ALAFIA RIVER STATE PARK
14326 CR 39 S. Lithia, Florida 33547
Phone: 813-672-5320
Fax: 813-672-5225
Park Manager: Craig Liney
Alafia River State Park opened to the public in February
1998. The park consists of over 6,000 acres with approximately
12 miles of shoreline along the South Prong Alafia
River. The land was formerly used for phosphate mining
and was donated to the Florida State Parks in 1996.
As a relatively new addition to the Florida State
Parks, Alafia River State Park offers some of Florida's
unique recreational opportunities. The Park offers
off road bicycling, horseback riding, hiking, fishing,
camping, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking.
Eight distinct natural communities in addition to
ruderal and developed areas are present at Alafia
River State Park, they are; scrub, xeric hammock,
floodplain swamp, baygall, bottomland forest, upland
mixed forest hydric hammock, and blackwater stream.
Hours of Operation
8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year.
Driving Directions
Coming from the North (Tampa) Take I-75 south to
State Road 60, head east approximately 12 miles
to County Road 39. Go south on County Road 39 approximately
13 miles until you reach the entrance to the park
located on the left side of roadway.
Coming from the South (Sarasota). Take I-75 north
to U.S. 301. Go north on U.S. 301 to County Road 674.
Go east on County Road 674 to County Road 39. Go north
on County Road 39 5 miles until you reach the entrance
of the park on the right side of roadway.
Activities
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 PedalersThe 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
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
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.
Full Facility Camping
Alafia River State Park currently offers camping
in our new 30-site campground with facilities. Water
and 50 amp electrical service is available at each
site.
Pets are welcome.
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 trail
is an island loop. 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.
Once a month Ranger guided trail rides are available
October thru April on the third Saturday of the
month. Riders must furnish their own horse. Proof
of current Negative Coggins is required.
Picnicking
You can enjoy a peaceful picnic lunch with a beautiful
view. There is also a playground available for the
children.
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.
