Alafia River

Alafia River SP https://www.floridastateparks.org/Alafia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alafia_River_State_Park Alafia River State Park is located near Picnic in Hillsborough County in central Florida, 10 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. 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.

Florida State Parks Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation and Parks History & Nature The park is a former phosphate mine in southeastern Hillsborough County. The reclaimed mine altered the landscape and created new landforms such as several small lakes, and steep grades popular with off-road bicyclists who enjoy challenging trails. A bottomland forest bordering the South Prong of the Alafia River was protected from mining. This prong of the river is a blackwater stream which flows through the park. The stream, bordered by red maple, swamp tupelo and water hickory trees, is ideal for canoeing and fishing. The park’s 6,312 acres were donated to the State in 1996 by Cytec Industries. The mine was called Lonesome Mine, named after the nearby community of Fort Lonesome, a site which was a frontier outpost of the U.S. Army during the Third Seminole War. Alafia River State Park 14326 South County Road 39 Lithia, FL 33547 (813) 672-5320 FloridaStateParks.org • • • • • • • • • • • Park Guidelines Southwest Florida Alafia River State Park Beautiful and exciting recreational trails Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year. An entrance fee is required. Additional user fees may apply. The collection, destruction or disturbance of plants, animals or park property is prohibited. Pets are permitted in designated areas only and must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet and well behaved at all times. Fishing, boating and fires are allowed in designated areas only. Swimming is not allowed. A Florida fishing license may be required. Fireworks and hunting are prohibited. Helmets are required on all bike trails. Become a volunteer. Inquire at the ranger station. For camping information, contact Reserve America at (800) 326-3521 or (866) I CAMP FL or TDD (888) 433-0287 or visit ReserveAmerica.com. Florida’s state parks are committed to providing equal access to all facilities and programs. Should you need assistance to enable your participation, please contact the ranger station. Alternate format available upon request at any Florida state park. FLORIDA State Parks Created on 11/14 SM National Gold Medal Winner Florida State Parks - “America’s First Three-Time Winner” Real Fun in This 6,312-acre park offers equestrian and hiking trails and trails suitable for mountain bicycles. At several lakes, visitors can enjoy fishing, relaxing or bird watching. Picnic pavilions, a playground, horseshoe pit and volleyball area are available. For overnight stays, the park has a full-facility campground and equestrian-friendly campsites. Day visitors will find a picnic area with two large picnic pavilions. Equestrians and hikers can explore 20 miles of trails that wind through mixed hardwood forests, pine flatwoods and rolling hills. Volunteers help build and maintain the trails. Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts will delight in the abundance of wildlife along the trails. The South Prong of the Alafia River, which flows through the park, is navigable by canoe upstream, to Lake Hurrah. The park offers challenging off-road mountain bicycling trails. Once the site of a phosphate mine, the topography offers some of the most radical elevation changes in Florida. The bicycle trails at Alafia River have the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Epic designation. The park offers a wide variety of bicycle trails, ranging from beginner to highly advanced. Pets are not allowed on the bike trails. There are numerous small lakes where anglers may catch largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish. “Catch and Release” is recommended for largemouth bass. A fishing license is required. Enjoy starlit skies while camping in the family campground. Campers will find water and electrical hookups at each of the 30 campsites. Clean restrooms feature solar-heated showers. There are two large picnic pavilions in the campground. Directions I-75 North: exit 240, turn right (east) onto State Road 674 for 15 miles, left (north) at flashing light onto County Road 39 for 5 miles, park is on the right. I-75 South: exit 246, right (east) onto Big Bend Road for 1 mile, right (south) onto U.S. 301 for 1.5 miles, left (east) onto County Road 672 for 12 miles, left (north) onto County Road 39 for 1.5 miles, park is on the right. I-4 West: exit 22, turn left onto Park Road for 2.5 miles, right onto County Road 39B, left onto County Road 39 (James Redman Parkway), for 15.2 miles, park is on the left. 

Camping and Cabins Guide Florida State Parks FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Welcome When the setting sun paints the evening sky, where will you make your bed? Florida’s state parks offer you a variety of overnight accommodations. At a Florida state park, the day’s work is play, a walk on the beach, a hike through the woods, a swim, a bike ride. All you need is a fishing rod, a kayak, a book and a friend. What do you want to see when the sun rises on the new day? Choose a wooded campsite within walking distance of white sandy beaches or camp along the banks of a quietly moving river. Bring your boat or canoe, or fishing tackle and a rod, for a relaxing time with family and friends. Explore nature on the hiking trails, while at the same time leaving stress of the busy world behind. Attend a festival, a reenactment or simply do nothing. We are committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities for all visitors at Florida state parks, including campgrounds and cabins. 2 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Family Camping Florida’s state parks offer more than 50 campgrounds statewide for tents, campers and RVs. Most campsites include water, electricity, a grill and picnic table. Centralized showers, restrooms and a dump station are also available. • One responsible person, 18 or older, must be present on each campsite or cabin. • Camping fees vary from park to park and include a maximum of eight people per site, not including children under 6 years old. • Check-in time is 3 p.m. Check-out time is 1 p.m. You are welcome to stay in the park through the end of the day. • Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. • Campsites are limited to two vehicles. Selected campsites may only allow one vehicle. FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks 3 Cabins From modern to rustic, state park cabins provide overnight accommodations in a variety of settings—near beaches, rivers and lakes or peaceful wooded communities. Cabin styles vary from fully equipped modern cabins to hand-hewn, lumber or palm-log retreats. Cabin amenities may include a kitchen, fireplace and screened porch, complete with rocking chairs and porch swings. • Cabins may be reserved for one night during the week, Monday–Thursday, or a minimum of two nights on weekends and holidays, Friday and Saturday, departing Sunday, or Saturday and Sunday, departing Monday. Some exceptions apply. • Cabins can accommodate either four or six visitors. • Check-in time is 4 p.m. Check-out time is 11 a.m. • Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. 4 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks • Pets are not permitted in cabins or cabin areas. • Staff may assess cabin renters a damage fee if necessary to clean-up or repair any damage beyond ordinary cleaning, wear and tear. Fees may also be charged for lost/stolen items. Group, Primitive, Equestrian and Boat Many parks offer areas for youth and group camping. Backpackers may wish to hike to secluded areas for primitive camping. More than 15 state parks offer campsites and other amenities for equestrians and their horses. Owners of horses visiting state parks must provide proof of a negative Coggins test. Call the park to discuss availability, facilities, rules and fees. Five state parks provide boat slips with water and electricity. Boaters have access to the state park’s restrooms, showers, pump-outs and other amenities. Boaters can also anchor overnight at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks 5 Camping with Pets and Service Animals Pets are welcome at most Florida State Parks. Some campgrounds have designated sites for pets. All pets must be confined, leashed or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Leashes may not exceed six feet in length. Pets must be well behaved. Owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Pets are not permitted on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or concession facilities. Individual parks may have specific areas prohibiting pets. Service animals in a working capacity are allowed in all public areas of state parks when accompanied by a visitor with a disability. Service animals should be harnessed, leashed or tethered unless such a device interferes with the service animal’s work or the visitor’s disability prevents the use of these devices. 6 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Reservations Campsite and cabin reservations may be made from one day to 11 months in advance by calling (800) 326-3521, (866) I CAMP FL or TDD (888) 433-0287 or by visiting FloridaStateParks.ReserveAmerica.com. Call the park directly to reserve group or primitive campsites. Prices per night: Campsites $16 to $42 Cabins $30 to $160 Visitors pay a reservation fee of $6.70 *Prices subject to change. A 50 percent discount on base campsite fees is available to Florida citizens who are 65 years old or older, or Florida c