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Aldermans Ford Nature Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 223 Google reviews · Running trail in Plant City, Florida · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 1.8 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Aldermans Ford Nature Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Nature preserve featuring trails leading to the Alafia River.
What runners say about Aldermans Ford Nature Preserve
“Lovely picnic spots and pavilions, playground, and bathrooms, strategically located throughout the park perfectly clean and beautiful.”
“Each time I visit a Florida park or preserve I think to myself it couldn’t get much more beautiful, and every time it does, this place was five stars and beyond.”
“The park is well maintained with plenty of shade and walking trails.”
“There is a nice wooded trail that takes you straight to the river that was gorgeous and peaceful.”
A beautiful preserve along a section of the Alifia River not far from the conservation park. Trails heading NW loop around the vicinity of the property and SW down to the river in both directions. A lovely little hike for my dog and I.
Go canoeing 🛶! The weather is just right. Nice park to explore . I guess my walking partner (svn) Don’t wanna go with me anymore… so I just went myself .
Just so beautiful especially this time … trails and boardwalks is a must
What a wonderful place to take a walk. The paved pathway is well maintained and most of it is shaded. There is a dirt trail that you can take which brings you back to the paved pathway and this was the best part since it’s much quieter. Lots of gators, turtles and of course, great egrets to be spotted.
Trail conditions & character
“Each time I visit a Florida park or preserve I think to myself it couldn’t get much more beautiful, and every time it does, this place was five stars and beyond.”
“The energy here feels deeply rooted in community and care, with thoughtfully designed trails, both paved and unpaved, that invite everyone to experience the beauty of the land.”
“(If you end up at the alderman Ford park with is a wooded trail, this one is about an 10 minute drive from that, then the canoe launch is right up the road from this park too)”
“There is a nice wooded trail that takes you straight to the river that was gorgeous and peaceful.”
“Lovely picnic spots and pavilions, playground, and bathrooms, strategically located throughout the park perfectly clean and beautiful.”
“8-mile loop and more winds through the area, along with additional red and blue trails that follow the river more closely.”
“Remember to drive to the trailhead, not the north side for the canoes.”
“Great place for a walk with the dog or a bike ride.”
“There is a dirt trail that you can take which brings you back to the paved pathway and this was the best part since it’s much quieter.”
Plan your run at Aldermans Ford Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance1.8 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitehillsboroughcounty.org
- Phone+1 813-672-7876
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–6 pm |
Running trails near Plant City
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve - North
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Former phosphate mine is now a nature preserve with hiking trails, camping, and picnic areas.
Edward Medard Conservation Park
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Beautiful, lakefront park featuring hiking trails, campgrounds and alligator sightings.
Hillsborough County Medard Park
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Natural area features a reservoir for fishing & boating, BBQ picnic spots, a playground & trails.
Triple Creek Nature Preserve
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Stephen J. Wortham Park
3.8 ★★★★☆ 238 reviews
Playground and lakeside spot for kayaking on a lake surrounded by trails and woods.
Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve
4.2 ★★★★☆ 82 reviews
Relaxed nature preserve featuring 2 main trails which snake through oaks and pines as well as scrubland.