The Tampa area has perhaps the most extensive inventory of mountain bike single-track in the state of Florida. Croom, clocking in at nearly 60 miles, is the largest park we maintain. Wilderness Park has close to 30 miles, Boyette Scrub has 18 miles of single-track and 10 miles of two-track that has become single-track with usage. The Alafia River State Park Trail is a reality with about 20 miles of single track. SWAMP has road/off road bicycle maps for each of these trail systems.
SWAMP Hotline - 813-689-5109
Alafia River State Park
(SE of Brandon) 
EPIC Certified by IMBA!
The Alafia River State Park is one of the most favored off-road biking choices in Florida. Skilled riders are traveling from all over the state to ride this collection of scary drops, off-camber hillside ledges, high speed banked turns and intimidating ridge top trails. This single-track is built on the rugged terrain of a previously mined area. Currently there are about 20 miles of trails at Alafia.
The easiest (Green) loop is called Sand Pine and can be ridden as an out-and-back three mile ride or as a two mile loop riding back on the levee. The other Green trail is the River Loop, and is for experienced beginners. Although only three miles long (with bailouts at one-mile intervals), it feels longer because the trail has technical sections where roots or tight turns slow the pace and challenge the rider.
The intermediate (Blue) sections, Bridges, North Creek (new) and Rock Garden, are really fun with lots of medium-sized hills, some short and steep, with others more gradual for a speedy downhill. There are several very challenging sections along the blue trail (even for experienced riders) and the sudden drops, climbs, twists and turns are just plain fun to ride.
The Rollercoaster and Moonscape trails (Black) form a 4-mile advanced loop which MUST be ridden one-way. Gatorback and Rabbit Ears are very difficult shorter loops off Bridges and Sand Pine, respectively. These sections all include steep roller coaster dips, technical rocky sections and very difficult climbs and drops. Many of these have a steep, straight line descents followed by a short valley before the trail climbs rapidly up the opposite side. It is a roller coaster sensation that takes your breath away and gives extra "G" forces as your swoop suddenly transitions from a dive into a climb. Not all of these are a straight line down and up. Some drops have relatively sudden turns. Knowing what to expect and controlling your speed accordingly is necessary here.
Several of the trail designers got together and laid out trail so extreme they had to come up with a new designation; "Double Black Diamond." These "extreme" sections are definitely an E-ticket ride.
The address for the main entrance is 14326 South CR 39. The admission fee is $3.00 per vehicle or $4.00 for 2-8 passengers. Camping is $18.00 per night which includes electric. The bathhouse has hot water for showers. These bath facilities are for registered campers only. Call Reserve America at 1-800-326-3521 to make reservations.
The Park entrance has a stone entry gate and ranger station.
Additional information on Alafia State Park
Trail Work Day: First Saturday of every month, 9:00 am. For info contact:
Alafia: Art North 813-689-5109
Boyette Park (South Brandon)
Road Map NEW:
Google Maps
Boyette Park is situated on 4,900 acres of upland scrub, located just south of Brandon. About a dozen lakes populate rolling grasslands at the far eastern end of the property, with the remainder being heavily covered with scrub-oak and pine.
On the east side of Boyette Road are 12 miles of beginner's level two-track circling the dozen or so lakes. Several intermediate level single-track loops branch off this main two-track. These loops are cut through the woods and along the lakes, and consists of moderately strenuous, more technically difficult trails. There are some open sections where a rider can gain speed, but for the most part, the trail is tight, twisty and tough. Oh yeah, it's also great fun.
All trails have been marked, cut, and groomed by SWAMP members and public volunteers. Please note: With so many trails in Boyette and so much overgrowth, we can use your help maintaining and repairing the trails. We ride some, work a little, play a lot, then ride some more. Trail work is more fun than you expect, and very rewarding. Call to find out how you can help or send e-mail to Trails at SWAMPClub dot org.
Trail Work Day: Second Saturday of each month, 9:00 am. For info contact:
Boyette: Dave Whyte at: trails at SWAMPClub dot org
Croom (Brooksville) 
Road Map NEW:
Google Maps (broadband: Aerial view of Parking lot #3)
See Events page for Forest usage by other user groups that may impact riding at this location.
Florida’s longest contiguous bicycle single-track officially opened March 1997, as the Withlacoochee Forest - Croom Off-Road Bike Trail. This network of single-track forms two loops of 12 and 35 miles. Actual trail length, including connectors, is over 55 miles.
The trail is the result of a three year cooperative effort between the Division of Forestry and the SWAMP Mountain Bike Club. The club marked, mapped and maintained the loops as part of a user impact study. At the recent conclusion of this study, Forestry’s management determined that user impact was minimal, and off-road cycling was deemed an acceptable, low impact form of recreation that would fit within the Forests’ Recreation Use Guidelines.
The 35 mile loop (#1 on SWAMP Club map) is marked by white signs with the international bicycle symbol in blue paint. The terrain on loop #1 varies from rolling, pine forested hills to low lying oak hammocks. The trails through the hammocks are usually more twisty and close spaced, requiring more concentration. The northern end of this loop includes several miles of trail through an abandoned lime rock pit. This is the most technical section on any of the trails. There are several steep climbs and drop-offs that would be difficult for someone new to the sport. There are bail out points at 8, 12 and 25 miles.
The 12 mile loop (#3, marked with yellow signs) starts at the Tucker Hill Trailhead facility located next to the firetower on Croom Road (Forest road 6), then crosses rolling hills dotted with oak hammocks. There are three memorable climbs. This loop also has a collection of several small pits to keep things interesting. The yellow loop is the most used trail because it is the easiest to find and best marked. It is the best loop for newer riders, but should be considered as intermediate in level of difficulty. Bail outs are at 3 and 6 miles.
There are three connector trails that allow combinations of the two loops. The connectors (red signs) total ten miles in length (total). By using the red trails one can ride 7, 12, 20, 25, 35 or 42 miles. Trail maps are on all kiosk.
NOTE: Croom also has hiking trails (marked with orange or blue blazes two inches wide by six inches long) and equestrian trails (marked with single or double blue bands six inches tall circling the entire tree trunk. It is considered politically uncool to ride on trails dedicated to other users...please respect this!
For those who like to camp, adjacent to the single-track is the Withlacoochee State Trail, a 47 mile rail-trail. This paved rail-bed passes by the Silver Lake Campgrounds, a favorite spot for camping, swimming and canoeing.
For those who like to camp indoors, the city of Brooksville is only a ten minute drive. The I-75 interchange also has several motels, half a dozen restaurants, and a small shopping center.
The city of Nobelton has a canoe rental center for those that wish to canoe the Withlacoochee River.
Croom maps are available to SWAMP Club members.
Trail Work Day: Fourth Saturday of each month, 9:00 am. For info contact:
Croom: Bob Wilcox 352-442-1018
Visit the Friends of Withlacooche State Forest site for information on how to help support this trail system.
See Events page for Forest usage by other user groups that may impact riding at this location.
Three parks make up the Wilderness Park Bicycle Trail System. Ridden together, these three parks support a 20 mile contiguous single-track loop. Because the type of trail varies so much between parks, they will be covered separately.
| Morris Bridge | Flatwoods | Trout Creek |
Trail Map.
(Opens a new window)
Trail Work Day: Third Saturday of every month, 9:00 am. For info contact:
Wilderness Trails:
Ken Orlando 813-715-1521
Morris Bridge 
Road Map
Miles & miles of premo single track. A challenging mixture of trails crossing three distinct ecosystems.There are ‘high ground’ trails of hard packed dirt, and some sand. All with plenty of shade from pine and scrub oak trees. Approximately 20% of the trails transverse this ecosystem, typical of a central Florida forest. These trails are very scenic, and are beginner and intermediate level trails.
Running up the center of the park is the ‘mid ground’. These trails are all hard pack dirt, heavily shaded by Oak, Sugar & Red Maple, and Palmetto Palms. Gorgeous scenery, but you are usually too busy concentrating on the trail ahead to see much. Some of the faster runs are here. Comprising approximately 40% of the trail system, these are intermediate level.
Running adjacent to the Hillsborough River and Cow House Creek are the ‘low lands’ (read swamp). Depending on the season, this area transforms from soft pack dirt to muck, with all the beauty and mystery of a tropical rain forest. These will be your most technical runs. There are numerous logs to navigate over or around, and closely spaced trees ready to snag a bar-end or pedal. About 20% of the park’s trails are these low lands. These trails will be closed during the wet season to protect the environmentally sensitive ground and plant life.
The most technical riding is in the crossover area between the mid & low ground. The soft ground has long since washed away from the base of the trees, leaving the roots exposed. The roots are of various diameters, running at all angles across the path. A rider may travel many feet, moving from root to root without touching terra ferma. The trails weave between the closely spaced trees, often allowing only inches clearance on either side of your bar.
Definitely technical runs, requiring a delicate balance of finesse and brute strength. These most challenging trails may only account for 20% of your distance traveled, but probably 50% of your time.
One more thing: “you will get lost”.
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Wilderness Park
Flatwoods Road Map
Most riders are familiar with the paved loop shared by road cyclists and rollerbladers, but few know of the single-track opportunities within the park. There are several miles of rideable two-track access roads criss-crossing within the center of the paved loop, great for a beginner. Running adjacent to these roads is a single-track trail linking the 1800 Trail at the east end of the park, to the flood control structure located at the far west end of the park.
All single-track is heavily shaded by oak and pine. There is also single-track and two-track towards the back (west end) of the park. These trails, in conjunction with the above trails, are used to complete a path through Flatwoods. This path is part of the Wilderness Loop that connects all three parks into a 19 mile continuous loop. For those using the Bruce B. Downs parking lot, there is single and double-track linking to the Wilderness Loop.
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Wilderness Park
Trout Creek Road Map
Located between Flatwoods and Morris Bridge Park, this makes a great starting point for day of fun riding. There are only several miles of trail in Trout Creek, but they are very scenic. There are two lakes, with trails round the perimeter of each, plus a nice two-track section along a power line. In addition to the single-track, riders can use the levy to reach the flood control structure. This structure is used to cross the Hillsborough River, and is an intergral part of the Wilderness Loop.
Also in Trout Creek Park are several large picnic pavilions next to the Hillsborough River. There is also a boardwalk and a canoe launch site.
All three parks have bathrooms, water and covered picnic tables. There are six parking lots dispersed along the Wilderness Loop. By using something other than the main parking area at Morris Bridge, the less congested sections of the trails can be easily accessed. This is most beneficial on weekends and holidays. Because of its proximity to Tampa, these trails can easily see 500 to 600 riders a week. All three parks are multi-use recreational facilities. However, Morris Bridge is primarily for hiking. A kiosk displays maps and trail information. Boxes containing information about the park and trails are attached to the kiosk.
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Wilderness Park
Loyce E. Harpe Park (Lakeland) 
Road Map
(fka Carter Road Park)
Learn more about Carter and the other sites developed and maintained by
The RidgeRiders Mountain Bike Association.
Some comments on the trail can be found at MTB Review (NOTE: This will open a new window)
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SouthWest Association of Mountainbike Pedalers
Tampa, Florida USA
Updated: March 23, 2008Copyright © 1998-2008 Southwest Association of Mountain Bike Pedalers, Inc. All rights reserved.
