Explore the best rated trails in Otter Creek, FL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Withlacoochee State Trail and Gainesville Rail-Trails . With more than 16 trails covering 232 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This 46 mile trail has a little of everything. Parts have nice shade, some areas are rural and some areas go through small towns. There are multiple access points. Highlights for us were Floral City near the midway point, Ft. Cooper State Park access, and Inverness where the trail skirts the water. There aren't many difficult road crossings and not many climbs to get over high intersection bridges. As of our last ride in 2025, the trail was in good shape. Not terribly crowded. An outstanding ride.
My wife and I took a three week bike trip in late winter 2025 and did 10 trails in 5 different states and the Marjorie Harris was by far the best trail of the trip. It didn’t hurt that the weather was perfect with sunshine and 73 degrees. But the trail was in great shape with plenty of small ups and downs and turns through beautiful wooded areas. It was mid week so not too busy with other riders, but the trail is nice and wide so oncoming and passing is not a problem. It did look like a popular spot for club riders though. Lots of incumbents. People were friendly. The only negative….it’s too short. We would have done 20 miles if the MH ran that far. So ride, don’t walk and put this trail on your bucket list.
We parked at Lake Townsen Park, had some lunch at Bree’s Provisions (They close at 2:00) and rode north, out and back for about an hour. The trail is well maintained and goes through beautiful farm country.
This is a terrific ride on paved trail through shaded natural landscapes. Pine and live oak uplands and cypress swamps. The trail bed is in very good condition except for some minor root bumps here and there. Enjoyed the challenge of some long but gentle hills near the Gainesville end. We rode hybrid bikes so medium narrow tires and did nearly the entire trail and back again in two and a half hours of actual riding.
I love riding rail trails because you don’t need to worry about traffic ! Cross over a few roads but nothing major until you get into Gainesville. But there are crossing signals and traffic was good about stopping. Recommend you eat at The Wrap Shack if you ride into Hawthorne.
Rode every inch on this trail back and forth. Not too much nature but one very small section. Should be called the Highway Trail most of it is right next to the highway. I've been on rail to trails all over the country this is my least favorite. You pass thru a lot of very trashy areas near Cross City, Chiefland and ride next to the highway A LOT. You see more broken down should be condemned trashy single wide trailers than nature. Also this is the only trail I've ever seen where the were to lazy to pull the rails up first. They just slapped the blacktop right on top. Big waste of good steel and it's causing problems all over the trail.
Parked off a dirt lot about the midway point of the trail. Rode west, enjoyed a view of the gulf at the endpoint, then turned around, and road the 6+ miles to the other end. If I had a complaint, it would be that the trail didn't go further.
This trail got a makeover that is now complete! It’s super smooths and perfect for a speed skating session. I love this trail! It brings you all the way to Ichetucknee-Oleno (which needs to be redone tbh). But this trail has such amazing quality and I enjoy the scenery north of Branford.
Trail closed, drove to get here and found out with signs up at all the crossings in our area.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/withlacoochee-state-trail
This is a great trail. If you don’t have all day to get a work out. It goes along a beautiful canal that leads to the Gulf of Mexico. The complete stretch round-trip is a little over 13 miles. There are areas where there’s beautiful views and several places to stop to take in the scenery. We also saw a lot of wildlife. Well maintained. Good for riding bikes, horseback riding, or walking.
I recommend every cyclist and runner … to check out this trail. It’s just amazing.
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