Posted in
June 2012
On Sunday morning we set off for the Hillsborough River, about a one hour trip. We abandoned that idea when the thermostat for the Blazer started edging into the red zone.
As we headed toward home we passed a sign for Upper Tampa Bay County Park. At the end of the road we paid $2 to enter. The man at the gate assured us this was the best place in the area to launch a canoe - and he might be right! There is a launch dedicated to just canoes and kayaks. You carry your vessel down a short ramp to a series of rollers. Just hop in the canoe and paddle off. By far the easiest launch as of yet.
We were provided with a map of the canoe trail which was marked with numbered signs. Hoping to see some wildlife we headed up the bay and back under 580. There is something special about paddling under a highway that you drive over every day. We passed several waterfront communities, but the only animals we saw were jumping fish and a few birds.
Be careful to follow the signs if you go... it is easy to paddle into a mangrove that leads nowhere.
We paddled several hours before heading back. You just paddle up the ramp easily. At the edge of the road there is even a canoe wash and hose.
Although this park lacks the shade and serenity of the rivers we have paddled it has its own beauty. This is a park I would highly recommend even if they tripled the price!
On Sunday morning we set off for the Hillsborough River, about a one hour trip. We abandoned that idea when the thermostat for the Blazer started edging into the red zone.
As we headed toward home we passed a sign for Upper Tampa Bay County Park. At the end of the road we paid $2 to enter. The man at the gate assured us this was the best place in the area to launch a canoe - and he might be right! There is a launch dedicated to just canoes and kayaks. You carry your vessel down a short ramp to a series of rollers. Just hop in the canoe and paddle off. By far the easiest launch as of yet.
 |
| The canoe ramp. |
We were provided with a map of the canoe trail which was marked with numbered signs. Hoping to see some wildlife we headed up the bay and back under 580. There is something special about paddling under a highway that you drive over every day. We passed several waterfront communities, but the only animals we saw were jumping fish and a few birds.
Be careful to follow the signs if you go... it is easy to paddle into a mangrove that leads nowhere.
 |
| CR 580 |
We paddled several hours before heading back. You just paddle up the ramp easily. At the edge of the road there is even a canoe wash and hose.
Although this park lacks the shade and serenity of the rivers we have paddled it has its own beauty. This is a park I would highly recommend even if they tripled the price!
