Kayakers on the Alafia River through Cypress Roots

Alafia River Paddle Trip

Alafia River Paddle, The Alafia River is a tree lined river with cypress trees, oaks and palms trees that lean out over the river giving paddlers shade.Β  Many areas along the river have high steep banks so there are not many take outs.Β  We normally put in at Lithia Springs Park and paddle up river about 3 miles and come back. But you can also put in at Alderman Ford Park and paddle the 10 miles to Lithia Springs Park but it requires a self shuttle down to Lithia Springs Park.

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Alafia River

TheΒ Alafia RiverΒ is 25 miles long, with aΒ watershedΒ of 335 square miles inΒ Hillsborough County, Florida, flowing intoΒ Tampa Bay. The watershed contains ten namedΒ lakesΒ andΒ ponds, and 29 namedΒ rivers,Β streamsΒ andΒ canals. During the rainy season, excess water is pumped to theΒ C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir, which opened in 2005.

For centuries the Alafia River was home to theΒ TocobagaΒ Indians. From their settlement at the mouth of the river to their hunting camps upstream, the Indians left traces of their lives and activities.

In the sixteenth century, the expeditions ofΒ PΓ‘nfilo de NarvΓ‘ezΒ andΒ Hernando de SotoΒ explored the coastal areas ofΒ Tampa BayΒ and visited the Indians, making the first written account and charting the first maps of the Alafia River. On an early map the name β€˜Alafia’ does not appear, but rather the translation,Β Hunting River. The β€˜Alafia’ is a native word meaning β€œRiver of Fire.” This is due to the strong red/brown color caused by tiny algae spores in the water.

Part of the river exists within the confines of theΒ Alafia River State Park.

Lithia Springs Regional Park,Β  is a park inΒ Lithia,Β Hillsborough County,Β Florida. The park’s major attraction is a natural spring from which water flows year-round at a temperature of 72 degrees. Sixty per-cent of the park is surrounded by theΒ Alafia River, into which the water from the spring flows.

In addition to the popular swimming area, the park includes forty-four campsites and two indoor shower facilities, as well as canoe and kayak launch facilities and canoe rental. There is a large grassy area. a fishing dock, volleyball, and hiking trails.

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