Thonotosassa residents enjoy the many boating, kayaking and fishing opportunities in the area by visiting Lake Thonotosassa or John B Sargeant Sr. Park which accesses the Hillsborough River. Many neighborhoods surround the 839-acre lake, the largest in Hillsborough county. The Morris Bridge Park offers fishing and wildlife viewing. 

Nature's Classroom, located on 365 acres at the Hillsborough River, is run by Hillsborough County Schools and offers 6th graders the chance to experience and learn about local habitats in its 3-day immersive programs. The site is open to the general public once a year during the “Woods, Water and Wildlife” Festival that is held annually each Spring.

Thonotosassa homes generally are on large lots surrounded by trees making it ideal for someone who wants privacy and seclusion.