THE WITHLACOOCHEE STATE TRAIL
We are a community of trail stewards dedicated to the social enjoyment and improvement of Florida's premier paved rail trail, 2026 Top 10 BEST Recreational Trail in the USA for 3 years running. Together, we preserve and maintain the trail and protect the natural canopy, shading every hiker, cyclist, and friend.
Our Stewardship
& Social Spirit
The Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail is a community of trail stewards dedicated to the social enjoyment and improvement of Florida's premier paved rail trail, 2026 Top 10 BEST Recreational Trail in the USA for 3 years running. If you have enjoyed time on the Trail as a cyclist, a runner, an equestrian, a nature lover or even for your commute to work, you are already a part of our dynamic organization. Keep reading to discover more ways you can enjoy this trail.
As dedicated stewards, we work to fund and facilitate the infrastructure that makes our trail a world-class destination. Our stewardship includes ensuring that the historic tree canopy remains thick and shielding to maintaining pristine rest areas and pavilions . We manage the essential enhancements that fall outside the state park budget. We are the Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail, a 501 (c)(3) private/public partnership with the Florida State Parks and the Department of Environmental Protection. See more about our CSO at the bottom of the page.
Get Involved &
Support the Trail
We are a family of like-minded people dedicated to the beauty and stewardship of the Withlacoochee State Trail. Your involvement ensures this evergreen history remains shaded, paved, and preserved for generations to come.
About the Citizen Support Organization
of the WITHLACOOCHEE STATE TRAIL
Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail are a Citizen Support Organization (CSO) dedicated to promoting, supporting and helping to maintain and make improvements for the Withlacoochee State Trail. The Friends accomplish these things by providing public education and outreach programs, holding fundraising events, sale of merchandise and by donating their time and talents to make sure that visitors to the Withlacoochee State Trail have a great experience. Meeting dates are the second Thursday of February, April, September and November. The Withlacoochee State Trail is a 47-mile long, 12-foot wide, paved multi-use rail trail, which opened for use in 1992. The trail is currently one of the longest Rail Trail in the State of Florida. Horseback riding is available adjacent to the paved trail. The trail extends from just south of Dunnellon, FL at the Hwy. 41 underpass to its southern end at Owensboro Junction Trailhead, which is 6 miles north of Dade City, FL on Hwy. 301. The Withlacoochee State Trail meanders through small towns and through the beautiful Withlacoochee State Forest.
CONTACT INFO
TRAIL'S VOLUNTEER GROUP
FRIENDS OF THE
WITHLACOOCHEE STATE TRAIL
Email: fotwst2@gmail.com
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 807
Inverness, FL 34451-0807
TRAIL MANAGEMENT
Chris Raby - Manager
(352) 726-0315
Email: christopher.raby@FloridaDEP.gov
Darby White - PSS
(352) 726-0315
Email: darby.w.white@FloridaDEP.gov
Mailing address: Friends of the
Withlacoochee State Trail, Inc.
3100 S. Old Floral City Road
Inverness, FL 34450