TRAILS

Blackwater Heritage-bhst-mainBLACKWATER HERITAGE STATE TRAIL

5533 Alabama Street
Milton
850-983-5338

 

Blackwater Heritage State Trail is the westernmost state rail-trail, and winds through the historic town of Milton.  The trail extends eight miles north to join the U.S. Navy’s 1.5-mile Military Heritage Trail, which ends at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field.  This paved trail is designated as a National Recreation Trail® and part of Florida’s State Greenways and Trails System.  Biking, running, walking and skating, along with picnicking and birdwatching activities are available along the trail. An unpaved equestrian trail parallels the paved trail. Equestrians can use the paved trail or unpaved shoulder.  Bridges are shared by all trail users.  Equestrian use is not permitted on the Military Heritage Trail.  The main trailhead is located near the intersection of State Road 87 and U.S. Highway 90 in Milton.  Parking, restrooms, picnic tables, barbeque grills, an amphitheater, a playground and a concession are available at the visitor center, which is located approximately one mile from the trailhead.

FL Keys Overseas Heritage Trail-fkoht-mainFLORIDA KEYS OVERSEAS HERITAGE TRAIL

3 La Croix Court
Key Largo, FL  33037
305-853-3571

 

The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail features more than 70 miles of existing trail paved in segments along a planned, 106-mile corridor from Key Largo to Key West. Remaining areas are being designed or are under construction.  This trail parallels U.S. Highway 1, and is a multi-use bicycle and pedestrian facility, designated as a National Scenic Highway and All-American Road. The trail offers access to many points of interest including the Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge, Crocodile Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Key West National Marine Sanctuary, as well as 10 state parks.

small_879467784FLORIDA NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

325 John Knox Road, Suite F-100
Tallahassee, FL  32303
850-523-8510

 

This nearly 1,000-mile trail is a federally-designated, non-motorized, recreation trail.  The U.S. Forest Service is the trails designated administrator, with assistance provided by the Florida Trail Association.

photo credit: WilsonB via photopin cc

Gen. James Van Fleet State Trail-vfst-mainGENERAL JAMES A. VAN FLEET STATE TRAIL

7305 U.S. Highway 27
Clermont, FL  34714
352-394-3969

 

The General James A. Van Fleet State Trail is designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails and is one of Florida’s most rural, paved rail-trails. The trail, which is 29.2 miles long and runs through the Green Swamp, is also designated as a National Recreation Trail®.  An equestrian trail parallels the length of the paved path.  Hunting is allowed in the Green Swamp and Richloam wildlife management areas, found on the western side of the northern half of the trail.  Since the trail remains open during hunting seasons, the state parks website recommends that trail users display fluorescent orange while using the trail in those areas.

Marjorie Harris Cross Florida Greenway-cfg-lndngMARJORIE HARRIS CARR CROSS FLORIDA GREENWAY

8282 SE Highway 314 (49th Avenue to Land Bridge)
Ocala, FL  34470
352-236-7143

 

The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway is a 110-mile corridor that crosses Central Florida from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River, and occupies much of the land formerly known as the Cross Florida Ship and later Barge Canal projects.  Recreational opportunities include hiking, biking, equestrian and paddling trails, boat ramps, fishing spots, campgrounds, a barrier-free Boundless Playground® and picnic shelters.  Trail and recreation areas within the Cross Florida Greenway include: Santos Bike Trails East; Baseline to Marshall Swamp; Land Bridge Trails; 49th Ave. to Land Bridge; SR 200 to CR 484; CR 484 to 49th Ave.; Inglis Island Trails; and the Withlacoochee Bay Trail.

Nature Coast State Trail-ncst-mainNATURE COAST STATE TRAIL

18020 NW Highway 19
Fanning Springs, FL  32693
352-535-5181

 

Visitors can retrace the historic route of the Atlantic Coastline Railroad along the Nature Coast State Trail, which traverses 32 miles of Florida’s Nature Coast region. Part of Florida’s Greenways and Trails System, this state trail has also been designated as a National Recreation Trail®. It consists of two primary alignments built along abandoned rail lines that intersect at Wilcox Junction. Trail highlights include the Historic Suwannee River Railroad Bridge which is east of the Old Town Trailhead. The trail is near Fanning Springs and Manatee Springs state parks and Andrews Wildlife Management Area. An equestrian trail parallels 4.5 miles of the paved trail from Old Town to Fanning Springs.

FUNTASTIC-Palatka-to-Lake Butler-plbst-mainPALATKA-TO-LAKE BUTLER STATE TRAIL

6239 State Road 21
Keystone Heights, FL  32656
352-473-4701

 

This trail corridor extends nearly 47 miles from west of US 17 in Palatka to State Road 238 in Lake Butler, and is still in development as a paved, multi-use recreational trail.  It was designated as part of the Florida Greenways and Trails System in 2007 and is being constructed by the Florida Department of Transportation in segments as funding becomes available.

Palatka to St. Augustine State Trail-psast-mainPALATKA-TO-ST. AUGUSTINE STATE TRAIL

1600 Twigg Street
Palatka, FL  32177
386-329-3721

 

This trail is also known as the State Road 207 Rail-Trail.  The existing 8.5-mile trail extends from just west of Interstate 95, west to the town of Spuds.  The 12-foot wide trail will ultimately extend to over 19 miles through St. Johns and Putman counties, and is being completed in phases by the Florida Department of Transportation, as funding becomes available.

Tallahassee St. Marks State Trail-tsmst-mainTALLAHASSEE-ST. MARKS HISTORIC RAILROAD STATE TRAIL

1358 Old Woodville Road
Crawfordville, FL 32327
850-519-6594

 

This trail extends 20.5 miles, from Florida’s capital city to the coastal community of St. Marks.  Part of Florida’s Greenways and Trails System, this trail has also been designated as a National Recreation Trail®.  Recreational opportunities include running, walking, bicycling and skating.  Horseback riding is available on the adjacent unpaved trail.  At the main trailhead, there is access to the Munson Hills/Twilight Mountain Bike Trails in the Apalachicola National Forest.  The Tallahassee-St. Marks State Trail is a completed section of the developing, 120-mile “Capital City to the Sea Loop” corridor and is a destination along the “Big Bend Scenic Byway.”

Withlacoochee State Trail-wst-mainWITHLACOOCHEE STATE TRAIL

3100 S. Old Floral City Road
Inverness, FL  34450
352-726-0315

 

This 46-mile trail is currently the longest paved rail-trail in Florida. Recreational opportunities include cycling, running, walking and skating.  An unpaved equestrian trail parallels portions of the paved trail.  Designated as part of the Florida Greenways and Trail System, this State Trail is also a National Recreation Trail®.  Nearby areas include the unpaved trails in the Croom area of the Withlacoochee State Forest, the Withlacoochee River (South) Canoe Trail, and Fort Cooper State Park.

Except where otherwise credited, photos on this page courtesy of:  Florida Division of Recreation and Parks

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