# Hillsborough River State Park: Class II Rapids & CCC Suspension Footbridge Hike

> Place to go for families in the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater area (FL). Times are Eastern Time.

- When: Open 365 days a year from 8:00 AM to sunset; CCC Museum open Wednesday–Sunday 9:00…
- Dates: Tue, Dec 1 – Sun, Feb 28
- Where: Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 US-301 N, Thonotosassa, FL 33592
- Ages: All ages; flat, well-shaded trails; suspension bridge accessible with all-terrain strollers
- Price: $6 per vehicle (up to 8 people); $4 single-occupant vehicle; $2 pedestrians and bicyclists
- Schedule: Open 365 days a year from 8:00 AM to sunset; CCC Museum open Wednesday–Sunday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Organizer: Florida State Parks
- Official page: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/hillsborough-river-state-park
- Last checked: Wed, Nov 4

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/tampa/activities/hillsborough-river-state-park-class-ii-rapids-and-ccc-suspension-footb--listing-fe7786da5a8165ef09cf1c51

## About

Located just northeast of Tampa, Hillsborough River State Park opened in 1938 as one of Florida's original state parks, developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It protects one of the only natural Class II river rapids in Florida, where churning tannic water cascades over jagged limestone formations beneath towering live oaks draped in Spanish moss.

Families can hike the iconic River Rapids Nature Trail (1.2 miles) crossing the historic wooden suspension footbridge that sways gently over the river. Winter brings refreshing daytime highs in the low 70s, making it prime season for spotting river otters, wild turkeys, and wading birds along seven miles of multi-use trails. The park features a heritage CCC museum, modern playgrounds, spacious shaded pavilions with stone barbecue fireplaces, and canoe rentals.

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