More than 850 miles of trails to explore!
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is inviting the public to get outside and celebrate National Trails Day by exploring some of the trails located on District land.
The American Hiking Society’s 17th Annual National Trails Day is Saturday, June 6. A long-standing celebration of America’s magnificent trail system and its countless supporters and volunteers, National Trails Day is celebrated in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
District staff and volunteers maintain 26 of the District’s 61 properties, while state and local partners maintain the remaining properties. The majority of these properties are part of the statewide system of greenways that link natural areas and open spaces, conserve native landscapes and ecosystems and offer recreational opportunities.
Some of the best opportunities for hiking include:
- Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve
- Halpata Tastanaki Preserve in Marion County
- Starkey Preserve in Pasco County
The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve contains 32 miles of National Scenic Trail that link to state and local greenways in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Pasco and Polk counties. This hiking experience takes you through some wild and beautiful sections of the preserve adjacent to the Withlacoochee River and floodplain.
The Halpata Tastanaki Preserve is 8,300 acres in Marion County bordered by the Withlacoochee River to the south and the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway to the north. The Greenway crosses central Florida from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River and is the state’s premier greenway.
This Greenway trail is a 110-mile corridor that traverses a wide variety of natural habitat. As part of an agreement with the state, portions of the preserve are managed as a part of the Greenway and link to the trails and opportunities on the remainder of the preserve. The remainder of the preserve offers unique hiking opportunities along the river and has historic points of reference.
The Starkey Preserve is 18,000 acres in Pasco County that contains the headwaters of the Anclote and Pithlachascotee (Cotee) rivers as well as the Starkey Wilderness Park. The preserve contains approximately 45 miles of hiking trails. It also adjoins the Suncoast Scenic Trail which is a 42-mile paved trail along the Suncoast Parkway. This route has been designated as one of the few scenic highways in Florida. The combination of trail network within the Preserve, extensive natural habitat and adjacent 42-mile regional trail make this site an important link in the statewide system of greenways and an exceptional hiking experience.
Additionalhiking opportunities include:
- Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park in Charlotte County
- Flatwoods Park, which is part of the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Park in Hillsborough County
- Potts Preserve in Citrus County, which includes portions of the Florida Trail
- Upper Hillsborough, located in Pasco and Polk County and includes portions of the Florida Trail
- Weekiwachee Preserve in Hernando County
The District and its partners have acquired more than 360,000 acres of public conservation lands acquired by the District and its partners to protect Florida’s water resources. Each year more than 2.5 million people visit the District’s public lands, which are open to the public for activities such as hiking, bicycling, hunting, horseback riding, fishing, camping, nature study and picnicking. Many District lands also have facilities that are universally accessible for the mobility-impaired.
Since 1993, National Trails Day has inspired thousands of people to enjoy trails on the same day nationwide, taking part in hikes, bike and horse rides, trail maintenance, paddle trips and other activities.
Founded in 1976, the American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience. To learn more about the American Hiking Society, visit AmericanHiking.org or call (800) 972-8608.
For more information about recreational opportunities available on District land, or to order a free recreation guide, please visit the District’s web site at WaterMatters.org/recreation.