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Print Friendly MapThe Withlacoochee Bay Trail extends from the Gulf, north of Crystal River and south of Inglis, nearly 5 miles east to just beyond North Suncoast Boulevard. The trail provides access to a 758-acre equestrian area, picnic pavilions and a canoe launch. It's also part of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, a developing 110-mile trail stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River.
There are plenty of birding opportunities as well as observation decks along the barge canal, which the trails follows. There are several side trails, including some through Felburn Park.
Be sure to also visit the nearby Withlacoochee State Trail.
The Withlacoochee Bay Trail is located at US 19/98 at the old Cross Florida Barge Canal, approximately 12 miles north of Crystal River and 0.5 mile south of Inglis. Turn west at the south end of the bridge and proceed west along the trail. The Felburn Park section is east of the US 19/98 bridge and can be reached by a connecting road past the State Marine Police Station.
Very nice trail but not too scenic. This is very well maintained and has rest stops along the route. It's very urban and quiet but not much as far as scenery. We plan on doing the North side soon to see what that has to offer. Don't get me wrong it's a nice ride and well worth the effort. Parking is not a hassle either.
Flat, next to the river. Short 6 miles. Good shade.
Great ride! Only car Traffic was parking lot! This was a very nice ride. Straight to the Gulf of Mexico! We’re from Louisiana so it was nice to see the Gulf again with no hurricane. Hahaha! Loving the Florida Sunshine State!!!
Going out to bay was a beautiful easy ride, coming back was a little more of a workout due to headwinds. Will go back.
Beautiful ride to the GOM. Riding next to the river was very pretty, much of it in the sun so sunscreen is a must! We hung out with a big alligator who was resting near a picnic area.
We rode this trail for the first time this past weekend and it was beautiful! The elevation changes were a surprise and the trail was well maintained and clean restrooms!
Not only is this trail very well-maintained but the wildlife is fantastic, the views are amazing and there are periodic outcroppings that are well done and well-maintained so that you can park your bike and walk out to an overlook. We saw a deer and at the end of the trail watched a dolphin hunt in the shallows. We found the contrast of the natural beauty against the distant view of the power plant to be one of the best sites in Florida. Easy access too
Good, ample parking with indoor plumbing rest rooms at the trailhead. There is no canopy to speak of for shade. My fitness watch measured 35’ of elevation change throughout the ride. The trail doesn’t open until 8am.
Really nice short ride. Left a little late so eas very hot and not a shaded trail...that's my fault. No potholes, saw deer and the beautiful water. Impressed with how well it is kept up. Bathrooms at beginning which os always a plus. I
This is a really nice if fairly short trail. You ride alongside the river the whole time. There are many places to stop and have a look out and even a picnic. Good place to see wildlife (deer, turtles) and it was not crowded - just a handful of other riders.
My family and friends walk this trail all the time, and drive out to the parking lot. We always see animals and fish in their natural habitat. It would be unusual not to see dolphins here, fishing in the barge canal and at the end of the walk/near the picnic tables is great.
My wife and I had the pleasure to ride this trail last Saturday, March 31, 2018. We are not professional riders, but instead enjoy riding and stop and smell the roses from time to time. This trail is not a "thigh burner". It is very clean, the restrooms at the head of the trail are clean and there are park benches offering people a chance to have a snack. I liked the trail and it gives some panoramic views of "low country" Florida. We will go back.
This was our last trail, we did it on the way home. The signage on Hiway 98 is bad. The trail sign points west when you are heading north, this put you on a potholed dirt rode with all the boat trailers. Then you continue under the bridge to a nice paved road to Florida Wildlife Building and on to a nice parking area and trail entrance. Going to the east end is short and there are some views of the canal and a slight uphill to the end, On your way back as you go downhill you have a great view of the nuclear Plant. You cross under 98 and have a smooth ride on clean pavement to to west end where you end at the Gulf of Mexico and the highlight of the ride.
Lovely short easy bike trail. Quiet and serene with gazebos dotted along the path to watch the birds and fishermen.
At the Gulf end, I saw bald eagles soaring around. Delightful!
A good hiking trail too.
Rode the trail today starting from the trailhead at the park. Rode with my husband and 10 yr old daughter. Other than it being very hot it was a great smooth ride and scenic. I read the reviews before going and there are nice shaded spots and covered picnic tables along the way heading towards the gulf. When you get to the end it's very scenic and peaceful. There were some people fishing down there as well. If you do park at the trailhead park there are restrooms. I read someone's post that said there weren't any facilities so that is true for the rest of the trail.
Rode the entire trail December 16-17. Originally was going to go from south terminus to north terminus but we wanted to get hotel near trail. Stayed at the Central Motel near Inverness which is right on the trail. Rode first day south to southern terminus and back for total of 59 miles, then next day rode from our motel to the north terminus and back for a total of 34 miles. I'm 61 and the wife 59 so we were a little worn out after the second day.
In floral city there is a bike shop right on the trail called Hampton's Edge Trailside. Very nice folks let us test ride some recumbent bikes and some trikes. There are lots of trikes on the trail.
Trail is well maintained and cars at the few crossings are very respectful of the bikers. Would definitely recommend the trail for some relaxed riding.
Stopped here for a ride on the way back from Gainesville. Very interesting and well done. Too short for a destination trail but the future plans are exiting.
An easy ride out to the Gulf with views of both the marshes and the canal. There are multiple shelters to stop at and a few fisherman were using the decks at those stops. We parked at the trail head just east of Hwy 19 (south of the canal) with ample parking, clean rest rooms, and drinking water.
Getting on the trail I took the right on to the trail, it is approximately 1.25 miles where it dead ends into the woods. Came back the 1.25 miles and road out to the Gulf of Mexico 5 miles out. There is very little elevation to deal with and there are stops along the the way to sit and enjoy the scenery along the canal, marsh and then of course the gulf. Had the pleasure of riding this the first time the other day and was lucky enough to see dolphins playing in the water. Great ride and it will be one of my regulars rides. Total distance rode there 12.5 miles.
An extra 1.2 miles (paved) was added east of the main trailhead in 2012, making a one-way total of 6 miles.
A nice trail for a short ride and scenic views. A marked turn EAST (from US19/US98) about 1/2 mile south of the
canal to parking and restrooms.
This is a well maintained trail with a few small hills, smooth roads, great facilities & lookouts over the swamp, canal, and the gulf. Finding the main parking lot was a little tricky, so some signs would be helpful, but go under the overpass & turn left past the building and continue until it dead ends. Main parking lot has restrooms, picnic tables, and a playground. Our ride was 10 miles round trip from the main parking lot to the Gulf lookout.
"Although the park closes at sunset, the end of the trail is a prime spot to watch the sun begin to set. There is a pavilion on the gulf to sit and watch the show. In addition to a variety of birds, we saw racoons and an armadillo. "
"This is an excellent trail that goes along a loch that leads to the Gulf of Mexico. There are plenty of birding opportunities (hence squawks) and beautiful, eerie views of the Gulf of Mexico (hence squid). The trail has restroom facilities about halfway through and also plenty of covered viewing areas along the loch, marshes and the Gulf of Mexico. "
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