Lithia

Lithia is the rural end of eastern Hillsborough, and the address FishHawk technically sits inside. Head east past the Ranch and the subdivisions thin out fast into pasture, phosphate land and river.

The outdoors

Alafia River State Park has some of the best mountain biking in Florida, built on reclaimed phosphate land, which is why a flat state has real elevation here. Lithia Springs Park has the swimming hole locals grew up on. Both draw people from across the bay on weekends.

What it is like

Bigger lots, horses, and a slower pace than anywhere else we cover. Lithia Pinecrest Road is the spine. Cell service gets thin the further east you go.

What we cover here

Park conditions and closures, the trails, community events, and the small businesses working out this direction.