fauna found in our area and impacts on the environment from "civilization".
The reports are an excellent source of scientific information for school projects, or more advanced studies.
You can access all of the District 4 reports via the following link:
District 4 Biology Reports
Once there the reports are listed by year. After selecting the year group the reports are listed by title. Example: Select 1997 Annual Reports. Then select a report (they are titled by park and subject). Example: Hillsborough River SP - Gopher Tortoise Burrow Survey.
Then open the attached report.
Current Conditions & Sightings
Current Conditions:
Biting Insects - It’s Mosquito Time!
Summer is the prime time for one of our least favorite insects: mosquitoes. With the wet spring and early summer in many parts of the Florida, mosquito numbers are high this year.
Life Cycle and Ecology
Understanding the mosquito’s life cycle and ecology can help you avoid getting bitten.
• There are over 3,000 species of mosquitoes worldwide, with at least 150 in the U.S.
• Mosquitoes start life out as aquatic larvae in standing bodies of water such as ponds, swamps and marshes. Their larvae can live in as little as an inch of water so even temporary puddles will serve as nurseries.
• Mosquitoes’ primary food source is flower nectar and fruit juices. Only the female mosquito feeds on blood. She uses the protein-rich blood meal to fuel the production of eggs.
• In the process of feeding on nectar, mosquitoes help to pollinate flowers.
• Female mosquitoes find their victims by sight and by following the chemical trail of carbon dioxide and water vapor from the breath of people and animals.
• Mosquitoes inject saliva into the bite to keep blood from clotting. An allergic reaction to the saliva is what causes the resulting itchy welt.
• A female can lay 200-300 eggs at time.
• In the U.S. diseases such as West Nile Virus and canine heartworm are spread by mosquitoes.
• The vast majority of mosquitoes are eaten by predators. Eggs and aquatic larvae are fed on by fish, salamander larvae and dragonfly nymphs. Adults are eaten by birds, bats, amphibians, dragonflies and many other insects.
Biting Nats - The Nat population is High in certain areas of the park. Nat activity is High at dawn. A good repellant is required.
Campgrounds
**All campsites are pet friendly.
Current Sightings:
Camping Conditions:
Two large camping areas offer fine sites amid longleaf pines, oaks and palmettos. Buffer vegetation is good in some sites; others are more exposed. (ATTENTION: Due to increased rains in spring and summer, the park experiences seasonal flooding throughout the park. Some 25 percent of Hillsborough River State Park is in lowland areas and these areas are prone to seasonal flooding. These floods are extremely unpredictable and may affect your camping and hiking experience. Please call the park office at (813) 987-6771 for the specific conditions of our trails or your campsite prior to your visit.) At night you may swamp rabbits nibbling the grass in your campsite. On Friday evenings the park offers a "Tram Ride" around one of the oldest State Parks in Florida. Saturday evening’s Rangers give slide shows and nature talks at the campfire circle. (Weather Permitting)
Paddling on the river:
Wildlife - Hillsborough River offers paddlers an opportunity to see a diverse ecosystem. Approximated paddling times will vary with your paddling proficiency, weather conditions, and the water level. The river offers opportunities for first time paddlers, birders, and photographers to see some of the REAL FLORIDA. Under a thick, green canopy as the river twists and turns you may have a chance encounter with an American Alligator, playful River Otters, variety of wading birds (Ibis, Herons & Roseatte Spoonbills) and sun-drenched turtles (Peninsula Cooters , Chicken Turtles & Florida Soft shell turtles) on logs.
Real-Time Web-Service: Please visit the current water flow conditions on the Hillsborough River. This USGS link can provide real time information on the water flow conditions of the river. You can view the discharge and gage height for up to the last 60 days at the following link:
Waterdata.USGS.gov
Plant life -The River is surrounded by interior pine flatwood; a fine hardwood hammock, cypress domes and freshwater marshes. Several species of wildflowers are currently blooming. (Iris, Pickerelweed, and Blue-eyed Grass.) (Weather Permitting)
National Weather Service predictions for the Hillsborough River State Park area can be view at the following link:
Forecast.Weather.gov
Pets
Please see our General Parks Pet Policy for more information.
Links
Florida Division of Recreation and Parks neither endorses links nor approves of links to external sources. External links are made available to assist the Internet user in his or her search. The Florida Division of Recreation and Parks takes no responsibility for a link's operation or content. The links that are shown are not an exclusive listing of organizations available within the State.
