Ruth D.

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.

Andrea S.

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!

David W.

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!!!

Nina L.

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!

Josh S.

Note - I go to this park for Mountain Biking purposes, not for Camping or Horseback Riding. Not too far off the beaten path and a steal for the $4 admission fee. Another thing to keep in mind is that you MUST wear a helmet, it is not optional. The trails a well marked and very well maintained by the local mountain biking club. There are several levels of terrain marked much like a ski mountain (green, blue, black diamond, and double diamond). Green has few sections that smaller kids might not be able to negotiate, and the sand lends itself to be slippery if you don't have decent tires. Blues are hilly, with sharp corners, and you can get airborne should you choose. Black trails... they're marked expert for a reason and there's no turning back on some, be ready :) Picnic areas at Trailhead (parking available) and at the camp ground (only parking if you are a camper), also bathrooms located at both. There is a bike wash station at the Trailhead as well as bike rentals (weekends only) and a playground. Great place to ride! Worth a once a week trip for me!

Rob H.

I used to come out here over 20 years ago, before it was a park. The pits that they call lakes were much more accessible to fish back then. They are now all overgrown with vegetation, and not fishable from the banks. Even the first pit on the north side is getting smaller. The river is a hike to get to but worth it. With patience, theirs a lot of wildlife to see. This place is much more geared to please mountain bikers, with bike trails and a bike shop. For horseback riders, there's plenty of room for the trailers and the rides would be relaxing.

Gabrielle C.

This place is great if you're into mountain biking. I went for hiking and was pretty disappointed, all of the trails are only for bikers. 5$ entry fee and only stayed 1 hour, kinda disappointed, was expecting more walking trails. Saw 1 alligator which was nice

Armando L.

We are regulars up at Santos trailhead in Ocala. After hearing tons about Alafia we decided to give it a try. It took a while to get a campsite because they always seem to be booked, weeks in advance. I wound up reserving site #005, which is technically a horse site. Don't be put off by the horse label, it just means that there are hitching posts close by. And before you ask yourself, no, you are not camping on horse dung. I had to book eight weeks in advance and fortunately the weather cooperated. We arrived on Friday afternoon to a very warm and welcoming check-in process. The ranger gave us maps of the park, maps of the trails, water bottles (lucky promotion that day) and even sold us nice dry firewood at $6.00 a bundle. Dry because unlike at Santos, they are kept indoors (be sure to bring your own kindling). The park is easy to navigate and our site was a pull-through which was great and our view was spectacular. The fire pit was in great condition and the site had plenty of shade. The water and power connections are on the other side of the paved portion, so make sure your extension cords are at least 25 feet. The bathroom facilities were clean and appeared relatively new - much nicer than Santos. The only downside is that there is one shower for males and one for females. We wound up waiting in line each day to shower. The trails themselves were odd as the green beginner trails were too easy, albeit long and at times sandy, but the intermediate were well beyond what the kids, or even I, could do. In contrast we ride all of the intermediate, and even some of the black advanced trails at Santos. Overall a wonderful campground, but only four stars, because they could use a few more trails on the harder side of beginner or easier side of intermediate.

Danan C.

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.

Elicia M.

This place is huge. We were walking so avoiding all the bikes was kind of a hassle. LOTS of mosquitoes so bring bug spray. Didn't see much wildlife. Mostly long fields and wooded areas. $5 to go in. Meh.