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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Footpath in oak hammock with orange blaze

Dade City

Gateway to the Green Swamp and the southern terminus of the Withlacoochee State Trail, Dade City offers a launch point for backpacking and bike touring trips.


Contents

  • 1 Resources
  • 2 Exploring Dade City
  • 3 Featured Trails and Parks near Dade City
    • 3.1 Florida Trail, Croom River Trail
    • 3.2 Florida Trail, Cypress Lakes Preserve
    • 3.3 Withlacoochee State Trail
    • 3.4 Upper Hillsborough River Hiking Trail
    • 3.5 Hillsborough River Hiking Trails
    • 3.6 Gator Creek Reserve
    • 3.7 Withlacoochee River Park
    • 3.8 Oak Ridge Tract
    • 3.9 Florida Trail, Green Swamp West
  • 4 Articles
    • 4.1 The new 50 Hikes in Central Florida
    • 4.2 Pasco County Bug Jam

Resources

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover 50 Hikes in Central Florida Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us continue to provide public information on this website.


Exploring Dade City

Established west of the vast Green Swamp, Dade City has deep roots in the timber and citrus industries. It provides an easy gateway to hikes within the Green Swamp and Withlacoochee State Forest.

The Green Swamp is not a swamp like the Everglades but a mosaic of pine flatwoods and cypress strands where the Withlacoochee, Hillsborough, Peace, and Ocklawaha Rivers arise.

The Western Corridor of the Florida Trail follows the east side of the Withlacoochee River to the east of town, with access points at River Rd, CR 471, and Lacoochee.

Just a few miles north of downtown is the southern terminus of the Withlacoochee State Trail, one of Florida’s oldest rail trails.

It spans 48 miles north through four counties to reach the riverside community of Dunnellon.

Home to the Pioneer Florida Museum, Dade City has a robust Old Florida downtown with long-standing restaurants and cafes like Lunch on Limoges and Kokopelli.

Lodgings include an expansive campground at Withlacoochee River Park, a popular destination for day hiking, as well as camping at Colt Creek State Park and in Withlacoochee State Forest in Ridge Manor.

There are also chain hotels south of downtown along US 301.


Featured Trails and Parks near Dade City

Ribbon of blue river between forested banks

Florida Trail, Croom River Trail

Florida Trail, Croom River Trail

Florida Trail, Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Cypress Lakes Preserve
Long stretch of bike path in forest

Withlacoochee State Trail

Withlacoochee State Trail
Upper-Hillsborough-Hiking-Trail

Upper Hillsborough River Hiking Trail

Upper Hillsborough River Hiking Trail
Hillsborough River State Park

Hillsborough River Hiking Trails

Hillsborough River Hiking Trails
Gator Creek Preserve

Gator Creek Reserve

Gator Creek Reserve
Withlacoochee River Park

Withlacoochee River Park

Withlacoochee River Park
Hikers in a cypress swamp

Oak Ridge Tract

Oak Ridge Tract
Deeply shaded trail under sand live oaks

Florida Trail, Green Swamp West

Florida Trail, Green Swamp West
 
More Trails More Parks


Articles

50 Hikes Central Florida graphic

The new 50 Hikes in Central Florida

October 5, 2018//  by Sandra Friend

We launched a new full-color edition of 50 Hikes in Central Florida at the National Trails Festival in Deland the first weekend of October. Take a peek inside.

The dune buggy as a canvas for an artist

Pasco County Bug Jam

November 13, 2014//  by John Keatley

At the 2014 Pasco County Bug Jam, we spent hours walking up and down the rows of vintage VWs. This year’s event was bigger and better than before, with lots of dune buggies on display.


NEARBY: Brooksville, Lakeland, New Port Richey, Ridge Manor, Tampa, Zephyrhills | ALONG: Withlacoochee River | PART OF: Central Florida

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