A vast green space east of New Port Richey, Starkey Park offers a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
With a large playground and pavilion area, the park is popular among locals, who also jog and ride bikes along the paved Starkey Trail, a section of the Florida Coast to Coast Trail.
One of the hiking-only loopsFor hikers, a trio of loop trails span an expansive mosaic of natural landscapes, ranging from 1.6 miles to a nearly 14 mile trip.
Deeper ventures into the preserve can be turned into overnight backpacking trips, using one of three primitive campsites along the route.
Sheltered benches make nice rest stops at trail junctionsResources
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Overview
Location: New Port Richey
Length: 13.8 miles
Trailhead: 28.252833, -82.640306
Address: 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey
Fees: Free
Restrooms: Four restrooms throughout the day use areas
Land manager: Pasco County and Southwest Florida Water Management District
Phone: 727-834-3247
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. Campers must have reservations for backcountry sites. Call the park in advance.
Directions
From the the Suncoast Parkway east of New Port Richey, head west on SR 54 for 6.6 miles before turning right onto Starkey Blvd. In 4.4 miles, make a right onto Wilderness Park Blvd. Follow the main park road for 0.6 miles, passing the nature center before turning right onto a dirt road that ends at the trailhead in another tenth of a mile.
Hike
Starting at the shared trailhead for the equestrian and hiking loops, head eastward across a grassy clearing.
Pass a group of benches before following a sandy access road into the woods. In a tenth of a mile, turn left at a fork in the trail.
Follow orange and blue blazes around a group tent campsite.
Main TrailheadNearing a quarter mile, take a short detour along the McNeil Homestead interpretive trail through the remains of a pioneer homestead.
A series of signs along the short loop describe historic remnants of this 1880s homestead.
McNeil HomesteadAt a trail junction in 0.8 mile, continue following orange blazes eastward where blue blazes branch off to form the shortest loop.
Oaks give way to sand pines as the surrounding landscape transitions to a xeric scrubby flatwoods.
The halfway point on the 3 Mile Loop is marked with a sign next to a covered bench.
Covered benchTurning left to follow a connector trail to the next loop, use a small boardwalk to navigate around a dip between two cypress strands.
The path emerges onto an open pine forest. Stay to the right at the next fork.
Follow the wide pathway across prairies covered in saw palmetto dotted with pines and a scattering of oaks.
Scrubby flatwoodsApproaching 3.3 miles, a side spur leads to Campsite #1, a cozy spot with a picnic table, fire ring, and grill tucked into a small hammock.
In less than a tenth of a mile, the trail takes a couple of sharp turns before crossing a potentially wet section where a narrow cypress strand intersects the trail.
Campsite #1Reaching the eastern side of the second loop near the five-mile mark, join the next connector trail leading to the final loop.
At 5.8 miles, turn right onto the paved Starkey Trail. In a few hundred feet, a side trail leads to Campsite #2.
This tiny grassy clearing in the flatwoods is shared with long-distance cyclists following the Florida Coast to Coast Trail.
Campsite #2Continue eastward over the dark tannic waters of Cross Cypress Branch and turn right at the next hiking trail sign, leaving the pavement.
The trail then follows a sweeping arc across wet flatwoods between cypress domes and the Anclote River, reaching the Starkey Trail again at 7.8 miles.
Cross Cypress BranchAn inviting covered bench awaits at the far end of the trail, providing a resting spot before heading back towards the trailhead.
From this point, follow the paved trail westward, spanning Cross Cypress Branch again.
Turn right after ten miles to begin the northern half of the middle loop.
Starkey TrailShortly after crossing a wet area between two cypress domes, the trail passes Campsite #3, an open spot with the same amenities as the other two primitive sites.
Orange blazes continue to the west as the path traverses sandhill and flatwoods communities before closing the loop.
Sandhill habitatStay to the left at the next fork as the trail cuts through a patch of rosemary scrub and winds northward past a few basin marshes.
The largest features a side trail leading to an impressive elevated bird blind.
Close the final loop shortly after the bird blind, and cross the clearing once again, ending at the trailhead.
Florida rosemaryTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Starkey Wilderness Park
Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park Explore an expansive landscape of pine flatwoods, prairies, scrubby flatwoods, and open scrub along over 16 miles of hiking trails east of New Port Richey.Video
Hiking the Starkey Wilderness Loop
Slideshow
See our photos from the Starkey Wilderness Loop
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