Hiking Aldermans Ford Park

Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park sits at the confluence of waterways that make up the Alafia River.

It protects a landscape where an early Florida settler, James Alderman, created a ford across the river by cutting into its banks.

Historic marker for Alderman’s Ford

The location became popular in the early 1900s for picnics and rallies.

Towering cypresses, oaks, and pines are a park of the lush riverine habitats you can explore on the park’s trail system.

Benches are provided along the paved trail loop

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.

Overview

Location: Lithia
Length: Up to 7 miles in multiple loops
Trailhead: 27.86712, -82.13813
Address: 100 Alderman’s Ford Park Dr.
Fees: $2 per vehicle
Restroom: At both the main park and canoe launch trailhead
Land manager: Hillsborough County
Phone: 813-757-3801

Alderman’s Ford Park is open 8-7 in the spring and summer, 8-6 in the fall and winter. Leashed dogs welcome.

Extensive picnic grounds are within the main portion of the park off Alderman’s Ford Park Drive. Picnic shelters are available for rental.

Directions

From the corner of Lithia-Pinecrest Rd and CR 39 (12 miles south of Plant City), drive north 1.5 miles on CR 39 to the park entrance on right.

Hikes

A network of trails fans out from the central paved loop in this park that extends from the main entrance to the Canoe Launch entrance a couple miles south along CR 39.

The following route is one of many you can follow by stringing footpaths and boardwalks together off the main paved loop.

Red blazed trail in lush riverine forest

Alderman’s Ford Trails

Weaving though a lush floodplain forest in the Alafia River floodplain, a paved loop provides access to a network of natural pathways, boardwalks, and primitive campsites.

Alderman’s Ford Nature Trail

Access to this half mile hike starts from the parking area at the north end of the park.

Walk the pathway to the nature center to cross the broad bridge over the willow-edged slough.

Bridge behind nature center

This waterway is a good spot to watch for alligators and turtles on logs. A quarter mile loop starts on the opposite side of the bridge.

Turn right to join the broad shellrock path. It winds beneath tall oaks and thickets of cabbage palms.

Shell path through the hammock

After it leads beneath a cluster of ancient oaks in this hardwood forest in the Alafia River basin, it loops back around to meet the bridge.

Base of a very old cypress tree

Return across the bridge to the nature center. It is open on weekends and a great place to take the kids, in tandem with this easy walk.

Picnic pavilion in the woods

Confluence Boardwalk

The North and South Prongs of the Alafia River meet within the heart of the park, with a 0.4 mile boardwalk carrying you along the confluence for scenic views.

This boardwalk is accessed by the paved trail. Via the picnic grounds, it is a 1-mile round-trip hike.

River view in Alderman’s Ford Park

Trail Map

Explore More!

Alafia River Corridor Preserve North

Immediately north of Alderman’s Ford Park is another trailhead accessed via a ballfield complex.
The kiosk marks the start of a trail network in Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve North, which includes a backpacker’s campsite.