Lithia, Florida · Hillsborough County · Census-Designated Place

Country living.
Close to everything.

Fish Hawk is one of Hillsborough County's best-kept secrets — a census-designated place where the Alafia River runs wild, horses graze along conservation corridors, and some of Florida's top-rated schools are just down the road.

A+
Rated Schools
Alafia
River Access
~30mi
to Downtown Tampa
Equestrian
Properties Available
Explore
From the Blog

Local knowledge worth reading

Schools, real estate, the outdoors, VA loans, and what life actually looks like here — written for people making a serious decision about where to live.

We publish in-depth guides about Fish Hawk on a regular basis — the kind of information that's hard to find anywhere else and actually useful when you're deciding whether this is the right place for your family.

School breakdowns. Neighborhood comparisons. Outdoor guides. Market updates. VA loan explainers for military families.

Read the guides →
🏫Schools & Education
🏠Neighborhoods & Real Estate
🌿Outdoors & Nature
🎖VA Loans & Military Families
📊Market Updates
📦Relocation Guides
FishHawk Creek trail
Fish Hawk, FLCensus-Designated Place · Lithia
About Fish Hawk

Not just a neighborhood.
A way of life.

Fish Hawk is a census-designated place (CDP) in eastern Hillsborough County, encompassing communities like FishHawk Ranch, Fish Hawk Trails, and surrounding rural land. It's where the suburban conveniences of Tampa give way to something rarer — river access, open land, equestrian properties, and real breathing room.

🌊
Alafia River NearbyCanoeing, kayaking, fishing, and hiking along one of Florida's most scenic river corridors
🌳
Alderman Ford Conservation ParkNearly 1,700 acres of pristine conservation land with trails, river access, and native wildlife — minutes from your door
🐴
Equestrian-Friendly TerritoryHorse properties, equestrian trails, and the R&R Ranch all make Fish Hawk a genuine home for horse owners
📍
Country Feel, City AccessAbout 24 miles southeast of Tampa — wide open spaces without sacrificing restaurants, shopping, or commute access
The Outdoors

Florida the way it used to be

Fish Hawk sits alongside one of the most pristine natural corridors in Hillsborough County. The Alafia River, Alderman Ford Conservation Park, and Alafia River State Park give residents outdoor access that most Tampa Bay suburbs simply can't match.

🏞️

Alderman Ford Conservation Park

Nearly 1,700 acres of protected land along the Alafia River. Named after James Alderman who built a ford here in 1848, the park features hiking trails, river access, and some of the most unspoiled natural scenery in all of Hillsborough County.

Hiking · River Access · Wildlife
🛶

The Alafia River

The Alafia runs right through the Fish Hawk area — one of Florida's most beloved rivers for canoeing, kayaking, and freshwater fishing. Lithia Springs Park sits right on the river with a natural spring-fed swimming hole open year round.

Kayaking · Fishing · Swimming
🚵

Alafia River State Park

Over 20 miles of mountain biking trails, equestrian areas, hiking, camping, and river access — right in Fish Hawk's backyard. One of Florida's premier mountain biking destinations and a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Mountain Biking · Equestrian · Camping
🎯

FishHawk Sporting Clays

A world-class sporting clays facility right in the community and one of the finest in the Tampa Bay area. The kind of amenity you won't find in any other Hillsborough suburb — and a favorite of locals and visitors alike.

Sporting Clays · Recreation
⛳

River Hills Country Club

A private country club offering golf, tennis, swimming, and fitness. The course winds through the natural landscape alongside the Alafia River corridor — one of the most scenic settings for golf in the region.

Golf · Tennis · Fitness
🌿

More Conservation Land

Chito Branch Reserve, Keysville Park, and Osprey Ridge Park are all within easy reach. The area's deep commitment to conservation means the natural character of Fish Hawk is protected for generations to come.

Trails · Conservation · Open Space
Equestrian Living

Horse country near Tampa

Fish Hawk is one of the few areas in greater Tampa Bay where you can genuinely live with your horses. Equestrian properties, riding trails, and a community that values the land make this a rare find this close to a major city.

🐴
R&R RanchHorseback riding and equestrian facilities in the Lithia area — a local institution for the horse community
🛤️
Alafia River Corridor TrailsDedicated equestrian trails winding through the Alafia River Corridor — some of the best trail riding in Hillsborough County
🏡
Horse Properties & AcreageAgriculturally zoned properties with acreage for horses, barns, and pasture — increasingly rare this close to Tampa
🌄
Alafia River State Park Equestrian AreaDedicated equestrian trails and staging areas within the state park — open year round for trail riders
🌾
Deep Agricultural RootsFish Hawk and surrounding Lithia have a long history in cattle ranching and agriculture — it's in the DNA of the place
Osprey on the Alafia River
Education

One of Florida's strongest school zones

Fish Hawk is served by Hillsborough County Public Schools — and its zone is widely considered one of the strongest in the state. Every level earns an A-rating from Florida, and most schools are located right inside the community.

The trifecta that draws families here: Fish Hawk is one of the only zones in all of Tampa Bay where elementary, middle, AND high school are all Florida A-rated. Bevis Elementary has been ranked the #1 elementary school in Hillsborough County and consistently places among the top schools statewide.
🏫 Public Elementary Schools
Bevis Elementary SchoolPK–5 · Inside FishHawk Ranch · #1 ranked in Hillsborough County · Blue Ribbon School
A
FishHawk Creek Elementary SchoolPK–5 · Inside FishHawk Ranch · Top 5% in Florida · Purple Star Military School
A
Stowers Elementary SchoolPK–5 · Inside FishHawk Ranch
A
Lithia Springs Elementary SchoolPK–5 · Lithia area
A
Pinecrest Elementary SchoolPK–5 · Lithia area
A
🏫 Public Middle Schools
Randall Middle School6–8 · 16510 Fishhawk Blvd, Lithia · Home of the Hawks
A
Barrington Middle School6–8 · Village Center Dr, Lithia
A
🏫 Public High School
Newsome High School9–12 · 16550 Fishhawk Blvd, Lithia · Home of the Wolves · Elite Athletic Program · Macy's Parade Marching Band
A
🏫 Private Schools Nearby
St. Stephen's Catholic SchoolLithia area · K–8 · Catholic
Private
Foundation Christian AcademyLithia area · Christian
Private
Brandon Montessori School4223 Lynx Paw Trail, Valrico · Montessori
Private
Interactive Education Academy1474 Bloomingdale Ave, Valrico
Private
Real Estate

Find your place in Fish Hawk

From master-planned communities to rural acreage with horse properties — Fish Hawk offers a wider range of home types than virtually any other suburb in Tampa Bay.

~$565k
Median List Price
$250k–$1M+
Price Range
Acreage
Properties Available
New Build
Options Available

FishHawk Ranch & West

$300k – $1M+

The area's flagship master-planned community. Single-family homes, townhomes, villas, and the Encore 55+ village. Resort amenities, walkable neighborhoods, and all A-rated schools.

Fish Hawk Trails

$400k – $800k+

A gated community with larger lots, more privacy, and a quieter character. Popular with buyers who want the A-rated schools with more land between neighbors.

Rural & Equestrian Properties

Varies by acreage

Agriculturally zoned acreage — some with barns, pasture, and full equestrian setups. A rare find this close to Tampa. Ideal for horse owners or anyone wanting true land.

💡
Wondering what you can actually afford in Fish Hawk? Between list price, HOA fees, CDD assessments, and property taxes, the monthly number can look different than it seems. A quick conversation with Swift Home Mortgage → gives you a clear, honest picture before you start touring.
Getting Around

Farther from the city. Closer than you think.

Fish Hawk's location off I-75 makes the commute more manageable than the address suggests. Beaches, Orlando, and MacDill AFB are all within easy reach.

30min
Downtown Tampa

Via I-75 North. Recent highway improvements have made the commute noticeably faster for Fish Hawk residents.

25min
MacDill Air Force Base

A short commute makes Fish Hawk a popular choice for active duty military and veterans. Strong VA loan market here.

45min
Tampa International Airport

About 28 miles northwest via I-75. Easy access for frequent travelers and relocating families.

60min
Gulf Coast Beaches

Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, and Anna Maria Island all within an hour — easy weekend escapes from the country.

Ready to Make Your Move?

Let's talk about making Fish Hawk home

Whether you're just starting to explore or ready to get serious — the team at Swift Home Mortgage knows the Fish Hawk market inside and out, including VA loans for the many military families who call this area home.

📞 Call Josh directly: (813) 606-4255 →

Get in touch

We'll follow up within one business day.

By submitting you agree to be contacted by Swift Home Mortgage. NMLS# 1762673. Licensed in Florida.

Common Questions

Things people ask before moving to Fish Hawk

Real questions from people who've researched this area. Don't see yours? Reach out directly.

Fish Hawk is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hillsborough County — not an incorporated city or a single neighborhood. It's a defined geographic area that encompasses several communities including FishHawk Ranch, FishHawk Ranch West, Fish Hawk Trails, and surrounding rural and agricultural land within unincorporated Lithia, FL.
Yes — portions of the Fish Hawk CDP are zoned agricultural, where horses and livestock are permitted. Equestrian properties with acreage, barns, and pasture are available in the area. This is one of the things that makes Fish Hawk genuinely unique compared to other Tampa suburbs. Work with a real estate agent who knows which parcels are appropriately zoned.
Very close. The Alafia River runs directly through the Fish Hawk area, and Alderman Ford Conservation Park — which sits along the river — is just minutes from most Fish Hawk communities. Lithia Springs Park is also a short drive away with natural spring-fed swimming. You can kayak, canoe, and fish without getting on the highway.
Both share the same A-rated school zone. FishHawk Ranch is a large master-planned community with resort amenities, pools, trails, and a town center. Fish Hawk Trails is a gated community with larger lots and a quieter, more private feel. It comes down to whether you want resort-style amenities or more land and seclusion.
Absolutely — and Fish Hawk is popular with military families partly because of the 25-minute commute to MacDill AFB. VA loans can be used throughout the area. There are some nuances around HOA and CDD fees in master-planned communities — working with a lender experienced specifically in VA loans makes a meaningful difference.
It depends on which community you're buying in. FishHawk Ranch has both an HOA and a CDD — HOA fees typically range from $10–$316/month depending on village and home type, while CDD fees are built into your annual property tax bill. Fish Hawk Trails has a separate HOA structure. Rural properties may have no HOA at all. Always confirm current fees before making an offer.