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Alafia River

Lithia, Florida
(View other Lithia area campgrounds)

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Ownership: State Government
Official website: floridastateparks.org
Posted by: Mongoose on August 29, 2009

Description

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.

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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.

Activities

World Famous Off-Road Bicycling, Hiking/Nature Trails, Fishing, Canoeing & Kayaking, Horse Trails, Camping

Guidebooks

Services

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.



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.

Reservation info

Reserve America

Fees

$22 per night

Photos from Alafia River

Reviews of Alafia River



Reviewed by Mongoose on August 29, 2009

(1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
If off-road bicycling is what you like or hiking, then this place is for you. Camp facilities are in great condition and well maintained. Not to much shade but the campground is circled around small ponds. Fishing is great, but what makes this park so famous is the off-road bicycling trails. From easy to triple black diamond trails (expert). This place is great! Nearby off-road bicycling trails as well in the Lithia area. AAA
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Outdoor Equipment

Coleman Exponent Apex II Backpacker Camp Stove
Low profile design Easily packable component system 22 oz. fuel bottle included Fill it up one time and use it...