Lithia Springs Conservation Park

Thirty minutes southeast of downtown Tampa, in 160 acres of live oak and river-bottom forest on the Alafia River, a spring vent pushes 35 million gallons of 72-degree water a day through a limestone outcrop and into a clear, oval swimming pool. On the far side of the pool, the spring run exits east and joins the tannin-dark Alafia in a striking blue-meets-brown plume visible from the canoe launch. Lithia Springs is the closest natural spring to Tampa Bay — and on summer Saturdays, every family within thirty miles knows it.

The county runs a capacity system: 200 swimmers per four-hour slot, two slots per day. Swim bands go on sale at the gate at 8 a.m. and can sell out within the hour.

• Location: Lithia (Hillsborough County), 30 min SE of Tampa
• Address: 3932 Lithia Springs Road, Lithia, FL 33547
• Hours: 8 a.m.–7 p.m. (summer); 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (winter)
• Vehicle entry: $2 per vehicle
• Swim band: $2 per person (on top of vehicle entry)
• Swim slots: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (Slot 1) / 2–6 p.m. (Slot 2); max 200 per slot
• Water temperature: 72°F year-round
• Magnitude: Second-magnitude (~35M gal/day)
• Park size: 160 acres on the Alafia River
• Camping: 45 sites with electric/water hookups
• Phone: 813-744-5572

• Tampa: 30 minutes (I-75 south to SR-60 east, then south on Lithia Pinecrest Road)
• Brandon: 20 minutes (SR-60 east)
• Orlando: 1.5 hours (I-4 west to I-75 south)
• Lakeland: 45 minutes
• Sarasota: 1 hour

The swimming area is an oval, sandy-bottomed pool roughly 100 by 200 feet, with 72°F water so clear the vent grate at 10–15 feet is visible from the surface. Swim bands are sold on-site only — no advance reservations. Two 4-hour slots per day (9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2–6 p.m.), max 200 swimmers each. Lifeguards on duty; 15-minute safety breaks clear the pool periodically.

On summer Saturdays, Slot 1 can sell out within 30–60 minutes of the 8 a.m. park opening. Arrive before 8:30 a.m. or plan a weekday visit.

• Swimming in the spring-fed pool — the main draw. Lifeguarded. 72°F, crystal-clear.
• Kayaking and canoeing the Alafia River — the park's canoe launch is the takeout for the 10–11.5 mile Alafia River Paddling Trail from Alderman's Ford Regional Park upstream. Allow 4+ hours for the full downriver run. Mild Class I limestone shoals.
• Tubing — popular on the spring run and upper Alafia section.
• Nature trails — several miles through cypress swamp and hardwood hammock, plus the 3.5-mile FishHawk Creek Nature Preserve loop.
• Camping — 45 sites with 30/50-amp electric and water hookups, fire pits, grills, picnic tables, bathhouse. $24/night ($18 seniors 55–64; $12 Hillsborough residents 65+). Reserve at hillsboroughcounty.org.
• Fishing — dock on the Alafia River.
• Playground, volleyball.

Alafia River Canoe Rentals — 4419 River Drive, Valrico (~15 min from park). Operating since 1976. Canoe and kayak rentals with shuttle to Alderman's Ford for the downriver run. ~$25/canoe. 813-689-8645.

• Camping on site — best option for overnighting. Riverside sites 33–40 are the most coveted.
• Brandon/Riverview (~15–20 min) — chain hotels along I-75 and SR-60.
• Plant City (~35 min) — Holiday Inn Express; quieter setting.

Dining: No food in the park. Supermarket 2 miles from the entrance. Brandon/Riverview US-301 corridor has full chain and local dining.

• Arrive before 8:30 a.m. on summer weekends. The 200-swimmer Slot 1 sells out fast. Weekdays are dramatically calmer.
• $2 vehicle + $2/person swim. Cheap by any measure.
• Alligators in the Alafia River. Do not swim outside the designated spring area. The river and spring run are gator habitat.
• Strong current in sections of the spring run and Alafia after heavy rain. Check with the park or Alafia River Canoe Rentals before paddling after storms.
• Park can flood after heavy rain — call 813-744-5572 to confirm before a long drive.
• No alcohol. No pets in the swim area.
• The blue-meets-brown plume where the spring run meets the Alafia is worth walking to the canoe launch to see.

Last verified: May 28, 2026. Swim bands are sold on-site only (no advance reservations). Verify hours, fees, and campsite availability at hillsboroughcounty.org or call 813-744-5572.