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.

NATURE OF THE AREA
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.

HISTORY OF THE AREA
Located in Southeastern Hillsborough County, Alafia River State Park was donated to the State in 1996 by Cytec Industries. The Park consists of 6,344 acres. Prior to acquisition by the State, the property was a phosphate mine called Lonesome Mine, named after the nearby community of Fort Lonesome, which was itself named after a Frontier outpost of the U.S. Army that occupied the site during the Third Seminole War.

Currently Alafia River State Park offers camping, and with help from numerous clubs and individual volunteers we also offer off-road biking, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, picnicking, canoeing and kayaking.

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.

Official Universal Symbol of Accessibility 3 ADA accessible campsites are available. Campground restroom facilities 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.

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.

CANOEING
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.

FISHING
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?

DAY USE AREA
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.

PICNICKING
Picnicking

You can enjoy a peaceful picnic lunch with a beautiful view. There is also a playground, volleyball area and horseshoe pits available.

Official Universal Symbol of Accessibility 4 Picnic Pavilions (2 in camping area and 2 in picnic area)are ADA accessible. Picnic area restroom facilities are ADA accessible.

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.

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.

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.