History
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Effective July 1, 2024: Contractors for Florida Forest Service will begin removing vegetation on the easement right-way on the Nature Coast State Trail in Gilchrist County. During the work, sections of the trail will be closed. For more information about closures, contact Ludie.Bond@FDACS.gov or 352.258.6084.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Effective June 26, 2024: New power poles will soon be delivered and installed along portions of the Nature Coast State Trail from July through September. Sections of the trail will close temporarily during this process. Please adhere to all posted signage and instruction from park staff.
The Nature Coast State Trail provides an excellent opportunity to experience the Sunshine State's natural North Florida.
In the early 1900s, trains were replacing the steamship as the freight and passenger carrier throughout the Suwannee River Valley.
Today, visitors can retrace this 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.