Alafia River State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alafia River State Park |
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 Alafia River State Park
Location in Florida
Alafia River State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hillsborough County, Florida, United States |
| Nearest city | Lithia, Florida |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Alafia River State Park is a Florida State Park, located near Picnic in Hillsborough County in central Florida, 17 miles southeast of Tampa on County Road 39. Even before it became a park, the area, and particularly Hurrah Lake, was the center of leisure activities since the early 1880s.
Recreational activities
The park has such amenities as bicycling, birding, canoeing, fishing, hiking, horse trails, picnicking areas, wildlife viewing and full camping facilities. Especially known for its mountain biking, it has advanced trails in an area of the park that was once a phosphorus strip mine. The mountain bike trails were originally created and maintained by the SouthWest Association of Mountain Bike Pedalers (SWAMP) club, but are now maintained by the Friends of Alafia club. The forest has grown back. The mine was abandoned before remediation laws took effect, and the area where mountain biking exists is an erratic mixture of pond depressions and abrupt hills jutting from the surface.
Alafia River State Park also provides a variety of accessible amenities to its visitors, including campsites, parking, restrooms/bath houses, and picnic pavilions with tables.
Mountain Biking
Alafia State Park is home to 17 miles of bike trails that range from novice to highly advanced sections. The trails are rated Epic by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). The trailhead parking lot consists of bathrooms, bicycle rinsing stations, shaded pavilions, a volleyball net and a playground. Alafia Trails are maintained and kept in safe conditions by the Friends of Alafia on a regular basis. The trails are solely preserved by volunteers so that park staff can focus on resource management tasks and other maintenance. Alafia State Park regularly posts on Instagram of updates and maintenance happening to the trails. Alafia also hosts a Mountain Biking Skills Clinic that is designed to enhance a riders capability on the trails.
Gallery
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On the Alafia River near Lithia Springs Park
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An American alligator near the campground
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Hurrah Lake on the Alafia River
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Footpath to the left, tough cycle path to the right
Hours & Fees
Alafia State Park is open to the public from 8am until sundown, daily.
Admission Fee: $5 per vehicle.
Locations & Contact
The park is located at 14326 S. County Road 39, Lithia, FL, 33547.
To contact Alafia State Park, please call: 813-672-5320.
