Frequently Asked Questions about Alafia River State Park

Question: Are the lakes connected to the Alafia River?
Answer: The many lakes do not directly connect with the river, nor do the lakes interconnect with one another.

Question: What types of fish are in the lakes?
Answer: Fish in the lakes consist of large mouth bass, bream, and catfish. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have stocked some of the lakes with sunshine bass, specked perch, and catfish.

Question: What Recreational opportunities does Alafia River State Park have to offer?
Answer: Alafia River State Park has a variety of recreational opportunities. At this time there is picnicking, hiking, wildlife viewing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing (in the lakes or the Alafia River,) approximately 20 miles of horse trails some of which are also carriage accessible. 14 miles of bike trails from beginner to advanced. Camping, to include horse camping is also available.

Question: How are the State Parks funded? With Money?
Answer: The State Parks are funded through a small percentage of property document stamps. Primarily they are funded through fees collected within the park (entrance, camping and recreational user fees.)

Question: How was the land obtained?
Answer: This large parcel of land was a generous donation to the state from the Brewster/Cytec Mines.

Question: How do the Alafia River State Park trails compare to other trails in the area and the state?
Answer: Alafia River State Park has some of the most diverse trails in the area and possible in the state. The mountain bike trails are built among the mined land, which creates hilly and adventurous riding. The horse trails offer a variety of trails through oak hammock, pine flatwoods, and along many of the lakes. Both trails systems offer breathtaking views and picture-perfect scenery. Hikers are welcome on all trail systems.

Question: What type of wildlife can be seen at the Alafia River State Park?
Answer: Alafia River State Park has a large variety of wildlife to be seen. The Sherman fox squirrel, white tail deer, red fox, bobcat, marsh rabbit, the American alligator, and the river otter to name a few.

Question: What type of bird life exists at Alafia River?
Answer: We have a very large variety of bird life, both water and land birds. The great blue heron, the snowy egret, the wood stork, the osprey, the turkey vulture, the red-cockadeed woodpecker, the red-shouldered hawk, the Eastern meadowlark, and you may even get a glimpse of the southern bald eagle.