Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail, Inc.

05/28/2026

Flashback Thursday article

"This is crazy," said McCann, pleased just to be out and hiking on a pretty morning. "I'm doing something I love to do and they pay me for it. Can you believe that?" This week we met with Janice McCann to do a video interview about her husband Jim McCann, the first CSO President for the Withlacooche...

05/21/2026

Discover the New Face
of the Withlacoochee State Trail

You lace up your expensive running shoes, chosen with care and justified by dreams of future adventures, or mount your carefully restored steel-frame bike, marked by your effort and longing for freedom. You seek a place where every stride or pedal stroke eases worry, and the wind soothes your mind.

On the Withlacoochee State Trail in west central Florida, thousands find peace. Animals find respite here as part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Here, distance restores your spirit, and aspirations soar in a retreat where hearts heal.

For the volunteers of the Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail, every act of service and each hour spent, rain or shine, is a gift of love and legacy. Our volunteers are not just stewards. We are the heart of the trail, ensuring every visitor experiences the peace, joy, and connection it offers. Through dedicated maintenance and fundraising, we help the Withlacoochee State Trail remain beautiful and treasured.

To invite more volunteers, raise essential funds, and strengthen the heart of our organization, we have launched a new website. There, you are welcome to join as a friend, keep up with trail news, become a member, offer your time, or support our mission with a donation.

We warmly invite you to visit WithlacoocheeStateTrail.com
to join our efforts and stay connected with news from the trail. The address is easy to remember and perfect for sharing with friends who value peace and adventure.

We are a community of trail stewards dedicated to the social enjoyment and improvement of Florida's premier paved rail trail, 2026 Top 10 BEST Recreational Trail in the USA for 3 years running. Together, we preserve and maintain the trail and protect the natural canopy, shading every hiker, cyclist,...

05/20/2026

The roof on the caboose is underway. And we got a visitor today! Janice McCann, wife of the first Park Ranger and first President of the Rails to Trails Withlacoochee, Jim McCann.

05/15/2026

The Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail, Inc. have ordered a portable toilet that has been installed at Ridge Mano Trailhead.

04/30/2026

The Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail, Inc. recently had their Annual Membership Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon with award presentations for outstanding service. A good time was had by all!

Presented by Denny and Linda Reiland, and Tom Craig, The Gerald C. Clark Award recognizing Lifetime Achievement for outstanding volunteer contributions for among many other things, their 5+ years work on the Bluebird house maintenance and leaf blowing of the entire 47-mile trail, were presented to Dale & Bob Moore
Laura & Frank Moore.

Max Schulman presented a Friends Lifetime of Volunteerism shadow box Award to Heather Nagy for her tireless work on the Cake By The Lake 5K & Cakewalk event, and her volunteer work as she has retired from the Park Service after many years as a volunteer for the Florida Parks Service.

Presented by Darby W. White, our Ft. Cooper Park Ranger and Volunteer Coordinator, NEW this year, for outstanding contributions for their restoration work on our 100-year-old Magor Company cupola caboose at the Inverness Trailhead there were two recipients: Steve McCullough & Jim Hinkle our volunteers who have helped produce the finest quality craftsmanship, the results of which, may be seen in the restored caboose along the trail.
Steve took on the monumental task of restoring all of the windows. He removed the original glass from the old frames, then using the old heartwood pine removed from the exterior of the caboose, cut and milled the old wood using it to construct ‘new’ working windows and frames that will last for generations to come.

In recognition of their commitment measured by their hours of volunteer work the following got recognition pins, awarded yearly for from 100 hours to 1000+ hours:
Laura & Frank Moore
Dale & Bob Moore
Sandy & Regis Hampton
Tammy & Devon Ellington
Linda & Denny Reiland
Steve McCullough
Jim Hinkle
Holly Alexander
Max Schulman
Tom Craig

Thank you all of our honorees for your outstanding spirit and contribution to the betterment of the trail experience for all to enjoy.
Remember that The Florida Park Service also recognizes outstanding volunteer service at their Annual District Volunteer Days.
All Park Service Volunteers are given Free entry passes*
• 50-hours Volunteer ID - free entry to your park & 6 additional state parks
• 250-hours – Special Volunteer Annual Pass
*some restrictions apply of volunteer service.
A rewarding reason to Join us and become a volunteer for the Withlacoochee State Trail.
Join in the fun of working with a team of volunteers who do the good work for the trail and its users!
For more information click the link below:
https://volunteers.floridastateparks.org/download/INGO8H05FE0T8CFQ

04/28/2026

Travel & Leisure Magazine article about many things Citrus, including the Withlacoochee State Trail!

There are plenty of reasons to visit Inverness, Florida, including airboat tours to see alligators and birds, one of the state's longest paved rail-trails, and an Elvis Presley connection.

04/27/2026

We did it again! Top 10 Recreational Trails in the USA for the 3rd year in a row!

The Withlacoochee State Trail has once again earned national recognition, landing at No. 7 in the USA Today 2026 Best Outdoor Trail Readers’ Choice Awards.

04/22/2026

04/16/2026

Excellent article by Florida Rambler about our trail.

This 46-mile paved Withlacoochee State Trail in Central Florida is a smooth, safe ride. What makes it special is Old Florida scenery, parks & towns to explore.

04/15/2026

Big News! The Withlacoochee State Trail
has, for the 3rd year in a row, again been recognized in the Top 10BEST list of the nation’s premier outdoor destinations, earning the #7 in USA Today’s 2026 10BEST Recreational Trail Readers’ Choice Awards.

After being ranked #2 last year, we're thrilled to be in the TOP 10 NATIONWIDE, especially with so many new amazing trails in this year's competition.

Congrats to all the incredible trails recognized, and a huge THANK YOU to our supporters, riders, walkers, and voters who make this trail so special.

We'll keep working to make every mile even better. See you on the trail!