The Withlacoochee State Trail is 47 paved miles of old railroad bed running from Citrus Springs south to Trilby, through Inverness, Floral City, and a long green stretch of the Withlacoochee State Forest. It’s flat, mostly shaded, free, and open every day of the year. If you’re parked anywhere near Inverness, it’s the easiest big ride in Florida.
Last verified November 12, 2026. Trail hours, rentals, and construction detours change, so check with Florida State Parks before you go.
Withlacoochee State Trail at a glance
- Length: 47 miles per Florida State Parks (older maps and some signs still say 46), plus a 1-mile connector at the north end to the Dunnellon Trail.
- Surface: paved asphalt, about 12 feet wide, with cement mile and whistle markers left over from the railroad.
- Counties: Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco.
- Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year.
- Fee: none.
- Trail office: 3100 S. Old Floral City Road, Inverness, FL 34450; (352) 726-0315.
- Who’s allowed: bikes (e-bikes included where bikes are permitted), walkers, runners, skaters, and leashed dogs. Horses use a separate unpaved path that parallels parts of the trail.
It’s a designated National Recreation Trail and part of Florida’s Greenways and Trails System. The corridor was a CSX rail line until the state bought 46 miles of right-of-way in 1989.
Trailheads, north to south
Florida State Parks maintains 5 main trailheads with parking and restrooms. Gulf Junction, Inverness, and Ridge Manor also have picnic areas. Smaller access points and town parks fill in the gaps, so you’re rarely more than a few miles from a place to stop.
- Gulf Junction (north end, Citrus Springs): parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and horse-trailer parking. The 1-mile connector to the Dunnellon Trail starts here.
- South Citrus Springs (W. Citrus Springs Blvd.): parking and restrooms. Central Ridge District Park links in just south of here.
- Hernando (CR 486): parking and restrooms, about 5 miles north of downtown Inverness.
- Inverness (downtown, red caboose): parking, restrooms, picnic area, and a bike shop close by. It sits near mile marker 30 N / 16 S. Liberty Park and Wallace Brooks Park on Lake Henderson are a few pedals away.
- Floral City (US 41 and SR 48): restrooms, a gazebo, a water-bottle refill station, and bike shops and cafes a few feet off the trail. It’s close to the middle of the whole route.
- Istachatta and Lake Townsen Regional Park: parking and facilities at the park, plus a boat ramp.
- Ridge Manor (near SR 50): big lots, restrooms, picnic area, and horse-trailer parking. Group rides tend to meet here.
- Trilby and Owensboro (south end): smaller lots. Foundations of the old Trilby station, built around 1900, are still there.
Mileage between towns
Segment distances, rounded, from the north end down. Use the mile markers on the trail to keep count.
| Segment | Miles | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Junction to South Citrus Springs | 4.5 | Shaded and quiet; wildlife is common |
| South Citrus Springs to Hernando | 6 | Rural, some open sun |
| Hernando to Inverness | 5 | Tree canopy, then lakes into town |
| Inverness to Floral City | 7 | Lakes, city parks, Fort Cooper access |
| Floral City to Istachatta | 7 | Old Florida farmland and small towns |
| Istachatta to Ridge Manor | 10.5 | State forest and Croom WMA, the wildest stretch |
| Ridge Manor to Owensboro | 6 | Bridge over SR 50, then rural to the end |
3 rides worth doing
Inverness to Floral City and back (about 14 miles)
The classic. Start at the caboose in downtown Inverness, roll south past Liberty Park and Wallace Brooks Park on Lake Henderson, and keep going to the gazebo in Floral City. Grab a cold drink, refill your bottle at the trailhead station, and ride back. Add the side trip into Fort Cooper State Park if you want lake views and a short walk in the woods; the park has its own entrance fee.
Floral City south into the forest (about 14 miles round trip to Istachatta)
Park at Floral City and head south. Traffic thins out fast, the canopy closes in, and the trail starts to feel like it did when trains still ran it. Riders with more in the tank can push on past Istachatta into the Croom section of the Withlacoochee State Forest, which is about as quiet as this trail gets.
Inverness to Hernando (about 10 miles round trip)
A short morning ride. Just north of downtown you cross a canal between 2 lakes, pass under US 41, and get about 1.5 miles of tree canopy before the trail opens up toward Hernando. Good for kids, new riders, and anyone who wants to be back at the campsite before lunch.
Bike rentals and what to bring
Bike shops in Floral City and Inverness sit right off the trail and rent bikes and trikes. Inventory and hours shift with the season, so call ahead, especially on winter weekends.
- Water: more than you think. Florida sun is strong even in January.
- Sunscreen and bug spray: the shaded stretches hold mosquitoes after rain.
- Helmet: Florida law requires one for riders 16 and under, and it’s a good idea for everyone else.
- A bell: you’ll share the pavement with walkers, skaters, and families. Call out when you pass.
- Dog gear: pets are welcome on a 6-foot handheld leash.
The trail runs past a lot of water. Gators live in these lakes, so keep dogs and small kids back from the shoreline. Our guide to whether alligators are dangerous covers the rest.
When to ride
November through April is prime: cooler mornings, lower humidity, and fewer afternoon storms. Summer works if you start early and are off the trail before the daily thunderstorms roll in. The trail opens at 8 a.m., which in July is already warm, so pick the shaded segments (Hernando to Inverness, or the forest south of Floral City).
Winter is also manatee season on the coast, 25 minutes west. Pair a trail morning with an afternoon at Three Sisters Springs, or read up on the best time to see manatees in Crystal River.
Your RV base: Preservation Point, 6 minutes away
Preservation Point RV Resort sits on 230 acres along Lake Tsala Apopka, 12 miles west of I-75 (Exit 329) on State Road 44. Downtown Inverness and the Withlacoochee State Trail are both 6 minutes away, and Fort Cooper State Park is about 12.
All 221 sites are concrete pads with full hookups: 50/30/20-amp power, water, and dual sewer drops, plus free Wi-Fi. Pull-throughs fit rigs up to 60 feet; back-ins and pull-ins fit up to 45. Sandhill cranes, deer, and wild turkeys wander through most days (here’s how to share a campground with sandhill cranes).
Some guests ride to the trail straight from the park. State Road 44 carries fast traffic, though, so most people throw the bikes on the rack and drive the 6 minutes to a trailhead. Ask at check-in for the current best route.
One honest note: the park is new and still building. The pool, bathhouse, laundry, and office are under construction, so bring a self-contained rig. Guests must be 21 to book.
Staying the winter? Long stays of 30 days or more book by phone at (352) 353-1342. Snowbirds working through the Gulf Coast can fit it into the route from our snowbird RV guide, and the rest of the weekend is in things to do in Inverness, Florida.
Check availability at Preservation Point RV Resort.
Withlacoochee State Trail FAQ
How long is the Withlacoochee State Trail?
Florida State Parks lists it at 47 paved miles from Citrus Springs to the south end near Trilby and Owensboro. Older maps say 46. A 1-mile connector at the north end links to the Dunnellon Trail.
Where’s the best place to park?
Inverness (downtown, by the red caboose) and Floral City (US 41 and SR 48) are the most convenient for most rides, with restrooms and food nearby. Ridge Manor has the biggest lots at the south end, and Gulf Junction anchors the north.
Does it cost anything?
No. The trail is free and open 8 a.m. to sunset every day. Side trips into state parks like Fort Cooper have their own fees.
Are dogs and e-bikes allowed?
Yes to both. Dogs need a 6-foot handheld leash. E-bikes can ride where bicycles are permitted under Florida law; keep to posted speeds.
Can you camp on the trail?
There’s no camping on the trail itself. RVers usually base in Inverness and drive to a trailhead. Preservation Point RV Resort is 6 minutes from the trail, with full-hookup concrete sites.
Sources: Florida State Parks, Withlacoochee State Trail (hours, fees, length, trailhead amenities, pet and bike rules). Segment mileage from trail mile markers and published trail guides; distances from Preservation Point per the park.
