Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail

Explore old-Florida charm along the 47-mile, well-kept, multi-use, paved Withlacoochee State Trail.

ABOUT US

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. They 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.

CSO CODE OF ETHICS

VERY IMPORTANT
INFORMATION

The long-awaited Withlacoochee State Trail rehab project is about to begin - but repaving cannot happen without a bit of inconvenience. Each construction zone will be CLOSED to all trail users, without exception, so make note of these potential dates:

Almost complete; MM0 (Owensboro trailhead) to MM10 (Croom Road)

This will be done in sections, but we do not have the closure dates at this time.

Complete: MM27 (Near Ft. Cooper State Park) to Eden Drive

October 16 thru 30 (weather permitting): Eden Drive to Mossy Oak Drive

Revised date TBA: N. Apopka Ave to the trestle over Lake Henderson

Revised date TBA: CR486 (Norvell Bryant) to Line Drive

Check

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/withlacoochee-state-trail

or www.FOTWST.org

for updated information and exact dates/sections.

Also follow the Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail, Inc. Facebook page.

Remember, construction zones will be closed to ALL trail traffic. There will be no detours offered. You MUST turn around at the barriers.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE TO AVOID THESE CLOSURES.

Registration is underway for the Fourth Annual Cake by the Lake 5K and One Mile Cakewalk, which will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025 to benefit the Withlacoochee State Trail! Those who register before midnight on September 20, will get the deeply discounted early bird price of just $20!

Once again, we're offering $10 registration for kids up to 12 years old, and $15 registration for teens 13-17. Those 18 and older are considered adults. 17 and under will receive different swag than adults, but it will still be excellent swag and you'll still get a heavy 3" full-color medal, and be eligible to win our special cake plate age group awards, as well as overall awards.

Remember what fun you’ve always had at this race? This one will be better than ever! This is a flat, straight course destined to help you set a new PR!

As usual, no T-shirts, but we’ll have memorable swag you won’t find anywhere else, and everyone gets a heavy, multicolor medal, and of course, Cake by the Lake!

To volunteer to help with this event, either with planning or doing day-of-event tasks, message this page!

To register to run or walk on April 5 - click button: