Experiences & Amenities

Bicycling is popular on all paved multi-use trails, campground loops and natural surface trails along the Cross Florida Greenway.

Visit the webpage for each section of the Cross Florida Greenway to learn more.

• Helmets are recommended for all cyclists on our trails. Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.

Grab your binoculars and your life list. Birding on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway is a treat for experienced birders and beginners. The birds you’ll see and/or hear will vary depending how close you are to water. On the western end of the greenway near the Gulf of Mexico (Withlacoochee Bay Trail), you see lots of wading birds, pelicans, osprey and even bald eagles.

• Both the Felburn Park and Inglis Dam and Island Recreation Area segments are part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail in Citrus County. Look for great blue herons, little blue herons, bald eagles, and various other wading birds and waterfowl.
• Look for hawks and other raptors, wild turkey, sparrows and wrens near the Ross Prairie Trailhead and Campground and the Shangri-La Trailhead and Campground. As you approach the Land Bridge Trailhead, keep an eye out for the Florida scrub-jay, a friendly species found only in Florida.
• Quail are commonly seen near the Baseline Road Trailhead.
• As you near the Ocklawaha River and the Eureka West Recreation Area and the Kenwood Recreation Area, you’ll see wading birds, waterfowl and osprey again.
• Rodman Campground and the Buckman Lock-St. Johns Loop North & South are on the eastern end of the greenway. Here, you’ll see wild turkey, hawks, wrens and sparrows. The reservoir and the St. Johns River are nearby so you’ll see lots of wading birds.

Boating is popular along the Cross Florida Greenway. Boat ramps are provided in various locations and the fishing is always good.

• Withlacoochee Bay Trail: Boating is popular in the Cross Florida Barge Canal from Inglis Lock to the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, you can enjoy boating on 1.5 miles of the Withlacoochee River below the Inglis Main Dam.
• From the Inglis Dam and Island Recreation Area, boating on Lake Rousseau is available on the upstream side of the Inglis Dam. Numerous underwater obstructions (submerged stumps) are located throughout Lake Rousseau. Navigating and staying within the marked navigation channels is strongly recommended.
• Boating on the Withlacoochee River and Cross Florida Barge Canal is available below the Inglis Dam/Spillway. This area is tidally influenced and affected by discharges of water from the Inglis Dam/Spillway. There are submerged rocky areas within the Withlacoochee River that boat operators should be aware of dependent upon tides and spillway discharges.
• Eureka West Recreation Area, Kenwood Recreation Area, Rodman Recreation Area and the Rodman Campground provides boating access to the Ocklawaha River and the 9,000-acre Rodman Reservoir. Numerous underwater obstructions (submerged stumps and floating logs) are located throughout Rodman Reservoir. Navigating and staying within the marked navigation channels is strongly recommended.

There are four full-facility campgrounds along the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. Each campground provides sites appropriate for RVers or tent campers. Some campsites are appropriate for equestrians.

See more information for Ross Prairie Trailhead and Campground, Shangri-La Trailhead and Campground, Santos Trailhead and Campground and the Rodman Campground.

• Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance.
• For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.

Bring your horses camping with you. See more information for the Ross Prairie Trailhead and Campground, Shangri-La Trailhead and Campground and the Buckman Lock-St. Johns Loop North & South Campground.

• Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance.
• For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.

There are 12 sites for primitive camping available at the Buckman Lock-St. Johns Loop North & South located at the south side of Buckman Lock off the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch Road. 

There is access to more than 7 miles of multi-use natural surface trails between this area, the St. Johns River floodplain and west to Rodman Campground. High tie posts are located at each site for campers to secure horses. These sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

There are 12 sites for primitive camping available at the Buckman Lock-St. Johns Loop North & South located at the south side of Buckman Lock off the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch Road. 

There is access to more than 7 miles of multi-use natural surface trails between this area, the St. Johns River floodplain and west to Rodman Campground. These sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Withlacoochee Bay Trail: There is access to salt and freshwater fishing along the barge canal multi-use platforms or the Withlacoochee River channel below Inglis Dam.
• Felburn Park: Saltwater fishing is available from the shoreline of the Cross Florida Barge Canal, and freshwater species can be caught within the 40-acre Phil’s Lake.
• Inglis Bypass Recreation Area: Species of both fresh and salt water fishes can be caught on the downstream side of the Inglis Bypass Spillway, which is connected to the Lower Withlacoochee River and the Gulf of Mexico. Possible species include snook and tarpon.
• Inglis Dam and Island Recreation Area: Fishing is available from the shoreline pavilions on the upstream/freshwater Lake Rousseau side of the Inglis Dam or the downstream/brackish side of the dam/spillway.
• From the Inglis Lock Recreation Area, you’ll find bank fishing for freshwater species along the Inglis Bypass Canal and shoreline of Lake Rousseau on the upstream (east) side of the Inglis Lock. Species typically caught include bream, bass and catfish.
• Freshwater fishing in the Ocklawaha River and Rodman Reservoir is accessible at Eureka West Recreation Area. An accessible floating fishing platform for non-boaters is available here as well.
• The 9,000-acre Rodman Reservoir is perennially ranked in the Top 10 trophy largemouth bass destinations in Florida by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It is also known for excellent bream fishing including speckled perch, bluegill and warmouth as well as catfish. You can gain access from the Kenwood Recreation Area, the Rodman Recreation Area or the Rodman Campground.
• All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.
• A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult.

The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land-use ethics should be followed.

• Operation Recreation GeoTour.

• Numerous geocaches have been placed all along the Cross Florida Greenway. Locations are available via the various geocaching websites available online.

Hiking is popular on each segment of the Cross Florida Greenway. Visit the webpage for each section of the Cross Florida Greenway to learn more. Expect paved paths, mowed grass trails and natural surface trails.

From the Dunnellon Trail, you’ll enjoy a scenic walk on approximately 2.4 miles of paved multi-use trail over the Withlacoochee River and along the Rainbow River.

Portions of the Florida National Scenic Trail pass through or near many sections of the Cross Florida Greenway.

• Maps are available from the Florida Trail Association. These trails are considered moderate in difficulty.

Equestrians enjoy riding along the Cross Florida Greenway.  

Visit the webpage for each section of the Cross Florida Greenway to learn about equestrian trails and facilities for enjoying a day on horseback.

From the Withlacoochee Bay Trail, equestrians can access the Dixon Hammock stabilized tram trails at the trailhead located 2.3 miles west of U.S. 19 off the limerock road that parallels the paved trail.

From the Inglis Dam and Island Recreation Area, equestrians can enjoy the 7.6 miles of multi-use natural surface trails available on Inglis Island. Access to the island for equine trailer parking can be obtained by calling the Greenway Inglis Lock office 352-447-1720 in advance or the Greenway Ocala office at 352-758-1000.

The Santos area also has an equestrian staging area located just west of U.S. 441 adjacent to the Santos Trailhead and Campground. This trailhead provides access to the greenway equine trails that run westward to the Pruitt Trailhead near Dunnellon. More than 79 miles of equestrian trails on the greenway can be ridden from Santos westward.

From the Santos Trailhead and Campground, 14 miles of equestrian trails are located between State Road 200 and County Road 484. The trails meander through upland sandhill communities as well as the 1930s Depression era historic sea-level Cross Florida Ship Canal diggings to the east of Ross Prairie. There is a equine trailhead with a horse wash-down facility.

The Shangri-La Trailhead and Campground segment of the greenway is best known for its equestrian trails with 10.6 miles available in this area, including historic 1930s-era sea level ship canal diggings done mostly by hand. The terrain is rolling and sandy with beautiful scenery and wildlife.

The Land Bridge Trailhead provides access to numerous miles of upland equine trails, including access to the first of its kind in the nation I-75 Land Bridge that provides connectivity for trail users and wildlife on the greenway across the interstate. Cactus Jack’s provides equestrian trail rides.

Buckman Lock-St. Johns Loop North & South: There is access to 7 miles of multi-use natural surface trails between the St. Johns Loop South, the St. Johns River floodplain and westward to Rodman Campground.

Mountain biking is popular on all the paved multi-use trails, campground loops and natural surface trails along the Cross Florida Greenway. Single-track trails from the Ross Prairie Trailhead and Campground, the Shangri-La Trailhead and Campground and the Land Bridge Trailhead lead to the internationally acclaimed 63.4-mile east/west mountain bike trail network including Santos Trailhead and Campground.

This is the epicenter of the extensive and diverse single-track trails that were designated as a Bronze Ride Center by the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) for its trail offerings to riders of all abilities and levels. The Ocala Mountain Biking Association organizes an annual Fat Tire Festival in the area.

Visit the webpage for each section of the Cross Florida Greenway to learn more.

• Helmets are recommended for all cyclists on our trails. Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.

Withlacoochee Bay Trail: A canoe/kayak launch is available at the westernmost parking area located 4.5 miles west of U.S. 19 at the end of the limerock road that runs parallel to the paved multi-use trail. The launch is located off the southwest corner of the parking area just west of the multi-use platform along the marsh frontage. This area is shallow and tidally influenced and water levels can vary up and down by several feet daily dependent upon tides and changing weather conditions. Paddlers are urged to take precautions to avoid getting stranded by the tide.

From the Rodman Recreation Area, canoeing and kayaking is available on the 8 miles of lower Ocklawaha River between the downstream side of the Kirkpatrick (Rodman) Dam and the St. Johns River.

Withlacoochee Bay Trail: Paddlers are able to access the salt marsh and barrier islands areas south and west of the paved trail and barge canal. Paddlers are advised to be aware of motorized boat traffic within the canal and the potential for the wakes they generate. This area is shallow and tidally influenced and water levels can vary up and down by several feet daily dependent upon tides and changing weather conditions. Paddlers are urged to take precautions to avoid getting stranded by the tide.

Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy. Picnic tables and pavilions are provided at most trail heads. Or you can spread your blanket on the ground and enjoy a grassy spot. 

Visit the webpage for each section of the Cross Florida Greenway to learn more.

Inline skating is popular on all the paved multi-use trails.

Visit the webpage for each section of the greenway to learn more.

Hiking is popular on each segment of the Cross Florida Greenway. Visit the webpage for each section of the Cross Florida Greenway to learn more. Expect paved paths, mowed grass trails and natural surface trails.

From the Dunnellon Trail, you’ll enjoy a scenic walk on 2.4 miles of paved multi-use trail over the Withlacoochee River and along the Rainbow River.

Portions of the Florida National Scenic Trail pass through or near many sections of the Cross Florida Greenway.

• Maps are available from the Florida Trail Association. These trails are considered moderate in difficulty.

Different species of birds, mammals and reptiles are seen along the Cross Florida Greenway.

Look for wading birds, such as great blue heron and egrets, plus osprey, bald eagles, wild turkey, Florida scrub-jay and various songbirds. At certain parts of greenway, expect to see white-tailed deer, bobcat, fox, Sherman’s fox squirrel and river otter.

You may see venomous and non-venomous snakes, gopher tortoise and American alligators. Along the Buckman Lock-St. Johns Loop North & South, look for manatees during the winter.

Visit the webpage for each section of the Cross Florida Greenway to learn more.