Welcome to Alafia River State Park

This park offers some of the most challenging off-road bicycling trails in Florida. Once the site of a phosphate mine, the reclaimed land has unique topography that offers some of the most radical elevation changes in Florida. Equestrians and hikers can explore 20 miles of trails that travel through mixed hardwood forests, pine flatwoods, and rolling hills. Bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts will delight in the abundance of wildlife along the trails. Scattered lakes and the south prong of the Alafia River provide opportunities for canoeing and fishing. Picnic pavilions, a playground, horseshoe pit, and volleyball court are available. For overnight stays, the park has a full-facility campground and equestrian friendly campsites. Located 10 miles southeast of Tampa on County Road 39.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Alafia River State Park, please call 813-672-5320.

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Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

From the South - Take I-75 North to exit #240. At exit #240, turn Right (East) onto SR 674. Keep straight on SR 674 for approximately 15 miles. Turn Left (North) at flashing light, onto CR 39 for approximately 5 miles. The main park entrance is on the Right side. From the North - Take I-75 South to exit #246. At exit #246, turn Right (East) onto Big Bend Road. Keep straight on Big Bend Road for approximately 1 mile. Turn Right (South) onto U.S. 301. Keep straight on U.S. 301 for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn Left (East) onto CR 672. Follow CR 672 for approximately 12 miles. Turn Left (North) onto CR 39. Keep straight on CR 39 for approximately 1.5 miles. The main park entrance in on the Right side. From the East - Take I-4 West to exit #22. Turn Left onto Park Road. Follow Park Road for approximately 2.5 miles. Bear right onto 39B. Turn Left onto SR 39 (James Redman Parkway). Continue on SR/CR 39 for approximately 15.2 miles. The main park entrance will be on the Left side.

Park Fees

Admission Fees - Vehicles with 2 to 8 people……….$4.00
- Single Occupant Vehicle………….$3.00
- Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Extra Passengers, Passengers in Vehicle with Holder of Annual Individual Entrance Permit………..$1.00

Daily Equestrian Fees: - $6.00 - per horse, up to two horses - per day, plus tax
- $14.00 - per tow vehicle & trailer, 8 person maximum - per day, plus tax

Camping Fees - $18.00 a night, plus tax
(Daily equestrian fees still apply to Equestrian campers; the daily equestrian fees are NOT included in the camping rates

HELMETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL OFF-ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDERS

Activities at Alafia River State Park

	Bicycling With unique topography that offers some of the most radical elevation changes in Florida, the Alafia off- road bicycling trails are the most challenging in the area. There are three major loops - BLACK LOOP is very technical with steep drops and strenuous climbs and is for the advanced rider. BLUE LOOP, Requires the skills of an intermediate rider on short sections. GREEN LOOP, the easiest of the trails, but still challenging, for experienced beginners. Helmets are required on the trails. Trails are indicated by markers with colored symbols on them. There are two sublevels of the BLACK LOOPS identified by a differing number of black diamonds; one diamond is an advanced trail, if you see two diamonds it is an expert level trail. The trails at Alafia River State Park were constructed and are maintained by volunteers from the Southwest Association of Mountain Bike Peddlers (SWAMP). A trail map is available on their web site at Southwest Association of Mountain Bike Pedalers The SWAMP Mountain Bike Club provides a once a month guided trail ride. The club also has a volunteer workday the first Saturday of each month. For more information regarding club and activities, you can visit their web site at Southwest Association of Mountain Bike Pedalers. Or call the Swamp hotline at (813) 689-5109.
	Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing and Kayaking are a popular activities in the Alafia River and the reclaimed lakes. Currently Alafia River State Park does not offer canoe rentals.
	Facilities Overnight camping and ADA accessible picnic shelters and restroom facilities are available.
	Fishing Alafia River State Park offers numerous lakes for fishing. Bass, bluegill and catfish are among the fish that you may catch. Catch and Release is recommended for Large Mouth Bass. A fishing license is required for all freshwater fishing for people 16 and older. Please go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission web site and get your fishing license on-line. Do you need a Fishing License?
	Full Facility Camping Alafia River State Park currently offers camping in our new 30-site campground. Facilities include water, 50 amp electrical service, independent dump station, restroom facilities with showers and ADA accessible picnic shelters. Pets are welcome. 3 ADA accessible campsites are available. Campground restroom facilities are ADA accessible.
	Hiking/Nature Trails Hiking is permitted on all the horse trails and most of the off-road mountain bicycle trails.
	Horse Trails Riders can enjoy a relaxing day of approximately 20 miles of equestrian trails. The horse trails are well marked and wind around lakes, over hills and through wooded areas. The blue trail is a perimeter loop, the white trail runs north and south, the green trail runs east and west, and the yellow trails are island loops. The equestrian trails would not have been possible without the assistance and dedicated volunteers of the Triple B Riding Club. For further information on the Triple B Riding Club visit their web site at Triple B Riding Club. Riders must furnish their own horse. Proof of current Negative Coggins is required.
	Pavilions ADA accessible picnic pavilions are available at the park. 4 Picnic Pavilions (2 in camping area and 2 in picnic area)are ADA accessible.
	Pet Camping Pet camping is available at ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Alafia River State Park. Pets must be confined, leashed (not to exceed six feet in length) or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Tethered pets must not be left unattended for more than 30 minutes. Quiet hours must be observed from 11:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Florida law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Any pet that is noisy, dangerous, intimidating or destructive will not be allowed to remain in the park. Non-furbearing pets, such as reptiles, birds, or fish must be confined or under the physical control of the owner. Some animals may be prohibited on park property. Failure to abide by these rules may result in the camper being asked to board the pet outside the park or to leave the campground.
	Pets Pets are welcome at Alafia River State Park if they are kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash and are well behaved and maintained at all times.
	Picnicking You can enjoy a peaceful picnic lunch with a beautiful view. There is also a playground, volleyball area and horseshoe pits available. 4 Picnic Pavilions (2 in camping area and 2 in picnic area)are ADA accessible. Picnic area restroom facilities are ADA accessible.
	Playground For added enjoyment, the park has a children's playground conveniently located in the picnic area. The playground is equipped with two swing sets and numerous slides.
	Primitive Camping Primitive, group camping is available. Please call the park for more information.
	RV Camping RV camping is available in our new 30-site campground. Facilities include water, 50 amp electrical service, independent dump station, restroom facilities with showers and ADA accessible picnic shelters. Pets are welcome.
	Showers Showers are located in the campground and available to campers only. Shower facilities are ADA accessible.
	Wildlife Viewing Wildlife viewing is possible on all the trails, the picnic area, from the many lakes and the Alafia River so bring your binoculars.

Special Events for Alafia River State Park

• FLORIDA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES #5
  Date: Sunday – October 26, 2008
  Description: One off-road mountain bike race in a series of 8 that will be held on Alafia River State Park’s exceptional trails.
  Fees: Park entry fees still apply. For additional fee information please log on to www.goneriding.com
  Contact: Please log on to www.goneriding.com
  
• THE X-COUNTRY MARATHON
  Date: Sunday – November 23, 2008
  Description: Enjoy the rolling hills and tall grasses of Alafia River State Park as you race on the wide open paths. This 2nd annual off-road race comes just before the Florida marathon season. Try the full marathon or sample the Half-Marathon or 5K courses. Either way, come run with us!
  Fees: For registration fees and additional information, please log on to www.tamparaces.com. Park admission fees still apply.
  Contact: Contact the park at (813) 672-5320
  

Alafia River State Park Ranger Programs

• MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL WORKDAYS
  1st Saturday of each month - 9:00 a.m.
  Do you want to meet new people, get exercise while enjoying the great outdoors? Trail maintenance volunteers needed to lend a helping hand on the off-road mountain bike trails. Participants can receive a campsite for the weekend free of charge. Registration prior to the workday is required and space is limited. Please contact the park for details or to register for a weekend. Contact Art North for additional trail maintenance information at (813) 689-5109 or Art North
  Call (813) 689-5109 for more details.

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.

Alafia River State Park History

Alafia River State Park Volunteer Information

If you enjoy the Park, perhaps you would consider joining our team as a Volunteer. Volunteer positions include campground host, trail maintenance, carpentry, guide/interpreter, and exotic removal. We are always looking for skills and talent that you may have to offer.

Visit the Main Volunteer page for information on volunteering in Florida State Parks

Visit the Main Volunteer page at http://www.floridastateparks.org/volunteers/default.cfm for more detailed Information

Alafia River State Park

14326 South County Road 39
Lithia, Florida 33547
Phone: 813-672-5320
Fax: Contact Park for Number