Hillsborough River State Park in northeastern Hillsborough County preserves one of the closest large natural areas to Tampa along 3,383 acres of river, hammock, flatwoods, palmetto, and swamp. Its defining feature is the Hillsborough River, a blackwater stream with unusual small rapids for Florida, which helps make the park popular for paddling, fishing, hiking, camping, and wildlife observation. Established in 1938 as one of Florida’s original eight state parks, it retains several Civilian Conservation Corps structures in the rustic style. The park also interprets older history through a replica of Fort Foster and exhibits on the Second Seminole War.