Hiking Wortham Park

Protecting over a hundred acres of land, Stephen J. Wortham Park provides a variety of options for family-friendly outdoor recreation.

The park features a lake that is managed by the state as a fish management area. A popular fishing dock, picnic area, and playground are situated lakeside.

Their wooded nature trail is also an access point to a larger trail system in neighboring Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve.

Along the loop hike at Stephen J. Worthham Park

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

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Overview

Location: Riverview
Length: 1.3 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.824099, -82.287759
Address: 12108 Rhodine Rd, Riverview
Fees: Free
Restrooms: Yes, at the trailhead.
Land manager: Hillsborough County
Phone: 813-744-5978

Open Sunrise to Sunset. Dogs allowed on a leash.

Directions

From the interchage off Interstate 75 for Gibsonton Dr in Riverview, head northeast on Gibsonton Dr for 1 mile, continuing straight across US 301, where it becomes Boyette Rd. In .8 miles, turn right onto Balm Riverview Rd. Continue straight for 2.5 miles, before turning left onto Rhodine Rd. The driveway to the park is on the left in .6 mile. The trailhead is located at the end of the road.

Hike

The main drive ends at a turnaround, where a green-topped post marks the beginning of the Bluestem Trail.

Follow a paved pathway leading into the forest for a tenth of a mile before reaching a sturdy, though sometimes slippery wooden bridge.

Bridge over wetland

Crossing the wooden walkway, green blazes guide the way along a narrow sandy trail lined with clusters of thin grasses.

Pine and oak trees dot a landscape of short shrubby vegetation covered with grape, catbrier, and mimosa vines.

Mimosa in bloom

An impressively diverse variety of native plants flank the trail on both sides, flowering at different times throughout the year.

Florida pennyroyal and dwarf huckleberries bloom in the spring, followed by the creamy white petals on netted pawpaws.

The fall season brings splashes of yellow and purple blossoms of goldenrod and blazing stars.

Spike of yellow goldenrod nodding along a trail

Goldenrod in bloom

This abundance of greenery attracts a multitude of wildlife, as several species of butterfly drift alongside the path, while countless birds chatter in the bushes and trees.

Gopher tortoises are commonly seen in the morning or late afternoon moseying down a side of the trail, munching on various grasses.

Grazing gopher tortoise

Shade comes and goes as the trail navigates a curious blend of habitats, with elements of hammocks, flatwoods, scrub, and sandhills.

Continue straight at 0.2 mile, staying on the green blazed loop, and then stay to the left at 0.3 mile, at an intersection with the red trail leading into Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve.

Moss-draped live oaks forming a tunnel over trail

Oak hammock

Heading westward, the landscape becomes progressively drier, as water oak and longleaf pine give way to silk bay, sand pine.

Goldenasters sport vibrant yellow flowers late in the year. The pathway transitions to stark white sugar sand as trail markers become far less frequent.

It helps to have an aerial map on hand to navigate the far side of the loop as it curves back towards the east.