Hillsborough River State Park

Rivers played an important part in the history of mankind. It was along the river's flood plain that natives hunted, fished and foraged. In the late 1700s, Wills Hills, the British Colonial Secretary and Lord Earl of Hillsborough, was given jurisdiction over the area and sent surveyors to report on the new colony. Thus the river in the area was aptly named the Hillsborough River.

The Hillsborough River is a "blackwater" river. I had never heard the term before encountering the Suwannee River. Blackwater streams and rivers originate in swampy areas. They get their names because the water is stained dark brown by organic acids. The staining gives the appearance of "black" water. The Hillsborough River originates in Central Florida's Green Swamp which is also the beginning point, or headwaters, of the Ocklawaha, Withlacoochee and Peace rivers. Also important to the Hillsborough River is its two springs — Crystal Springs and Sulfur Springs. Crystal Springs is especially important because it provides a continuing source of clean, fresh water to the river.

The river provides many outdoor recreation opportunities to those visiting Hillsborough River State Park, including fishing, canoeing and kayaking.