Just east of Tampa are two of the best MTB trail systems in Florida. The Alafia River MTB Trails have around 25 kilometres of fast and loose trails. The sandy dirt is hard enough to maintain good speed though open sections, but you can still move some dirt in the corners if you hit them hard enough. There is a little bit of something for everyone here, as the trail variety ranges from nice and easy greens to some more challenging black diamonds. The Alafia River State Park includes everything you could possibly need. They have a Bike Shop with rentals at the trail head, restrooms, filtered water and picnic areas all over the place. Alafia River has some of the best MTB trails in Florida.
Route
After paying the $4 park entry fee, the park attendant will offer you a free trail map. The trails are marked well, but you will need a map to make your way around. There are some great loops once you get a handle on all the junctions and side trails. Roller Coaster is a nice trail for getting the legs going. The North Creek Trail is a more picturesque part of the trail system, as it wanders through a bunch of small swamps. The more challenging trails offer some rocky and rooty bits, with tiny back to back climbs that will get the heart rate up.
Gators, Wooden Berms and a Bike Shop
This is gator country, and it did not disappoint. Right at the end of the ride, I ran into a gator sun bathing on a corner. Good thing another rider had kindly blocked off the trail. The wood work in Florida is fantastic. All their stuff is high quality, built right, and blends in with the flow of the trail. Finally, it is such a treat to have a bike shop at the trail head. This trail system has everything you need for a great ride.
Nearby Trails
Less than a 10 minute drive from Alafia State Park is the Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve trail system. Certainly, worth visiting before or after your visit. This spot is another trail system with some of the best MTB trails in Florida.
Trip Advice
2 Hour Ride
Pretty Swamps
Fun Wooden Features
Gators
Bike Shop
2 comments
Amazing trail. Can you ride this with a regular bike? Though I know it will be a bit rough. Nice photo btw.
Hi, you can for sure ride any bike on the green/easy trails, but a mtb would be best for the blue’s and black’s. All the photos are from blue trails. Thank you = )