HomeFloridaPlant City › Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve - North

Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve - North

4.8 ★★★★★ 79 Google reviews · Running trail in Plant City, Florida · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Loop distance
8 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve - North's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surface8 miLoopShadedScenicHillyRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Former phosphate mine is now a nature preserve with hiking trails, camping, and picnic areas.

What runners say about Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve - North

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (79 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“From there you'll reach a scenic field and now you have to make a choice of which way to go (I recommend going right).”

🌳 shaded & cool 4 mentions

“Mostly shaded and very few people so perfect for a peaceful hike.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Mostly shaded and very few people so perfect for a peaceful hike.”

We camped at the Bobcat site. The hike was good, the scenery great. There were orange trees, plenty of shade, and lots of birds. The bridge was my favorite part... so serene.

★★★★★ — Amanda , Mar 2023

We had a wonderful time! Middle of the day on a Saturday and we were the only ones there. Beautiful long trail with lots of deer. Favorite trail so far!

★★★★★ — Rowan , May 2024

Great trail. Plenty of elevation for locals seeking it. Several side trails to shorten or extend your hike. There is a clearing with a picnic table and fire pit near the body of water located toward the center of the area that would make for a good area to hang out at for awhile.

★★★★★ — Chad , Dec 2022

Beautiful Nature! Love seeing all the beautiful surroundings! Will definitely be back enjoyed the walk and picnic.

★★★★★ — Marla , Oct 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 79 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

⛰️ Hills / elevation 8 mentions

“The first mile was a little muddy and several down trees you have to climb over and go under otherwise a fairly easy hike.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“From there you'll reach a scenic field and now you have to make a choice of which way to go (I recommend going right).”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“Mostly shaded and very few people so perfect for a peaceful hike.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 3 mentions

“The first mile was a little muddy and several down trees you have to climb over and go under otherwise a fairly easy hike.”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+) 3 mentions

“Beautiful 8 mile walk, mostly in the woods.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Mostly shaded and very few people so perfect for a peaceful hike.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“5 without including the smaller loop.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

“Used Alltrails map which was different and longer than the map at the trailhead.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve - North

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • Loop distance8 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitehillsboroughcounty.org
  • Phone+1 813-672-7876
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 am–6 pm
Tuesday 8 am–6 pm
Wednesday 8 am–6 pm
Thursday 8 am–6 pm
Friday 8 am–6 pm
Saturday 8 am–6 pm
Sunday 8 am–6 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve - North

9256 County Rd 39, Plant City, FL 33567

Get directions

Running trails near Plant City

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Aldermans Ford Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 223 reviews

Plant City, FL

1.8 miLoopMixedShaded

Nature preserve featuring trails leading to the Alafia River.

2.2 miles away

Edward Medard Conservation Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 584 reviews

Plant City, FL

3 miBoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Beautiful, lakefront park featuring hiking trails, campgrounds and alligator sightings.

4.2 miles away

Hillsborough County Medard Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 154 reviews

Plant City, FL

3 miBoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Natural area features a reservoir for fishing & boating, BBQ picnic spots, a playground & trails.

4.2 miles away

Triple Creek Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 144 reviews

Riverview, FL

LoopShadedScenicDog-friendly

Nature preserve offering a hiking trail that's 2.7 miles long and known for its scenery.

8.5 miles away

Dr. Hal & Lynn Brewer Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 594 reviews

Plant City, FL

PavedShaded

Park with exercise stations and a paved path around a small lake with ducks, plus benches and shade.

9.0 miles away

Stephen J. Wortham Park

3.8 ★★★★☆ 238 reviews

Riverview, FL

LoopScenicDog-friendly

Playground and lakeside spot for kayaking on a lake surrounded by trails and woods.

9.9 miles away

All running trails in Plant City, FL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.