Alafia River Property

Alafia River Trip Planning County: Hillsborough

Nearest towns: Brandon/Riverview   

Trip length: 10 miles

Mileage: Mile 0-Alderman’s Ford County Park – Mile 10-Lithia Springs County Park

Difficulty: Easy to moderate Skill level: Beginner to intermediate

**The provided mileage data is approximate (rounded to the nearest 0.5 mi) and shouldn’t be relied upon for navigation.

Alafia River Paddling Trail

(Access Point 1) Put-in: Alderman’s Ford County Park.
Nearest town to put-in: Brandon/Riverview     Miles from put-in: 15
Directions to put-in: Alderman’s Ford is easily accessed from SR 60 from the north or CR 640 from the south. From SR 60, turn south on to CR 39, then west onto Thompson Rd. (park sign on corner). From CR 640, turn north on to CR 39, then west onto Thompson Rd. (park sign on corner).
(Access Point 2) Take-out: Lithia Springs County Park.
Nearest town to take-out: Brandon/Riverview            Miles from take-out:10
Directions to take-out: Lithia Springs County Park is located one mile east of CR 640 on Lithia Springs Rd. Coming from the east, turn left onto Lithia Springs Rd. Coming from the west, turn right onto Lithia Springs Rd.
Distance from put-in to take-out: Approximately 6 miles. USGS quads: Riverview, Lithia Gazeteer page: 91-92

Outfitters within 20 miles of trail:

Alafia Canoe Rentals (813)-689-8645
Shuttle service offered: Yes

 
USGS link (water level info): http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?02301500
Other water level info: Call outfitter (813) 689 8645, email Hillsborough County Stream Waterwatch
at streamwaterwatch@bellsouth.net  (813) 757-2186

 
Break / Lunch areas: Designated stop-off points and signage at sandy bank areas.

 
Camping options: Lithia Springs County Park (fee, no reservations; first-come, first-serve. 40 sites)

Park hours vary with the season (call 813-744-5572)
Other lodging: Nearby lodging available in Brandon/Riverview area
Food/Beverage restrictions: No alcohol allowed in the parks

Expect on the river:

• Pull-overs: Several  
• Low branches: None  
• Narrow water: None  
• Shallow water: Possible with low water levels
• Strong currents: Short stretches of shoals and Class I rapids
• Rocks: Limestone shoals
• Houses: Very few
• Shoals: Numerous Class I rapids (depending on water levels)
• Tight turns: None
• Open water: None
• Springs: Two springs at Lithia Springs County Park. Paddlers are not allowed into the spring run.
• Wildlife: Ibis, woodstork, osprey, red-shouldered hawk, pileated woodpecker, kingfisher, blue heron, songbirds, alligators, turtles.
• Natural communities: Scrub, hardwood hammock, river swamp
• Portages: None
• Swimming: Not recommended in the river due to posted pollution warnings. Swimming is allowed at Lithia Springs, as long as boats are tied up at the mouth of the spring run. Motorboats: Motorboats are allowed, but rarely seen.  Beyond Bell Shoals Rd., motorboats are more prevalent.

Expect at parking: 

(Lithia Spring County Park, 3932 Lithia Springs Rd., Lithia, FL 33547  (813) 744-5572):

 Parking fee: Entrance fee at Lithia Springs County Park. 100 spots.

(No overnight parking unless camping).
 Bathrooms: Yes
 Camping: Yes
 Camping fees: Yes
 Crowds: Not usually
 Boat Ramp: No
 Potable water source: Yes.
 Canoe/kayak launch: Yes, easy to use launch.

Expect at parking Alderman’s Ford County Park: (813) 757-3801:

 Parking fee: There is no fee at Alderman’s Ford and no overnight parking. 20 spots.
 Bathrooms: Yes
 Camping: No
 Camping fees: No camping
 Crowds: Not usually
 Boat Ramp: No
 Potable water source: Yes
 Canoe/kayak launch: Yes, easy to use