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TIM DRISKELL’S ADVENTURES

Lower Hillsborough River

Lowry Park to the Dam at Rowlett Park • Pinellas Paddlers • February 21, 2023

*(All photos are clickable for the full-size image)

Pinellas Paddlers launching kayaks and paddleboards at Lowry Park before heading upstream on the lower Hillsborough River.
Pinellas Paddlers launching kayaks and paddleboards at Lowry Park before heading upstream on the lower Hillsborough River.

Launching at Lowry Park

On February 21, 2023, a group of us from Pinellas Paddlers headed to Tampa for one of the easiest and most relaxing urban paddles in the area. We launched at Lowry Park, near ZooTampa, and pointed our boats upstream toward the Hillsborough River Dam at Rowlett Park.

This is a wonderfully mellow trip. The lower river is broad, the current is usually gentle, and there is no complicated navigation: simply follow the Hillsborough upstream until the dam comes into view. With kayaks and stand-up paddleboards mixed together, our group could spread out, talk, stop for wildlife, and take the day at an easy pace.

A kayaker leaving the Lowry Park launch as the group begins heading upstream.
Robin leaving the Lowry Park launch as the group begins heading upstream.
The group settling into an easy upstream pace on the lower Hillsborough River.
The group settling into an easy upstream pace on the lower Hillsborough River.
Paddleboarders enjoying calm water on a mellow February paddle.
Paddleboarders enjoying calm water on a mellow February paddle.
Turtles taking advantage of the warm February sunshine along the riverbank.
Gator wondering whats for lunch!  Turtles taking advantage of the warm February sunshine along the riverbank.
Paddleboarders passing beneath one of the bridges along the route.
Amy and Mike passing beneath one of the bridges along the route.
A beautiful blue-sky February day as the group paddles upstream toward the dam.
A beautiful blue-sky February day as Cassie and the group paddles upstream toward the dam.

One of the things I enjoy about this stretch is the mix of natural Florida and old Tampa. Large live oaks and palms shade the banks, Spanish moss hangs over the water, and turtles, ducks, herons, egrets, anhingas, cormorants and ospreys can all turn up along the route. Then around another bend you may pass a bridge, an old dock, a riverfront home or a colorful mural that reminds you that this is a river running right through the city. Lots of history here!

Paddling past one of the many riverfront homes tucked beneath the trees.
Paddling past one of the many riverfront homes tucked beneath the trees.
A paddleboarder gliding beneath the shade of large riverside oaks.
A paddleboarder gliding beneath the shade of large riverside oaks.
Spanish moss and old trees give parts of the river an unmistakably old-Florida feel.
Spanish moss and old trees give parts of the river an unmistakably old-Florida feel.
One of the colorful and unusual riverfront docks encountered along the way.
One of the colorful and unusual riverfront docks encountered along the way.
Pinellas Paddlers continuing upstream toward Rowlett Park.
Pinellas Paddlers continuing upstream toward Rowlett Park.
A colorful wildlife mural along the river adds another bit of Tampa character.
A colorful wildlife mural along the river adds another bit of Tampa character.
Kayaks and paddleboards moving through a shaded stretch of the Hillsborough.
Kayaks and paddleboards moving through a shaded stretch of the Hillsborough.
Calm water made this an ideal day for an easy group paddle.
Calm water made this an ideal day for an easy group paddle.
Ducks sharing the river with us along the way.
Ducks sharing the river with us along the way.
Tim enjoying a warm February day on the Hillsborough River.
Tim enjoying a warm February day on the Hillsborough River.
Our first close view of the Hillsborough River Dam and the turnaround point ahead.
Our first close view of the Hillsborough River Dam and the turnaround point ahead.

As we continued upstream, the dam gradually became the destination. The Hillsborough River Dam separates the lower river from the reservoir above and is part of Tampa’s water-supply system. We paddled right up below the spillway, took time to enjoy the view, then pulled the boats out nearby at Rowlett Park for lunch.

A kayaker paddling below the dam and spillway.
Claire paddling below the dam and spillway.
Taking a closer look at the flowing water below the dam.
Claire a closer look at the flowing water below the dam.
Members of the group gathered beneath the Hillsborough River Dam.
Members of the group gathered beneath the Hillsborough River Dam.

After lunch there was no reason to hurry. We relaunched and let the return trip become its own paddle, noticing many of the same bends, homes and wooded banks from the opposite direction. Out-and-back trips are like that: the scenery can look surprisingly different when you are facing the other way.

Boats pulled ashore at Rowlett Park while we stopped for lunch.
Boats pulled ashore at Rowlett Park while we stopped for lunch.
Back on the water and beginning the leisurely return toward Lowry Park.
Back on the water and beginning the leisurely return toward Lowry Park.
A paddleboarder beneath a canopy of riverside oaks.
Amy beneath a canopy of riverside oaks.
The group spreading out again on the downstream paddle.
Amy and the group spreading out again on the downstream paddle.
Another peaceful, shaded section of the lower river.
Another peaceful, shaded section of the lower river.
Following the group downstream from the bow of my kayak.
Following the group downstream from the bow of my kayak.
Passing one of the river’s unusual floating and waterfront homes.
Passing one of the river’s unusual floating and waterfront homes.
A wonderfully colorful houseboat along the Hillsborough River.
Claire checking out a wonderfully colorful houseboat along the Hillsborough River.

Some of the most memorable sights on the return were the quirky waterfront structures and houseboats tucked along the river. They add a lot of personality to this section of the Hillsborough and make it feel very different from the more remote stretches farther upstream.

A closer look at one of the most distinctive waterfront structures on the trip.
A closer look at one of the most distinctive waterfront structures on the trip.
Tim enjoying the easy downstream return.
Tim enjoying the easy downstream return.
More turtles warming themselves along the riverbank.
More turtles warming themselves along the riverbank.
A paddleboarder exploring close to the vegetated shoreline.
Amy exploring close to the vegetated shoreline.
A screened riverfront home overlooking the water.
A screened riverfront home overlooking the water.
A Tampa riverfront home shaded by huge trees and Spanish moss.
A Tampa riverfront home shaded by huge trees and Spanish moss.
Nearing Lowry Park again toward the end of the paddle.
Nearing Lowry Park again toward the end of the paddle.
An old covered dock tucked beneath the trees.
An old covered dock tucked beneath the trees.
The historic Sulphur Springs Water Tower rising above the Hillsborough River.
The historic Sulphur Springs Water Tower rising above the Hillsborough River.

Near Sulphur Springs, one landmark is impossible to miss: the tall white Sulphur Springs Water Tower. Built in 1927, the historic tower rises above the neighborhood and remains one of Tampa’s most distinctive landmarks, a reminder of the days when Sulphur Springs was promoted as a recreation and tourist destination centered on the spring and river.

Pinellas Paddlers — the group behind another great day on the water.
Pinellas Paddlers — the group behind another great day on the water.
Route map for the lower Hillsborough River paddle from Lowry Park to the dam at Rowlett Park and back.
Route map for the lower Hillsborough River paddle from Lowry Park to the dam at Rowlett Park and back.

A Classic Easy Tampa Paddle

By the time we reached Lowry Park again, we had enjoyed exactly what this paddle does best: easy water, good company, wildlife, old Tampa scenery, a lunch stop at the dam, and a slow return with plenty of time to look around. It is not a difficult paddle, and that is part of its appeal — just a fun, uncomplicated day on the Hillsborough River with friends.

Photo Gallery

Pinellas Paddlers launching kayaks and paddleboards at Lowry Park before heading upstream on the lower Hillsborough River.
Pinellas Paddlers launching kayaks and paddleboards at Lowry Park before heading upstream on the lower Hillsborough River.
A kayaker leaving the Lowry Park launch as the group begins heading upstream.
Robin leaving the Lowry Park launch as the group begins heading upstream.
The group settling into an easy upstream pace on the lower Hillsborough River.
The group settling into an easy upstream pace on the lower Hillsborough River.
Paddleboarders enjoying calm water on a mellow February paddle.
Paddleboarders enjoying calm water on a mellow February paddle.
Turtles taking advantage of the warm February sunshine along the riverbank.
Turtles (and a hungry gator) taking advantage of the warm February sunshine along the riverbank.
Paddleboarders passing beneath one of the bridges along the route.
Amy and Mike passing beneath one of the bridges along the route.
A beautiful blue-sky February day as the group paddles upstream toward the dam.
A beautiful blue-sky February day as the group paddles upstream toward the dam.
Paddling past one of the many riverfront homes tucked beneath the trees.
Paddling past one of the many riverfront homes tucked beneath the trees.
A paddleboarder gliding beneath the shade of large riverside oaks.
Mike gliding beneath the shade of large riverside oaks.
Spanish moss and old trees give parts of the river an unmistakably old-Florida feel.
Spanish moss and old trees give parts of the river an unmistakably old-Florida feel.
One of the colorful and unusual riverfront docks encountered along the way.
One of the colorful and unusual riverfront docks encountered along the way.
Pinellas Paddlers continuing upstream toward Rowlett Park.
Pinellas Paddlers continuing upstream toward Rowlett Park.
A colorful wildlife mural along the river adds another bit of Tampa character.
A colorful wildlife mural along the river adds another bit of Tampa character.
Kayaks and paddleboards moving through a shaded stretch of the Hillsborough.
Kayaks and paddleboards moving through a shaded stretch of the Hillsborough.
Calm water made this an ideal day for an easy group paddle.
Calm water made this an ideal day for an easy group paddle.
Ducks sharing the river with us along the way.
Ducks sharing the river with us along the way.
Tim enjoying a warm February day on the Hillsborough River.
Tim enjoying a warm February day on the Hillsborough River.
Our first close view of the Hillsborough River Dam and the turnaround point ahead.
Our first close view of the Hillsborough River Dam and the turnaround point ahead.
A kayaker paddling below the dam and spillway.
Claire paddling below the dam and spillway.
Taking a closer look at the flowing water below the dam.
Claire a closer look at the flowing water below the dam.
Members of the group gathered beneath the Hillsborough River Dam.
Members of the group gathered beneath the Hillsborough River Dam.
Boats pulled ashore at Rowlett Park while we stopped for lunch.
Boats pulled ashore at Rowlett Park while we stopped for lunch.
Back on the water and beginning the leisurely return toward Lowry Park.
Back on the water and beginning the leisurely return toward Lowry Park.
A paddleboarder beneath a canopy of riverside oaks.
Amy beneath a canopy of riverside oaks.
The group spreading out again on the downstream paddle.
The group spreading out again on the downstream paddle.
Another peaceful, shaded section of the lower river.
Another peaceful, shaded section of the lower river.
Following the group downstream from the bow of my kayak.
Following the group downstream from the bow of my kayak.
Passing one of the river’s unusual floating and waterfront homes.
Passing one of the river’s unusual floating and waterfront homes.
A wonderfully colorful houseboat along the Hillsborough River.
A wonderfully colorful houseboat along the Hillsborough River.
A closer look at one of the most distinctive waterfront structures on the trip.
A closer look at one of the most distinctive waterfront structures on the trip.
Tim enjoying the easy downstream return.
Tim enjoying the easy downstream return.
More turtles warming themselves along the riverbank.
More turtles warming themselves along the riverbank.
A paddleboarder exploring close to the vegetated shoreline.
A paddleboarder exploring close to the vegetated shoreline.
A screened riverfront home overlooking the water.
A screened riverfront home overlooking the water.
A Tampa riverfront home shaded by huge trees and Spanish moss.
A Tampa riverfront home shaded by huge trees and Spanish moss.
Nearing Lowry Park again toward the end of the paddle.
Nearing Lowry Park again toward the end of the paddle.
An old covered dock tucked beneath the trees.
An old covered dock tucked beneath the trees.
The historic Sulphur Springs Water Tower rising above the Hillsborough River.
The historic Sulphur Springs Water Tower rising above the Hillsborough River.
Pinellas Paddlers — the group behind another great day on the water.
Pinellas Paddlers — the group behind another great day on the water.
Route map for the lower Hillsborough River paddle from Lowry Park to the dam at Rowlett Park and back.
Route map for the lower Hillsborough River paddle from Lowry Park to the dam at Rowlett Park and back.

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