In the late 1800s, a flurry of railroad construction followed the discovery of phosphate near waterways along Florida’s west coast from Dunnellon south.
Railroad magnate Henry Plant built the Plant System Railroad down to Tampa, connecting these mining communities.
Hedging his mining bets, Plant added destination hotels in Tampa to attract tourists. By 1902, the route became known as the Atlantic Coast Line (ACL).
When the ACL became part of the Seaboard Coast Line in 1967, certain corridors were abandoned over the next two decades. This was one of them.
The original railroad station in downtown InvernessOne of Florida’s earliest and longest rails-to-trails projects, the original Atlantic Coast Line segment between Citrus Springs and Dade City was used for this bike path.
It was developed in the 1990s as a recreation and transportation corridor. Before we ever met, we’d each explored it in our own ways.
Now defunct, the Isachatta General Store was a favorite stop for Florida Trail hikersJohn rode the trail with friends, using Floral City as a pivot point. Sandra walked it from Nobleton to Hernando as part of a Florida Trail section hike.
The uniqueness of this trail lies in its setting as it parallels the northward flow of the Withlacoochee River.
A side path leads to the river south of NobletonOnce-bustling phosphate, timber, and citrus boom towns are now quiet communities in rural lakeside settings.
Easy to access restaurants, campgrounds, and motels enable rides to stop and explore along the way.
Crooked River Campground is a personal favorite along the trailResources
Our resources for exploring the area
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Overview
Location: Dade City to Citrus Springs
Length: 44.1 miles linear
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Address: 3100 S. Old Floral City Rd, Inverness FL 34450
Phone: 352-726-0315
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. Please pick up after your pet.
Benches are provided at regularly spaced intervals along the trail, as well as covered shelters with benches or picnic tables.
Restrooms with water are provided in several locations adjoining trailhead parking.
About the Trail
While the trail can be ridden in one go by expert riders, we’ve divided it into three pieces that make sense for day trips out and back from major trailheads.
Withlacoochee State Trail South
On this 13.7 mile stretch starting north of Dade City, most riders focus on the segment northbound from the Ridge Manor trailhead through Withlacoochee State Forest.
The Florida Trail crosses the bike path, providing connections for hikers for the Croom Loops and the Croom River Trail.
Florida Trail crossing north of Silver LakeThere are also three riverfront campgrounds within the state forest that are an easy ride not far off the trail.
This segment is also where cyclists following the Florida Coast to Coast Trail will turn off to continue west on the Good Neighbor Trail into Inverness.
Long canopied sections are a delight on this part of the trailWithlacoochee State Trail Central
For the 14.3 miles from Nobleton to Inverness, the trail is largely in a shaded corridor first paralleling back roads, and then along US 41.
Passing through the tiny village of Istachatta, it reaches Floral City, historic center of the citrus industry for which Citrus County is named.
The trail goes behind Ferris Groves, a worthwhile stop for a fresh fruit snackNorth of Floral City, a paved side trail connects with facilities in Fort Cooper State Park, where camping can be arranged.
As the trail reaches Inverness, it is again behind residences and businesses. But the protected corridor between the lakes into downtown Inverness is a delight.
The trail goes between Cooter Pond and Henderson Lake as it comes into InvernessWithlacoochee State Trail North
As the trail leaves downtown Inverness, it curves to slip beneath US 41 to end up on its west side for the remainder of the journey, 16.1 miles north.
Right at the US 41 underpass is where the northbound Florida National Scenic Trail joins the bike path all the way up to the Gulf Junction trailhead.
Following the Florida Trail out of Whispering Pines Park to join the Withlacoochee State Trail northboundRoad crossings are much more frequent along this segment, as is easy access to restaurants, stores, and trailside parks.
Just south of Dunnellon, the Gulf Junction terminus marks the current end of the Withlacoochee State Trail.
Gulf Junction trailheadPlans are in place to create a paved bike path connector to the Dunnellon trailhead of the Cross Florida Greenway to join the Dunnellon Trail.
The Florida Trail currently follows orange blazes through a Citrus Springs neighborhood to make that connection.
Tunnel of trees north of InvernessTrailheads
Click on any icon on the map to pull up trail or park details or obtain directions to a trailhead.
Wallace Brooks Park in InvernessMileage
| Mile | Location |
|---|---|
| 0.0 | Dade City terminus |
| 2.4 | Ridge Manor trailhead |
| 5.0 | FT Cypress Glen junction |
| 5.6 | Silver Lake Rd stile |
| 8.0 | FT Silver Lake junction |
| 8.4 | Croom junction |
| 8.9 | Croom Rd parking |
| 13.2 | Lake Lindsay Rd |
| 13.7 | Lake Townsen Park |
| 14.3 | Istachatta |
| 19.5 | Floral Park Dr |
| 21.3 | Floral City |
| 25.4 | Fort Cooper State Park back entrance |
| 26.8 | Eden Drive parking |
| 28.0 | Wallace Brooks Park Inverness |
| 28.3 | Withlacoochee State Trail Headquarters |
| 29.4 | FT Whispering Pines junction |
| 33.3 | Hernando trailhead |
| 38.8 | Holder parking |
| 39.7 | Citrus Springs trailhead |
| 44.1 | Gulf Junction trailhead terminus |
Connections
Florida Trail
When the Western Corridor of the Florida Trail was first established, it made liberal use of the Withlacoochee State Trail to connect Brooksville with Dunnellon.
In recent years, our National Scenic Trail has been rerouted more appropriately as a footpath as originally intended, linking segments of Withlacoochee State Forest.
Following the trail north of HernandoThe Florida Trail continues to use the Withlacoochee State Trail between Whispering Pines Park in Inverness and the Citrus Springs terminus.
Florida Trail, Western Corridor
241 miles. With segments linking Withlacoochee State Forest and the Cross Florida Greenway, the Western Corridor provides access to wild spaces between Tampa and Ocala
Florida Coast to Coast Trail
A 6 mile segment of the Withlacoochee State Trail between Ridge Manor and Croom Junction is used as a connector for cyclists following the Florida Coast to Coast Trail.
Florida Coast to Coast Trail
With a corridor spanning more than 220 miles across nine Florida counties, the Florida Coast to Coast Trail (C2C) is Central Florida’s long distance bike path
Good Neighbor Trail
Used as a connector for the Florida Coast to Coast Trail, the Good Neighbor Trail is a straight run from the Withlacoochee State Trail west to downtown Brooksville.
Good Neighbor Trail
An important link in the Florida Coast to Coast Trail, the Good Neighbor Trail stretches 10.1 miles from downtown Brooksville to the Withlacoochee State Trail
Trail Map
Explore More!
Along the Route
Visit these stops along the Withlacoochee State Trail
Croom River Trail Loop
Using the Florida Trail and the Blue Loop Trail, hikers can explore a picturesque corner of Withlacoochee State Forest in Ridge Manor along a 3.9-mile loop.
Florida Trail, Croom River Trail
A pleasant ramble on bluffs above the Withlacoochee River, the Croom River Trail segment of the Florida Trail tunnels through oak hammocks and slips around cypress swamps along its 6.3-mile journey.
Florida Trail, Croom Hiking Trail
9.8 miles. Traversing rolling landscapes of the Brooksville Ridge, the Croom section of the Florida Trail provides miles of panoramic views within a large area of sandhill habitat.
Lake Townsen Preserve
Offering access to the Withlacoochee River and the Withlacoochee State Trail while protecting a swath of environmentally sensitive lands west of Nobleton, Lake Townsen Preserve is the gateway to miles of trails.
Fort Cooper State Park
Protecting woodlands and marshes around Lake Holathlikaha, Fort Cooper State Park preserves an important chapter of the Second Seminole War. An annual re-enactment relives the battle.
Cooter Pond Park
In downtown Inverness, Cooter Pond Park is a great place for birding and watching the turtles beneath the extensive boardwalk over the pond.
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