In our July 15th, 2018 episode, Free Kayak Tours & Countdown to Galaxy’s Edge, we talked about this excellent and free program called Second Saturday Paddle at Hillsborough River State Park (near Tampa).
This is a great (and did we mention free!) guided 90 minute paddle along a scenic portion of the Hillsborough River that takes place the second Saturday of every month at 8:45am.
For details: https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/events/second-saturday-paddle
Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d49aaa822a0f58-second1
Don’t live near this park? No problem! Lots of other Florida State Parks have similar programs and tours! Check out what’s happening in a park near you: https://www.floridastateparks.org/events
No kayaking experience necessary, and this is actually a great way to get your first bit of paddling experience in an easy going, slow moving Florida river.
Our tour was led by two experienced guides, a Florida Master Naturalist who was knowledgeable in all of the Flora & Fauna along the river, and a Park Service Specialist who knew this river like a second home.
Experienced paddler or not, this tour is a great introduction to kayaking in a beautiful Florida setting.
Our paddle guide, Joan, stopped to show us some wild Water Hydrangea and give us a short lesson on invasive species. Water Hydrangea is a non-native species that multiplies quickly and chokes Florida lakes, ponds, and rivers.
On this stretch of the Hillsborough River you can easily imagine that it’s 400 years ago, and that you’re one of the first to explore this river.
Stopping to check out a Cypress Tree, growing directly in the middle of this slow and lazy flowing river.
Paddling along, like ducks in a row in the Florida wilderness. No gator sightings on this trip, even though alligators are quite common this park.
Hillsborough River State Park
15402 US-301, Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 987-6771
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/hillsborough-river-state-park
Prices:
$6 per vehicle, limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4 for single occupant vehicle.
$2 for pedestrians & bicyclists
