Alafia River State Park, Lithia

This park has terrain! Its amazing. The best hiking I've seen south Florida.

Now Florida doesn't exactly have mountains, but this is about as good as it gets! At least as far as I have found. I'm speaking of mountain biking by the way, but there is also camping (which the campgrounds looked as boring as you could possibly make campgrounds look), horseback riding, and hiking. I'm a mountain biker and there are some great trails. Most of them are loops, so you end more-or-less back where you started, which is really nice because I often run out of water before the end of the trail. There is plenty of diversity in the trails, so you can make it a family biking trip with the little ones, or come as an extreme biker and go in wearing full gear. I've been here many times and will be back many more until I find something better or closer to me.

Beautiful park...bathrooms were clean... deer everywhere at dusk...quiet and peaceful

We arrived at Alafia River State Park near Lithia, FL on January 15, 2016 for a ten day stay. We had heard that a new bathroom was under construction, and the workmen there assured us that, in all liklihood, it would be open in a day, and the portable toilets and showers removed. As I write this on 1/21, the new bathroom has finally opened, fresh, clean and a welcome addition to this very pleasant park. The sites on the two camping circles are large, have been cleared to provide sufficient shade, but are not deep in the woods. We have a good shot at the satellite as well as superb over-the-air television, for what that's worth these days. It's quiet, friendly, and neat. The park is deep in the country, about thirty minutes south of Plant City and east of Tampa. Nearby shopping of all kinds is easily accessible. Within the park, there are many bike trails and lots of hiking. There are stables available for horses and one of the two camping loops is designated as horse friendly, although there have been only a few horses here while we've been here. Florida State Parks, more generally, are a delight to stay in. The only difficulty is the need to make reservations eleven months before coming if you expect to be able to stay the two week maximum. Most parks are full during the winter season. We've already determined to stay here again next year and will be making our reservation in a few weeks.

Great mountain biking trails, from easy all the way up to extremely difficult which makes this a great place to come if you are an advanced mountain biker or if you are just starting out! Some of the funnest trails in Florida right here in the Tampa area. Good picnic areas and facilities are clean.