Alafia River State Park

Category: State park

Address: 14326 Co Rd 39, Lithia, FL 33547, USA

Phone: +18136725320

Opening hours

Sunday: 8AM–8:15PM

Monday: 8AM–8:15PM

Tuesday: 8AM–8:15PM

Wednesday: 8AM–8:15PM

Thursday: 8AM–8:15PM

Friday: 8AM–8:15PM

Saturday: 8AM–8:15PM

Reviews

Rick Foxx (Foxx and Associates)

May 4, 2022

It’s like hiking in Belize or some South American jungle, plenty of hills and trails, and the terrain is NOT flat like you’d expect in Florida. Plenty of wildlife and gators in the river, and just a great place to shutoff your phone and get one with Nature. Mountain bike trails are cool, and there’s ramps and jumps everywhere. Been there 5x and I’m always discovering something new! 7000 acres to explore. 5 stars for this gem!

Naty B

Apr 25, 2022

This place is great. If you have kids, look into getting them swore in to become Jr Rangers at a national park. They will get badges and pins and activities. The lady that swore my kids in was very nice. At the ranger station they had all kinds of cool stuff. And $5 to enter, can be paid by cash, card, or online ahead of time. The Agrico trail was great! There were so many elevation changes, it was very un-Florida. It is also right by the playground so the kids can play there too. There are also some pretty cool mountain biking trails.

Binder Vegas

Apr 10, 2022

The park is beautiful!! So many birds. Rabbits. The sunset. The campsite. All wonderful. The only thing that could make it better would be either no alcohol allowed or a way to screen those who are not mature enough to drink responsibly. So, I guess no alcohol would be the solution. And perhaps a ban on having to listen to THEIR music, now that the sun has just set. While I was recording an amazing red cardinal singing its heart out, the drunks were swearing, laughing way too loud and yelling at their barking dog...so wonderful to come and not enjoy nature. Please, please, stay home and get drunk in your back yard. Listen all the music you want. Not here. ☹️

Chandan Jhalani

Jan 17, 2022

Amazing mountain bike trail experience. Went for the first time, $5 fee per car and so many trails to explore. Remember to take your helmets. For beginners, Sand pine is a good trail. Our 5 year old was able to do it with little help. There is a bike rental store as well.

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Questions & Answers

Is there an entrance fee?

Bailey Catlett | Aug 25, 2019
Cesar Correa | Aug 25, 2019

Yes, 5 dollars per vehicle for up to 5 people. But it is worth it, you will enjoy your MTB day.

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Does Alafia River State Park offer Canoe or Kayak rentals?

Eric Braad | Aug 25, 2019
Jason Dunford | Aug 25, 2019

No,It mostly has trails for bike riding and walking .

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How hard is the intermediate trail

Todd Lovell | Aug 24, 2020
Darkarma | Aug 24, 2020

As a relative newbie, i agree with Chloe's answer. The greens are mainly flat, i would say the equivalent of riding on the sidewalk but off-road. The blues add climbs, descents, switchbacks, berms etc. I recommend north creek, and lost meadows. It's what we usually start the day with. If you feel comfortable with those hit up rollercoaster. Regardless of the difficulty, go at your own pace. Don't be afraid to put your bike down off the trail and walk a feature. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, bypass. The park offers quite a bit for everyone, and the community is super personable. Hope to see ya out there.

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What are the easiest blue trails to start on for newbies?

A B | Aug 24, 2020
Zu Media | Aug 24, 2020

Rollercoaster is probably the best/most fun. Lots of easier features with some added options that are skippable, but super fun

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Are the trails good for a hybrid bike?

Jennifer Vera | Aug 24, 2020
Javier Espinosa | Aug 24, 2020

No...mountain bikes..rough trails

Which blue trails would be the easiest to start on for beginners that have already done the green trails?

A B | Aug 24, 2020
Andrea Cammarata | Aug 24, 2020

North lake, but skip the hard side trails

Is there a place to camp for people in tents?

Laurie Robertson | Aug 24, 2020
Phil Pellegrino | Aug 24, 2020

Yes a shaded and cleared area with a fire pit and pinic tables close to bike trails but about a mile into the woods from parking. So be prepared to hike with your gear. Not so bad is a good workout.

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can i buy ice bags in the park?

JP Graphics Studio | May 26, 2022
Renato Ferreira | May 26, 2022

Not true yes There is a ice cooler at the ranger station Proceeds help maintain the MTB trails Helmet required

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What are the best/most difficult trails for hiking or trail running only?

Robby Burton | Jan 26, 2022
Frank Brunn | Jan 26, 2022

Though there are walk/hike trails, most of the MTB trails do not permit foot traffic.

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Can I stay overnight in the parking lot with the RV trailer RV

Vince Gallegos | Jan 26, 2022
greg parramore | Jan 26, 2022

Nope

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Is it pet friendly?

DANNY | Aug 24, 2021
scott connell | Aug 24, 2021

Yes it is.

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Is there fishing here?

Rain Heron | Aug 24, 2021
Brian McMenemy | Aug 24, 2021

Not that I have seen

how far from cocoa beach, FL?

Joyce Schultz | Aug 24, 2021
Darkarma | Aug 24, 2021

About 3 hours. About 130miles taking i4.

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Is this place open to hunting...

Brandi Lachelle | Aug 24, 2021
Tiffany Short | Aug 24, 2021

No

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Can you go fishing

Suni Miller | Aug 24, 2020
Southern Shez | Aug 24, 2020

Yes

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Is a bike helmet required to ride green trails for an adult?

dwight lababie | Aug 24, 2020
Rashidul Munim | Aug 24, 2020

Yes, for all trails

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Is the park and/or hiking trails dog friendly?

Martin McFly | Aug 24, 2020
Dawn Dickerson | Aug 24, 2020

Yes it as long as you keep them on a leash

Are the bicycle trails flooded right now?

Mark Russo | Aug 25, 2019
Matthew Foster | Aug 25, 2019

Was there yesterday. Roller coaster was ok, north creek is a disaster with mud holes and the bridge washed out before buzzards bay. Only way out is via swampy fire road

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Are the bike trails still open right now given the amount of rain we have had in the last two weeks

Chris Lawhon | Aug 25, 2019
Ken Mac | Aug 25, 2019

Most are open. We rode Boyette yesterday in trails were in great shape. Alafia hasbits mussy spots but the trails are always open.

Looking to bike with a road bike with skinnier tires.how are the paved trails and what is the distance of the paved trails?

Patrick Currier | Aug 25, 2019
Chad Bruce | Aug 25, 2019

No paved trails, only short access road to campground and day use mountain bike area. Don't go to Alafia for road biking.

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Does anyone know abput the u pick peaches at the park?

Susan Baldwin | Aug 25, 2019
Jason R | Aug 25, 2019

Not there.

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Is there campground within the park for small rv?

connie epp | Aug 25, 2019
Rev. Dr. David Cole | Aug 25, 2019

Yes

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Wife and i will be visiting this area soon. Does anyone locally rent suitable mountain bikes for the trails?

Robert Hulbert | Aug 25, 2019
KJOC95 | Aug 25, 2019

There is a bike shop at the head of the trail that does rent bikes. I don't remember the name of it though, but they are open most of the time I go there.

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Is this a good place for downhill riding ? Is there a lot of down hill or or mainly flat or incline? My down hill bike is not that best for that.

Derek | Aug 25, 2019
Shrimp 41404 | Aug 25, 2019

it is a little bit of all, because Florida doesn't have many large hills or mountains, it is mostly up and down not really jsut down

Does this park have trails suitable for riding with a child (3yrs) on a back seat?

Blake Fitz | Aug 25, 2019
Susan Harvey | Aug 25, 2019

It's actually dangerous to have a child that small riding back seat. Ran a medical call years ago (fire rescue & horse owner). Let's just say not a good outcome. Medard isn't bad, but my concern at the park is barbed wire so close to the trail in some areas.

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Can you do any fishing here?

Bigg Bird | Aug 25, 2019
Jessica Boson | Aug 25, 2019

Yes

Can you fish here.

Debbie Wann | Aug 25, 2018
Alafia River State Park | Aug 25, 2018

Yes, you can fish here if you have a Florida fishing license. Fishing is allowed in the river and all of the ponds, but the river entrance is currently closed due to flooding.

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Are the mosquitos bad right now?

Mary Murray | Aug 25, 2018
Shrimp 41404 | Aug 25, 2019

if you are biking then the mosquitos wont bother you, if you stop on the trails for more than 5 minutes they might bother you

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My boys want to go ride the trails but when I was researching if the trails where safe for them I saw youtube video of an alligator on the trails. Does that happen alot? Or do gators only go on a certain trail they can avoid?

Caroline J | Aug 25, 2018
Michael Salamey | Aug 25, 2018

Alligators can be unpredictable and are definitely a threat at Alafia, but they generally avoid humans, and are not seen regularly, especially during midday busy weekend hours. The scariest thing that would likely happen is your boys might take an advanced trail too fast and end up with their butts in a swamp when their bikes are abruptly stopped by the top of a corner ridge. In that case, I would encourage them to practice expeditious extraction of their behinds from the potential gator's home.

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Are there any other fees beside the entry fee?

Mafer MG | Aug 25, 2018
Robert Rabanal | Aug 25, 2018

The vending machines require a fee also. Bike shop only open on weekends is on premise. They have a fee for service or merchandise type system.

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Is there a walking trail like most of the other parks? I am in a wherlchair.

Sonya Bryson-Kirksey | Aug 25, 2018
Nicholas Bischof | Aug 25, 2018

Nothing that is going to be wheelchair accessible. There is a hiking trail but it would be too rough and rugged for a wheel chair. You can go to Alderman Ford park right down the road though. I believe it's a $2 entrance fee, county park, and a paved/wooden trail.

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Can you fish earlier than 8:00 am

Buddy Lyles | Aug 25, 2018
Robert Rabanal | Aug 25, 2018

Yes, but gator permit tag required to harvest. Stay frosty out there.

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Is the only bike trail that hikers are allowed on the multi use loop trail? Or can I hike on the designated bike trails too?

Nicole Miller | Aug 25, 2018
Nicholas Bischof | Aug 25, 2018

Hikers have their own trails there. Seperate trails for mtn bikers and seperate trails for equestrians. There is a multi use trail for everyone.

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Does the Alafia River flow through this State Park? Does it pay to bring my canoe.

Marcus | Aug 25, 2018
Nicholas Bischof | Aug 25, 2018

There might be a portion of the river that flows through the park but leave the canoe. Park is mainly for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping. Canoe and kayak activities would be done elsewhere.

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Is there a flowing river section like small water falls with stone rocks at this State park?

Gloria Wharton | Aug 25, 2018
Alafia River State Park | Aug 25, 2018

There is river access to the South Prong of the Alafia River at the park's south entrance. It's a slow-moving river with no rocks or waterfalls, and visitors can put a kayak or canoe in at the south entrance primitive boat ramp or fish off of the bridge or riverbank there. None of the hiking trails go past the river.

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How much is the entry fee

David Wicken | Aug 25, 2018
Juan Martin | Aug 25, 2018

5 bucks

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Does this cost money.

Michelle Woodrome | Aug 25, 2018
Andrew Geneux | Aug 25, 2018

Yes, $5 per car full or $4 single person

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Was wondering if the trails are reopen? Thank you in advance. David

David Arrigoni | Aug 25, 2018
Dave Tsang | Aug 25, 2018

Check the facebook page for updates. They currently have volunteers working on it. It is unlikely that it is open currently.

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