Withlacoochee State Trail
Withlacoochee State Trail
4.5
About
At 46 miles in length, the Withlacoochee State Trail is presently one of the the longest paved rail-trails in Florida. With a generally flat terrain and many access points, the trail is an ideal venue for all skill and fitness levels of cycling, running, walking and skating an unpaved equestrian trail parallels portions of the paved trail. The trail corridor traverses three counties (Citrus, Hernando and Pasco), offering an enjoyable, varied journey as it runs through small towns, ranches and six distinct natural communities between Citrus Springs and Dade City. Officially designated as part of the Florida Greenways and Trail System, this State Trail is also a National Recreation TrailĀ® which offers rich opportunities for viewing plants & wildlife and provides access to many other outstanding recreational opportunities.
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4.5
225 reviews
Excellent
179
Very good
38
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
1
dej
Palm City, FL150 contributions
Aug 2023
A very nice bike trail into the big oak trees, lot of birds and squirrels. Its a easy ride along an old railroad track. This area is super nice and worth a return trip.
Written 16 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skip Hicks
Ocala, FL166 contributions
Dec 2022
Love the trail. Only issue if it happens to get dark while you're out and you run into some lame FWC officer trying to make a name for himself. lol
Written 4 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wesley S
2 contributions
Jan 2023 ā¢ Couples
Rented two trikes (from Trek Bicycles in Inverness) to ride this trail, and it was well worth it. So many places to see and places to eat along the trail. One of our favorites was Ferris Grove. Great strawberry shakes and shortcakes. Fresh veggies and fruit, and many jams (which we did send a number home). Also, Burger Station is a place to have lunch. Trail is well kept, flat, and paved. When needing to cross a road, cars stop to let us cross. Just make sure they see you and are prepared to stop. Be as courteous as the drivers are. All other bikers and walkers were very pleasant. This was a must do experience if in Inverness. Also, be sure to do some kayaking in Rainbow River).
Written 26 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine M
11 contributions
Jan 2023 ā¢ Couples
Scenic, relatively flat, lots of restrooms along trail. 46 miles. Very well marked. Highly recommend. Bars and restaurants on / near trail.
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abee
Dunnellon, FL74 contributions
May 2022
This a a beautiful trail for walking. Shady and relaxing with all the wildlife around you. Wonderful place
Written 5 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
farrgen
Melbourne Beach, FL42 contributions
Nov 2022
We were with 70 other riders from the Vero Cycling Club. The Withlacoochee Trail is well-maintained and well-marked. It was not crowded, but when other cyclists were around, they were courteous and friendly. Motorists were very kind and would let us pass intersections. There are restrooms along the way which was appreciated.
Written 17 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HJvacations
NJ6 contributions
May 2022
My husband and I rode the entire trail in two days. Day 1 we went north from the Central Motel in Inverness to the the end of the trail at mile marker 46, turned around and headed south to mile marker 23 in Floral City then headed back to our motel (47 miles) round trip. There are a few trail heads with Bathroom facilities and right off the trail plenty of places to stop for refreshments. Day 2 we parked our car in Floral City at mile marker 23 and headed south to the beginning of the trail. The southern half of the trail is a little more remote taking you through the Withlacoochee forest. The trailheads are further apart and there is no where right on the trail to purchase refreshments. However we did find a CITGO Station on Trilby RD just a few doors down from the Trilby Post Office approximately 3 miles from mile marker 0. The CITGO Station has a large variety of sports drinks and high energy snacks if you are low on drinks or need a protein boost this is a good place to stop and only a short distance off the trail. We did 46 miles round trip on day 2 and weāre glad we booked an extra night at the Central Motel so we could rest and shower before heading to our next destination.
Written 18 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rdna5
Rockport, TX88 contributions
Nov 2021
Starting from the Central Hotel in Inverness, we rode approx. 20 miles south on the trail before turning back. During a Thursday in November, parts of the ride had a mixture of riders, joggers and dog walkers, all quite friendly with most of the ride, easy going and solitary with long stretches of native flora. There was very little in the way of wildlife apart from the multitude of Gopher Turtle whose dens were quite fascinating. A nice wide, smooth trail with little gain in elevation.
Written 30 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara H
6 contributions
Dec 2021 ā¢ Couples
Beautiful walking/biking 46 mile paved trail and runs along 3 beautiful parks..Liberty park.. Wallace Brooks park and Cooter Pond park.. an amazing picturesque area.
Written 21 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rad D
gainesville, fl.439 contributions
May 2021
This continues to be one of our favorite SP properties. There are so many places it can be accessed for hiking or biking of short distances or long. We visit it, however, exclusively because of the geocaching opportunities, which is what draws us to almost any of the State parks, most of which we would not have visited otherwise.
Written 16 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you allow e bikes
Class 1 pedal assist electric bikes are allowed. Pedal assist is defined as the electric motor will only work if the bike is being pedaled. If you stop pedaling then the electric motor stops working. No electric bikes with any type of throttle device is allowed.
rehogirl
Rehoboth Beach, DE16 contributions
Where are the trailheads for parking along this trail!! Would like a scenic part to ride on, about 15-20 miles. Need a real address for trailheads. Thanks.
Bruce W
90 contributions
322 N. Pine, Inverness. It is the Trail Rental Store. There is parking all along three or four streets. You can ride north to Hernando or South to Floral City. Both beautiful rides. Flat.
MrChuck2u
Orlando1 contribution
What is the best section of the trial for a 20 mile ride for scenery and places to stop for food & drink?
Michael S
Palmetto, FL18 contributions
Start at Fliral City and go north to Inverness. Beautiful ride and several restaurant/bars for food and drink. In Floral City is Shamrock in for lunch and beers. Towards Invermess is Robins or Cinnamon Sticks for breakfast. I would recommend Cinnamon Sticks for breakfast. It is special.
The physical address for Inverness trailhead -Rd caboose
Stefan H
Boca Raton, FL43 contributions
315 N Apopka Ave, Inverness, FL 34450
davidm19462015
Morgantown, KY81 contributions
Are Pedal assist only e bikes allowed on this rail trail
That is correct
Tuck2family
Davenport, IA63 contributions
We are hoping to ride the trail the 2 weeks of Christmas and New Years on our RV road trip. Are there any campsites along the trail? We are risking it and taking a couple weeks through Florida hoping to find some overnight spots! Any suggestions would b great!
frogsqueezerfive
Inverness, FL37 contributions
There are no camping locations ON the trail itself, but there are a number of overnight camping spots nearby--just not necessarily in biking distance from the trail. In addition, the Withlacoochee trail closes at dusk.
little n
Land O Lakes, FL41 contributions
We plan to ride bikes from Istachatta north to the Inverness Area. Are there any places to get lunch near the trail in the Inverness area? Where exactly is the "Red Caboose"? thanks in advance.
B5155XLjennifera
Inverness, FL3 contributions
The āred cabooseā is just a decomissioned rail caboose set up as a display to commemorate the railway which now serves as the base for the ārail trailā. Itās right next to the trail on Apopka Ave. As for food, currently you have to ride or walk up from the caboose along Apopka Avenue to the square around the old Courthouse museum. Youāll find several restaurants. Part way up Apopka thereās MacLeod House Bistro on the right and an Italian restaurant on the left. Once up near the courthouse square there are an english-style pub, a pizza restaurant and two large pub-style restaurants. Around the corner on Pine St., thereās a very popular icecream parlor with simple restaurant and an English-style pub. Plan to spend some time looking around the well restored downtown area. Itās not large, but very bike-friendly.
Betsey K
Beverly Hills, FL1 contribution
How do I get a list of access points where there is parking and can you ride horses on the grassy parts of the trail?
Sherri9360
Dunnellon, FL258 contributions
They won't list grassy areas to ride on. Tillis hill is all sandy for footing.
Paula T
Jacksonville, United States10 contributions
Hi, I want to ride the Withalacochee Trail (bicycle). I recall cone absolutely scenic view of the river. I would not known it was there, except I saw some people coming, just "out of the woods." I was headed south, around Florial City. This spot was on my left. I had to walk down a very short trail to get to this incredible river view. Could you point me to a mile marker? Thank you.
CoalOhio
Ohio200 contributions
Hello:
I talked with Diane Otten at 352-302-0051 about your inquiry. She is a Park Services Specialist for the Withlachoochee State Trail. She did know about this scenic spot you inquired about but said it is private property that is patrolled with rifles and she said it is an area to avoid. She did mention there are a couple other scenic river spots that are available to the public but they are a lot further south. Her top recommendation is Ridge Manor which is at mile marker #6 (Floral City is #23) at Highway 50 - there is a Pavillion and a Gateway at this location. She did mention you would want to wear tick repellant. She also shared another scenic spot that is about halfway between Floral City and Ridge Manor - around mile marker #11 at the Croon Wildlife Management property. Good luck in your travels - it is a beautiful bike trail.
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Claim your listingWITHLACOOCHEE STATE TRAIL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Withlacoochee State Trail
- Hotels near Withlacoochee State Trail:
- (1.44 mi) Central Motel
- (7.63 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Inverness-Lecanto
- (6.12 mi) Riverside Lodge Resort
- (1.53 mi) ZEN SPOT SANCTUARYHEATED SALT POOL! PRIVATE! SCREENED PATIO BBQKOI
- (2.00 mi) BASS HAVEN 3/1 Lake home. Beautiful Lakefront View. Fish right in the back yard
- Restaurants near Withlacoochee State Trail:
- (1.34 mi) Cedar River Seafood
- (2.47 mi) Stumpknockers on The Square
- (0.98 mi) Heidi's Souper Salads & More
- (2.89 mi) Robin's Country Kitchen
- (2.52 mi) Pine Street Pub