Alafia River State Park

Very great park and campground!

We were lucky to find a horse site the day before our trip! The sites are very spread out from one another and there were lots of trees to hang up a hammock. The bathroom was nice and clean. We would love to stay here again!

The mountain bike trails are great too. They have done a phenomenal job maintaining this park!

A beautiful park with a nice campground. We loved our stay at Alafia River State Park. An excellent spot!

What a beautiful state park, and so (relatively) close to so many cities! I was here over an early December weekend for a Ragnar Trail event, so I can't speak to the regular, daily amenities. Still, the trails I ran provided sites, including meadows, moss-covered trees, and green swamps.

The daylight hours were hot (eighties) with an intense sun, which was a lot to handle in the meadows, while the evenings dropped into the upper forties with a heavy blanket of damp fog. The trails I was on usually cater to mountain bikers, so I'd be nervous of collisions if I was walking/running them without the benefit of an event (not even sure they allow non mountain bikers on them on regular days). They look super fun hough and even as a runner, I had great thrills charging up steep ramps and flying down the other side. Beware that the slat bridges are weakening and have a lot of give. One slat broke under a runner's weight.

I heard wildlife rustling in the trees at night and had to side step ant hills on some of the trails, but no predators crossed my path. One of my running teammates did spy a shy bobcat who was observing the scenery from an overlook above a path.

Mountain bike trails are really great. Trail crews are doing a great job and always keeping things updated. The facilities and layout to the trail system are among the best in Florida. Don't underestimate Florida for mountain biking!

I have been coming here for quit a fee years now and am finally getting around to writing a review.. Not sure why it has taken so long, subliminally I probably don't want others to come and crowd this beautiful little park...
So where to start? I come primarily for the mountain biking trails and camping.. Both exemplary here.. This park is or was primarily a horse park but that has changed because of the MTB trails...
The mtb trails are some of the finest you will find in Florida... They say there is over 14 miles of trails but I have only found 9 or so of them... Ranging from white knuckle, your going to die stuff, down to Sunday afternoon casual and lots of in between...
As for the camping, there are only 30 sites, all set up for rv's but tents are welcome... A large portion are pull through and ideal for large rv's and horse trailers.... All offer electric and water. There are two loops separated by a common bathhouse... Always clean and cared for as well as the campsites themselves...
The park itself is not very big.. Camping to the south and biking to the north... Aside from riding horses and bikes there is not much more to do but relax.... If it wasn't for the main road leading to the park the quietness would be amazing... As it is there is plenty of wildlife sounds to make one feel far away....
So to summarize. Camping, MTB riding, horse riding, relaxing.... Hmmmm, good!!!

P.S. This place is far enough away from civilization to be convenient but far enough to be inconvenient..

Cheers!!!

I have been to this park a few times and love it for mountain biking! My partner is an avid mountain biker so when he found these trails he was so excited to try them out. Though Florida is quite flat, they have made these trails with lots of fun obstacles for all levels of riders. Myself, as I am new to this sport, stick to the green trails while my partner goes on the blue and black (much more intense). There are lots of jumps and turns made but yet the park looks quite natural. There is a bike washing station as well as bathrooms. Sometimes the parking lot can get full especially when it's a particularly nice day out (because who wouldn't want to be outside!) but they have a second lot a little further down from the trails. There is an entrance fee, we usually pay 5$ for the both of us.

There is also the option for hiking and camping if you're not into bikes.

Overall, it's such a lovely park that we have been coming here every weekend for the past few weeks with no problems, just clean fresh air. Also I must note that there isn't any trash/litter around the park, a really nice change!

I have been hiking here for years and there are plenty of trails for the beginner to serious hiker. So much wildlife to see including: deer, alligators, snakes, wild boar, hawks, owls, racoons, possoms, turtles, frogs, squirrel, mice, and armidello. There are plenty of mosquitoes too so bring bug spray. I just got a mountain bike and can't wait to try it out. This park is known for it's mountain biking trails with easy (for me) trails up to technically difficult for expert bikers. Finally there are equestrian trails, campsites, picnic areas, a playground, and bathrooms.

One of my favorite State parks especially for mountain biking and camping. Amazing trail system with lots
Of technical features and just absolutely beautiful. Highly recommend! You can't go wrong with these trails.

I've been here over a year ago and I love coming here because of how remote it is. However on today's walk some of the paths have had fallen trees take over by the river and the paths have not been well maintained. There is water access if you wish to go swimming in the river itself. I didn't get through the field trails as a thunderstorm approached and scared my one pup with me. The field trails grass was a little long, but with the dead grass being left from previous cuttings the trail is being maintained.

I definitely recommend visiting here to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can enjoy walking around mask free without the fear or running into tons of people. There is no fee to park here, but there are also no restrooms/water stations. However at the main intersection there are two gas stations and a convenience store along the route to the park itself.

By far, one of my favorite camping experiences. We weren't able to do the mountain biking trails, but they had hiking trails we enjoyed doing with our dog. We even saw a gator sunbathing along the river. The campsites had all the essentials and were spacious. We were able to see stars at night here. The facilities here were also nice. Definitely a place we will camp again!