Mountain Biking Florida's Alafia River State Park

This 6,260 acre park offers some of the most challenging off-road bicycling trails in Florida. It is reclaimed from a former phosphate mining site and therefore has unique topography, namely some of Florida’s most radical elevation changes. Since this mine was abandoned before remediation laws took effect, the area where mountain biking exists is an erratic mixture of pond depressions and abrupt hills jutting out from the surface. The "jungle" has grown back over the surface, and is home to 14 miles of bike trails, ranging from beginner to advanced, with 2 green loop/easy trails, 3 blue loop/intermediate trails, 2 black loop/difficult trails, and 2 double black diamond/very difficult trails.

Alafia also offers equestrians and hikers the opportunity to explore mixed hardwood forests, pine flatwoods and rolling hills with 20 miles of hiking and horse trails. There are also picnic pavilions, a playground, and horseshoe pit and volleyball courts available. For overnight stays, the park has a full-facility campground for both primitive and RV camping, as well as equestrian friendly campsites.

We biked 2 green and 1 blue trail and loved it. It is more intense than the easy and mid-difficulty trails of both the Santos area in the Ocala National Forest and Munson Hills in the Apalachicola NF, due to tight turns and far more tree roots. We also encountered some lengthy mud areas.



Sand was never a big problem here, and you never tire of the drop-dead gorgeous scenery around every bend. Helmets are required on all trails, and a $5 entry fee was charged in 2010. The trailhead has nice washrooms for you, and there is a bike washing station which you will probably need to use after your ride.



The former mining pits and the hills created from the excavated material give the rider some uphill/downhill excitement, even on the easier trails.



...and we encountered at least one creek crossing, though the worst ones had bridges over them. These trails are built and maintained by the SWAMP Mountain Bike Club and they have done/are doing a great job. Thanks guys!



The State of Florida page is here.

Park Information

14326 South County Road 39
Lithia, Florida 33547

(813) 672-5320

GETTING THERE

• Alafia River State Park is located 10 miles southeast of Tampa on County Road 39.
• From I-75 South take exit 240 and go east on State Road 674. Continue on State Road 674 for approximately 15 miles and turn left at the flashing light onto County Road 39. Continue for approximately five miles, the main park entrance will be on the right.
• From I-75 North take exit 257 and go east on State Road 60. Continue to County Road 640 and go right. Go 11 miles and turn right at County Road 39. Continue to the park entrance on left.
• From I-4 take exit 22 onto Park Road. Follow Park Road for approximately 2.5 miles. Bear right onto 39B and turn left onto State Road 39 (James Redman Parkway). Continue on state for approximately 15.2 miles to the main park entrance on the left.