Experiences & Amenities

A full-service bike shop offers quality rentals, repair services and lessons at the park.

Off-road bicyclists enjoy the steep grades and challenging trails at this park. Once the site of a phosphate mine, the topography offers some of the most radical elevation changes in Florida.

The park offers a wide variety of bicycle trails, ranging from beginner to highly advanced.

• Pets are not allowed on the bike trails.
• Helmets are required for all cyclists on our trails. Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.
• Helmet loans available at the ranger station.

Bring your binoculars and your life list for excellent birding at Alafia River State Park.

Wading birds such as egrets and herons are commonly seen by the river and lake shores. Keep a watch out for roseate spoonbills, which are sometimes seen foraging at the water’s edge. Look for hawks, bald eagles and owls.

Boaters can enjoy the waters of the Alafia River by accessing the South Prong of the river using a boat ramp that is located on Thatcher Road, south of the park.

• This prong of the river is a blackwater stream that flows through the park.
• Gas-powered motors are not allowed on the lake.

Glamping

Comfy Camping Glamping Rentals offers year-round, furnished, luxury bell tent rentals on large shelled sites near the bathhouse and horse barn. Each glamping site features queen size memory foam mattress, cooler, toy box, kitchen station with cooking tools, shade structure, grill, outdoor seating, fire pit, lights, fans, solar power, potable water, and more. Book now on our website  or call 813-713-3818 with questions.

Family campground is suitable for RVers and tent campers. Campers will find water and electrical hookups at each of the 30 campsites. Clean restrooms feature solar-heated showers. There are two large picnic pavilions in the campground.

Equestrian campers have access to 12 sites with equestrian designation and tie-outs for horses. Equestrian campers can access the barn, which is a short walk from the campground.

• Twelve stables and six paddocks are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Extra parking for trailers can be accessed near the barn area. Equestrians and hikers can explore 20 miles of hilly trails through forests and flatwoods, stopping to relax and admire the park's enchanting lakes.

• For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.

Family campground is suitable for RVers and tent campers. Campers will find water and electrical hookups at each of the 30 campsites. Clean restrooms feature solar-heated showers. There are two large picnic pavilions in the campground.

Equestrian campers have access to 12 sites with equestrian designation and tie-outs for horses. Equestrian campers can access the barn, which is a short walk from the campground.

• Twelve stables and six paddocks are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Extra parking for trailers can be accessed near the barn area. Equestrians and hikers can explore 20 miles of hilly trails through forests and flatwoods, stopping to relax and admire the park's pristine lakes.

• For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.

There is a primitive group camp available to youths associated with nonprofit organizations and organized chaperoned groups. Reservations must be made 30 days in advance.

A group of six or more people can reserve the primitive group camp area; however, there must be one chaperone per 10 youth.

• Reserve by calling the ranger station at 813-672-5320. Download agreement form. 

A bottomland forest bordering the South Prong of the Alafia River was protected from mining. This prong of the river is a blackwater stream that flows through the park.

The stream, bordered by red maple, swamp tupelo and water hickory trees, is ideal for canoeing and fishing. 

There are numerous small lakes where anglers may catch largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish. Catch and release is recommended for largemouth bass.

The Thatcher Road bridge and fishing pier give anglers access to riverbank fishing on the South Prong of the Alafia River.

• All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.

• A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. 

The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land-use ethics should be followed.

• Operation Recreation GeoTour

Hikers can explore around 20 miles of trails that wind through mixed hardwood forests, pine flatwoods, rolling hills and many  lakes with abundant wildlife. 

Equestrians can explore around 20 miles of trails that wind through mixed hardwood forests, pine flatwoods, rolling hills and many  lakes with abundant wildlife. 

A full-service bike shop offers quality rentals, repair services and lessons at the park.

Off-road bicyclists enjoy the steep grades and challenging trails at this park. Once the site of a phosphate mine, the topography offers some of the most radical elevation changes in Florida.

The park offers a wide variety of bicycle trails, ranging from beginner to highly advanced.

• Pets are not allowed on the bike trails.
• Helmets are required for all cyclists on our trails. Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.
• Helmet loans available at the ranger station.

A bottomland forest bordering the South Prong of the Alafia River was protected from mining. This prong of the river is a blackwater stream that flows through the park.

The stream, bordered by red maple, swamp tupelo and water hickory trees, is ideal for canoeing and fishing.

• The South Prong of the Alafia River is navigable by canoe upstream to Lake Hurrah.

A picnic area features two large picnic pavilions with tables and charcoal grills. The playground is nearby.

Pavilions are available for rent for birthday parties, family reunions or wedding ceremonies.

• Contact the park office at 813-672-5320 for details.

Visitors on foot can explore around 20 miles of trails that wind through mixed hardwood forests, pine flatwoods, rolling hills, and many serene lakes.

Pavilions are available for rent for birthday parties, family reunions or wedding ceremonies.

• Contact the park at 813-672-5320 for details. 

While enjoying the park’s trails, watch for white-tailed deer, bobcat, river otter, fox and gopher tortoise. 

• Take caution near the river and lakes and watch for alligators, which sometimes can be seen sunning themselves on the shores.