Does your community desire to become a recognized Trail Town? Start with contacting your Office of Greenways and Trails Regional Coordinator.
When you walk the streets of downtown Dunedin, you see a multitude of bike shops, bustling inns, busy cafes and humming businesses. The downtown area is also filled with joggers, bikers, inline skaters and leisurely walkers, all perusing local businesses and enjoying coastal scenery. Much of the excitement and vitality in Dunedin comes from the Pinellas Trail, which runs through town on an abandoned CSX railroad corridor. Thanks to the Pinellas Trail, downtown Dunedin’s business occupancy rate rose from 30% to 100%. Dunedin became Florida's first trail town, designated in January of 2018.
The city of Titusville along Florida's East Coast is at the confluence of three long-distance trails: Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail, East Coast Greenway and the St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop. The town's steps to becoming a Trail Town included forming a trails committee, spearheading efforts to build a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over Garden Street (State Road 406 - their busiest thoroughfare), and revamping downtown streets to be more bicycle/pedestrian friendly.
Malabar, a small town at the southern end of Brevard County along Florida's East Coast, was designated due to its vigorous efforts to establish walking, bicycling and paddling trails through its conservation areas. The town has an active Trails and Greenways Committee that works to connect their trail system to neighboring towns, and they came together to build an impressive trail shelter, an ideal spot for a rest break or picnic or to take refuge from a storm.
Located just north of St. Augustine along Highway A1A, Vilano Beach has developed a wide range of amenities for bicyclists on the East Coast Greenway and paddlers on the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. The town has wide paved trails on both sides of its main boulevard along with directional signage on every block.
Located at the halfway point of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail, the South Lake Trail in Clermont provides numerous amenities for trail users such as restrooms, shade, information kiosks, way-finding signs, free Wi-Fi, water fountains and showers. Plus, the Legacy Loop Trail safely brings trail users into downtown.
Palatka has become a major trail hub, situated along long-distance paved multiuse trails, the St. Johns River Blueway and historic Bartram Trail in Putnam County. The town's interactive St. Johns River Center provides trail information and maps, and trail events draw hundreds of participants each year.
Inverness, located along the 46-mile Withlacoochee State Trail, has embraced bicycle tourism as an economic driver. With good signage, amenities, numerous events, and safe bicycle and pedestrian passage through downtown, Inverness has created a highly visual gateway to downtown from the trail.
Deltona is a hub for several long-distance multiuse trails such as the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail and the St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop. The town has also embarked on an ambitious program to link its many parks by trail.
Everglades City is a gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands and an important hub for several paddling trails, including the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. The town is also bike-friendly as evidenced by bicycle racks throughout town and at the airport.
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, downtown Winter Garden is a favorite destination for those traveling on the award-winning West Orange Trail. The trail links cyclists, joggers and pedestrians to the center of downtown, which includes a revitalized business and arts district.
With a growing network of multiuse trails and a revitalized Depot Park, downtown Gainesville is a popular destination for all trail users.
The city of DeBary uses an intentional trail-first mindset in everything it does. As the only location in Florida where three major state bike trails connect just steps from the only SunRail station in Volusia County, the city offers access to a myriad of ecotourism activities including biking, hiking, kayaking, camping and more.
Winter Haven's trail network spans more than 14 miles and includes an interconnected system of parks, neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, theaters, and downtown, which serves as the core of the trail system. Winter Haven also has 50 lakes within or bordering its city limits, offering numerous opportunities for paddlesports.
The city of Brooksville has been the Hernando County seat for more than 100 years. It is a thriving residential-commercial community that has experienced continuous growth while preserving its original charm. The Good Neighbor Trail, part of the Coast-to-Coast Regional Trail, goes through three city parks and downtown Brooksville. Visitors can enjoy multiuse trails, sports facilities, local food and drink, library boxes and local art.
Against the backdrop of Central Florida hills and old oaks, Mount Dora offers a mountain bike trail, parks, and lakefront amenities such as the Palm Island Boardwalk, boat rentals, a boat launch and a well-known lighthouse. Mount Dora is also planning for a high-quality trail network and regional trail connectivity. Mount Dora, voted a favorite small town by Southern Living Magazine, proudly boasts the slogan "Someplace Special."
The first designated Trail Town in Florida’s Big Bend region, the Tallahassee Cascades Corridor is the beginning of a paved multiuse path that will extend to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. The trail also provides access to several neighborhoods, both Florida A&M and Florida State universities, as well as the Railroad Square Art District. Cascades Park, a state-of-the-art stormwater management system, is a fitting trailhead since it boasts a restaurant, splash pad, amphitheater and playground.
Milton, the first designated trail town in the Florida Panhandle, is conveniently situated on the 9-mile Blackwater Heritage State Trail. A full-service bike shop, multiple restaurants and a grocery store are right on the trail. Milton also boasts a 5-mile brick trail that was once part of the original Old Spanish Highway built in the 1920s. Several boat ramps provide access to the scenic Blackwater River.
Surrounded by conservation land in all directions, this is the perfect destination for those searching for an idyllic outdoor adventure! From Sopchoppy, you can hike the Florida National Scenic Trail, bike the Capital City-to-Sea Trail, or paddle the Sopchoppy River. A variety of restaurants and lodging options are located directly off the trail!
The small town of White Springs is known for its rich history, natural beauty and cultural significance. It was once a popular destination for tourists and health-seekers for the healing power of local mineral springs, which were believed to have therapeutic properties. Now, White Springs is a model trail town. Residents and visitors can hike the Florida National Scenic Trail, or paddle the Suwanee River Wilderness Trail, and tour Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park or Big Shoals State Park which provides opportunities for cycling, horseback riding, fishing, camping and more.
Venice is a coastal city located in Sarasota County situated directly on the Legacy Trail and the Venetian Waterway Trail, both of which are part of the regional Gulf Coast Trail. Venice also offers several intercoastal paddling trails that connect to the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. Town amenities for trail users include bike racks, restrooms, water fountains, kayak launches, parks, bike shops, restaurants, grocery stores and hotels. There are several annual bike rides that take place in Venice, including the Tour de Parks and Sharky’s Ride the Beaches, which average 1,700 riders combined. Venice is an ideal location for trail users to stop and spend some time in a city with much to offer!
Sanford is situated halfway between the attractions of Orlando and Cape Canaveral National Seashore on the Atlantic ocean. The small town sits on the south shore of Lake Monroe, providing a waterfront backdrop for a relaxing walk, an early morning run or a place where you can take in the natural beauty. Sanford, well-known for its brick lined streets, towering oaks, elegant store-fronts and large, nineteenth-century Victorian homes was recently designated as one of Florida’s Trail Towns. To learn more about what you can see and do in Sanford click here.
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