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Nature Coast State Trail

Nature Coast State Trail

32 miles of lush trails through several quiet Florida towns

Hours

8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year

Fees

No fee required

Location

17441 N.W. Old Fanning Road
Fanning Springs FL 32693

Get directions

Contact Info

352-535-5181

Park Menu

  • Experiences & Amenities
  • History

Welcome to Nature Coast State Trail

The Nature Coast State Trail provides an excellent opportunity to experience natural North Florida.

In the early 1900s, trains replaced the steamship as the freight and passenger carrier throughout the Suwannee River Valley. Today, visitors can retrace the historic route of the Atlantic Coastline Railroad, traversing 32 miles of Florida's beautiful Nature Coast region.

Officially part of Florida's Greenways and Trails System, this state trail has also been designated as a national recreation trail. It consists of two primary alignments built along abandoned rail lines that intersect at Wilcox Junction, connecting the communities of Cross City, Trenton, Fanning Springs and Chiefland. As funding becomes available, the trail will extend approximately nine miles east from Trenton toward Newberry. Among the trail's highlights is the Historic Suwannee River Railroad Bridge, which is east of the Old Town Trailhead.

The trail is near Fanning Springs and Manatee Springs state parks and Andrews Wildlife Management Area. An equestrian trail parallels 4.5 miles of the paved trail from Old Town to Fanning Springs.

Plan Your Visit

a park ranger in uniform in front of a blue spring
Learn

Manager's Message

The trail provides eco- and heritage-tourism opportunities for runners, walkers, bikers and skaters along the paved path, as well as horseback riding on an unpaved trail that parallels portions of the paved trail.
Annual Pass displayed over water and sky.
Learn

Florida State Parks Annual Pass

Annual entrance passes can be purchased at all park ranger stations and museums. If you require immediate use of your pass, this is the best option. Passes can be purchased during regular business hours 365 days a year.
a red steel bridge span extends over a river in the morning light
Learn

Visit the Suwannee River Trestle

Called “one of the state’s best bike trails,” the Nature Coast State Trail is a three-spoked bike and recreation path located in the middle of rural north-central Florida.

Experiences

Bicycling
Bicycling
Birding
Birding
Geo-Seeking
Geo-Seeking
Hiking
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking
Picnicking
Picnicking
Roller Blading
Roller Blading
Walking and Running
Walking and Running
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Equestrian Trail
Equestrian Trail
Parking
Parking
Pets
Pets
Picnic Pavilion
Picnic Pavilion
Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities

Nature Coast State Trail Photo Gallery

Nature Coast Trail
Nature Coast
Nature Coast Biking
Nature Coast Bridge
Nature Coast Trail
Nature Coast
a red kayak in the water
Nature Coast State Trail
a long roofed train platform next to a paved trail
Learn

History of the Nature Coast State Trail

Visitors to the Nature Coast State Trail can retrace the historic route of the Atlantic Coastline Railroad, traversing 32 miles of Florida’s beautiful Nature Coast Region, and over 100 years of Florida history.
Big Lagoon State Park Trail
Learn

Trails at Florida State Parks

Whether by bicycle, horse, wheelchair, kayak or on your own two feet, trails both within and outside our state parks can lead to a wide variety of adventure and opportunity throughout Florida.

People Make the Parks

a man in uniform stands next to a white truck under trees

Staff Spotlight

Billy Thomas' favorite place to be is out on the Nature Coast State Trail with the bikers, hikers and horseback riders who use it.
a man in a volunteer uniform stands in front of trees

Volunteer Spotlight

Os Patton has always liked being outdoors, as far back as he can remember.
Friends of Manatee Springs Parks

Friends of Manatee Springs Parks

Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. They share one thing in common – passion for parks.

Park Map

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Florida State Parks

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Have Questions?

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(850) 245-2157

Or send an email to:

FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov

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