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

This spectacular Alafia River Home just sold.  Riverfront properties are always in demand and Team Sumberg knows where to find them. 

If you are thinking about owning or selling an Alafia River property, contact Team Sumberg.

Paul@TeamSumberg.com.

Bass fishermen should take advantage of the conditions, as the fish most surely will.

Before the last cold blast, Pat Jacobs of Pinecrest walked the banks of the Alafia’s south prong with his younger brother for a morning of fishing. Three-and-a-half hours later, the duo had a limit stringer of bass from 2-8 pounds. Between the two, more than 40 fish were caught with the majority coming on topwater.

Jacobs used a Devil Horse, while his brother threw a Tiny Torpedo and alternated with a plastic worm. Pat Jacobs noted the fish they took home were full of roe and their bellies were full of crawfish.

Across Hillsborough County, there are several state and county parks with easy bank access and most will be holding fish. With water levels extremely low, there aren’t a lot of places for the fish to hide.

The Jacobs brothers walked until they found a river bend or dark washout hole and tossed their baits across the hole. Jacobs felt confident that had he not been pressed for time, a 100-fish day wasn’t out of the question.

In addition to the bass, catfish, stump knockers and bluegill also will hold in these holes and would create an excellent opportunity to introduce a kid to fishing. A can of wiggler worms and a cane pole is all you need to make a young child’s day.

Even if the fishing is slow, you are almost guaranteed to see turtles sunning on logs, an occasional otter and gator, raccoons, and several varieties of Florida’s wading birds. Take advantage of Florida’s treasures as they are disappearing every day

Reprinted from a TBO article by Mark Cook

The new wheelchair-accessible pier is open for business.

Money from the state’s Boating Improvement Fund, provided through boat registration fees, paid for the upgrades, which include new dock bumpers at the boat ramps and new water fountains for the park.

The park also will get a new paved parking area, sidewalks to picnic areas and new partitions in the restrooms.

Williams Park is one of the most heavily used parks in the county, with people fishing from the pier and launching boats for trips to the Alafia River and Tampa Bay, said John Brill, spokesman for the Hillsborough County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation.

This custom built 4 bedroom, 3 bath Alafia River Home with guest suite below is nestled in both a natural and lavishly landscaped setting. The 150 feet of riverfront includes a boat dock and covered 5000 lb lift.  2+ acres, 2113 sq. ft. living area, 2 1/2 car garage with workshop says come home to peace and quiet with room to spare. Top floor boasts a large great room with Majestic gas fireplace, vaulted ceiling with cupola bathing the room in natural light as well as french doors to several of the screened porches.  Below is a screened entertainment or recreation area as well as an ample guest suite with wet bar.  Access to the guest suite is either by ground floor entrance or wrought iron & oak spiral staircase to great room above.  This home has only the best.  High-line plumbing fixtures and Hunter paddle fans throughout.  The master suite includes his and her walk in closets, two sinks, a garden tub and a glass-block walk in shower.  Outside you will notice lush landscaping with lighting and micro-jet irrigation as well as the natural plants and trees.  You will drive 650 feet down a private shell driveway to reach the home.  If you look, you will see selective landscaping mixed in with the natural plants and trees as you get closer to the home.  Immediately around the home are walkways paved with brick pavers, beautiful plants and lighting and then you see the river.  Come and see it for yourself.

Oh yeah, it’s $449,500.   What’d I tell you?

Awesome is an understatement!

We should have the interior tour done in a couple days.  It won’t disappoint you, I promise.

For details on this or other Alafia River Properties, contact Paul J. Sumberg, Sr.  paul@TeamSumberg.com (813) 240-8734

Really, REALLY soon this Alafia River Home will hit the Tampa Bay Market.

Check back here soon for all the jucy details.   You don’t want to miss this one.

or check on www.TeamSumberg.com or www.WeHaveLuxuryHomes.com

Alafia 2009

The Southeast’s largest pre-1840 interpretive encampment.

Over 1,200 participants living in camps and portraying many different cultures and regions of early America.  Over 100 craftsmen and “stores” demonstrating/selling a large variety of historical reproductions.

Participants early arrival starts January 14 – 16, 2009

Main encampment begins January 17 – 24, 2009

Public Days will be Friday January 23, 2009 &

Saturday January, 24, 2009

Team Sumberg Just wrote an offer on a couple vacant lots along the Alafia River. 

We also just listed a marvelous home on the river with all the benefits of the quiet upper river AND the depth to accommodate power boats of the lower river.  2+ acres, boat doc and lift and lots of green features.  Stay Tuned for Details!

If you are interested in living on the Alafia River, contact Paul Sumberg with Team Sumberg and Keller Williams.  info@TeamSumberg.com  (866) 323-3981

If you are thinking about selling, I can help make that happen as well.

cforms contact form by delicious:days

December 24, 2008

Custom built for a well known Chef and Restaurateur, This home is now available to the right buyer.

3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 25′ X 30′ master suite with large sitting room/office and a kitchen with miles and miles of granite, custom cabinets and an island that means business!  Outside we have a custom built entertainment area perfect for close friends and suitable for dozens of guests.  It even includes a lighted karaoke stage.

Contact Keller Williams Realty – Paul J. Sumberg, Sr for details. 813.240.8734 paul@TeamSumberg.com