The tanner working the front entrance was an event himself! He wad so knowledgeable of the rich history offered by this and several other locations in Florida! We spent almost 30 minutes or so just picking his brain of the history this area posses! It's just off the beaten path and not to far from major shopping malls and outlets! They are less than 15 minutes away. So you aren't so remote but you are in the wild with plenty of wild life to include the Florida Gators! Just on the trail in the water, we spotted our first gator encounter! Although safe distance was maintained from the stairs, the encounter was both scary and exciting! They have ample parking and trails to enjoy safely! Once the pandemic is controlled, they offer a very large pool, expansive playground and views galore! Although we only visited, the campers were very nice! This place even has a river rapids area that's nice! Canoeing is allowed in designated areas!

Camping in their spacious, lovely, and wild park just outside Tampa. We have camped here before in Feb and experienced the hatching of Tussock moth caterpillars, which was not pleasant. In January, they aren't here yet. So, just a warning, pick your dates. Otherwise, enjoy the lovely Old Florida feel.

Great place to walk through nature. Loved the walk through the wilderness and the sounds of the wildlife. Has a conoe launch. The river is beautiful and the rapids were awesome. Picnic tables and playgrounds are available. Wish the natural pool was open though...

3 free primitive campsites at Washburn tract. Excellent potential but porta-potty full and gross. Fire Pits trashed. Grounds littered with debris. Otherwise, dry and few bugs at the end of December. Minimal road noise. Good signal, +3 bars w/T-mobile. Great TV reception and stores within 2.5 miles.

Great trails, nice views, very relaxing, picnic tables, playground, bring mosquito repellent. Didn't get to finish the trails, will definitely be returning soon.

Great park with few trails to walk (no bikes) by the river where you can spot wildlife. Also, there is bikes, canoes, and kayaks for rent. The pool was closed for the season. A few RV camping areas and picnic tables around the park with playgrounds.

Some great trails on a beautiful day. I went there for a bike ride and let me tell you the names are tricky. I'm definitely out of shape and haven't ridden a bike in a while and even the "easy" trail had me putting in some work, but it was fun and so worth it. I'll also add be it hiking or riding bring bug spray! The mosquitos were out in full force!!

It was called Hillsborough State Park. The sites were spacious and prices are affordable. The downside was the pool is closed and the grass on our site hadn't been mowed. It was knee-high. Loved the trails, and some unique picture opportunities.

Excellent variety of walking trails. Highly recommended to arrive early to mid morning so you can do multiple trails. Could use better signs letting you know where the parking lots were. We did a lot of turning around after passing the driveways.

Big wildness preserve park around the hillsborugh river .kayak and bike rental here you can see turtles, american alligators ...is possible fishing huge tilapias,pike alligators,american black bass.multiple restrooms,grills spot,playpark for the kids.very good park to enjoy camping in the middle of florida nature and animals

The bridge was closed but the sign was hidden so we walked an hour before finding the closed bridge sign. The pool was closed. We saw one alligator where there was a sign that said alligator..it must be there a lot. The rapids are very pretty.

We stayed for a night or two tent camping. You have to book online, it's free, but they will send you an email with the gate code to get in. We stayed at the equestrian trail sites. They are primitive, with a fire ring, and a picnic table. There is a porta potty as well. It's very quiet and you can see the stars at night! Very beautiful!

Loved our three nights there. Clean and tidy. Just the roads were very bumpy. Weather doesn't help them keeping them smooth. Not recommended for cars, until roads redone. Hope to return again.

We had a great time. Trails are tree covered so it's not too hot to walk around. Went down the river in a kayak. Such an awesome experience.

Great park, well maintained! Kayaked there and had a blast. Not a far distance to drop a kayak in and current wasnt too overbearing. Absolutely beautiful views and a great place to see various wildlife.

Not a crowded place felt like you had the place all to yourself beautiful place great picnic area very enjoyable

Very Very beautiful the trees were bended like a archway its like going to heaven..!

Beautiful area

Fresh air, peace, tranquility, embraced nature with your love one.

Campgrounds were well kept and very enjoyable with my family. Raccoons were funny to listen to at night. Put your things up lol

Lovely , well kept and quiet

Just moved to Wesley Chapel and had to check out a state park with the kids. Lots of fun!

Great place to the the kids

This park was beautiful and a great place for easy hiking. Our day included the sightings of many birds and one alligator. Park is extremely well maintained.

Pretty cool park. Very nice views and great hiking options. Scenic river and even some low rapids. Nice park and plenty of activity there!

A great place to camp you just have to contact Southwest Florida water Management district and set up an account on their website and you can reserve a spot here for up to 7 days really liked it nice and peaceful

Wilderness only steps away from retail therapy. Remote, excellent trails and walking paths. The ride in is a challenge; plagued with cavernous pot holes peppering the dirt road to the campground. Non potable water; from a cool antique hand pump. Porta potty. No dumpster. Pack out what you pack in. Minutes from Publix and other retail stores.

Park seems to be a bit outdated. It have many fishing areas, playground and hike areas. If you plan on camping here, the shower rooms are old and needs cleaning. Very POOR internet access. Space is pretty tight to each other.

This is certainly as they advertise, "the real Florida." The place is so natural and once you get to the trails in the woods you forget the highways and parking lots and it's just lush dense forest. It's a beautiful spot with all kinds of wildlife and plants and trees. There are many picnic pavilions some have grills and lots of tables great for parties and picnics. This is overall a really cool authentic natural park full of nature.

This state park never disappoints!! Lots to see and peaceful,... Sites are quite spacious... Always great memories!!!!

Beautiful park with great scenery

Enjoyed very scenic. Beautiful day.

Good place to relax

Great hiking trails, would have given it 5 stars, but they need more benches on the trails

Great place to walk or bike and the animals add a nice touch to the experience.

No entrance fee but should pay a small fee for the parking. The place is serene and attractive. Great place to go for a walk, ride a bike, skate or even roller blades. The place closes at sunset. Did not see any on site personnel. Anyway a good place to experience nature.

, is an area of protected lands in northeastern Hillsborough County, Florida near Tampa. It includes about 13,000 acres of former cattle ranchland and farmlands that are now being restored to a more a natural state.[1] Canals built for flood relief are also being blocked.[1] Species in the area include white-tailed deer, Sherman's fox squirrels, bald eagles and an occasional bobcat.[1] Feral hogs are also present.[1] The property was purchased by the West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority in 1988 for groundwater pumping, a plan that was later blocked by changes in federal rules. A proposed sports complex plan in the 2000s met with public criticism and proposals to turn it into private hunting camps were also defeated. The land was eventually sold to Florida's land preservation program in 2010.[1] In January 2014, a portion of the land was opened for public use.[1]

Technically, we hiked the Dead River Trail Loop. I love this hike! It's about 5 miles long, of which 2 miles is on a lane from Dead River Park (restrooms are open during the day) to the gate. The park is closed to vehicles.

Hiked 6.5 miles on part of the Ft. King trail along with a portion of the Wetlands Trail along the Hillsborough River. The section along the river was amazing, but fairly overgrown with lots of downed wood from previous storms. Otherwise mostly road walks through the woods.

It's a beautiful place...during the day! I don't think I would camp there... 😮 😳 🥺

We are from Rougemont NC. We found this place last year and took our 3 yr old granddaughter. She loved it. This year we brought our 13 yr old granddaughter and our niece from WI. They loved it. This place is great for all ages.

Stayed at the state park in a 5th wheel. Very nice. Clean and trails along river were great. They have a pool cafe and canoe rentals but all were closed thanks to covid. Enjoy the Florida state parks!

Super great hiking trails and dog friendly. Costs $2 for one person to go in for the day. Absolutly worth it.

Great prices and shopable.

Perfect day in the woods by the river.

Very nice park.

Great walk paths in good shape and saw a alligator made the day

Lovely place for a picnic, walk or cycling.

Nice place to go for a day trip or do some camping for a couple of days

Very peaceful! Great place to go hiking/walking/running/ camping.

Such a peaceful place.

Our favorite place for camping!!!!!

Great State Park.

Beautiful weather and scenic hike

Very nice. Not crowed at all. Bathroom was nasty though.

(Translated by Google) Beauty (Original) Красота

Great

Love the shopping but the parking lot is a pain.

We love this place! Everything screams nature. Staff take very good care of this park. Thank you for all your hard work.

Very fun trail to get away from it all.

Beautiful, nice area to walk

one of my favorite places to hike. Great place to find wild gators

Great walking trails.

Beautiful beautiful peaceful trails. My friends and I love walking around and just taking in the scenery. Truly a little getaway paradise

Nice secluded place to go for a short hike.

Nice campground. Good trails

A friend highly recommended this state park to us. We made an afternoon trip/adventure for us. I highly recommend going to this beautiful state park!