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 FordThe 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 loopResources
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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.
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 centerThis 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 hammockAfter 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 treeReturn 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 woodsConfluence 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 ParkTrail 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.
Alafia River Corridor North Looping through a former phosphate mine north of the Alafia River, this hike showcases the resilience of nature as the forest reclaims the land. Slideshow
See our photos from Aldermans Ford Park
Video
A virtual walk in the woods at Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park
Nearby Adventures
Edward Medard Conservation Park Meandering over hilly terrain past numerous scenic overlooks, the Singing Bluffs Trail at Edward Medard Conservation Park provides great birding among documented nesting bird colonies.
Fishhawk Creek Preserve North Hike rolling sandhills and rugged terrain sloping towards scenic views of the Alafia River and Little Fishhawk Creek near Lithia Springs.
Alderman’s Ford Preserve Discover a surprising play of whitewater across the Alafia River where the river churns as it winds through a deeply eroded channel.
Alafia River State Park Alafia River State Park lets you launch on a Florida downhill while mountain biking the rugged terrain of a reforested open pit mine. 
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