Withlacoochee State Trail – Gulf Junction Trailhead

Local Places, Local Faces

Terry, Maggie and I love being outdoors and doing all those fun activities available to us all year long in Citrus County, but between the Al-La-Palooza, the JesAndy Jubilee, and the crazy weather we’ve had so far this year, we haven’t had much time to get out there. Finally this past weekend we had a free day and decent weather!

So we headed to the Withlacoochee State Trail for some bike riding. In the next few months, I want to travel the entire length of the trail–all 46 miles–broken up into several manageable lengths. This ride started on the very northern section of the trail, the Gulf Junction Trailhead, just south of Dunnellon. Our plan was to ride five miles south or until we reached the next trailhead and then ride back. A ten mile round trip seemed reasonable.

While we have used the trail many times over the last several years, we always start in Inverness so I didn’t know what to expect at this trailhead. I was relieved to see that there was a restroom. And like the trailhead in Inverness, there was a picnic pavilion and benches.

Withlacoochee State Trail - Gulf Junction Trailhead
Since this is considered the beginning of the Withlacoochee State Trail, bluebird box number one is there. We saw several bluebirds making use of the boxes.

There were already a few cars parked and people either cooling down or getting ready to start out. They all made a fuss over Maggie which made the pooch very happy. Most of Maggie’s trail experience is from a bike basket since she’s old and has short legs, but she loves getting down and running or walking for short spurts.  Her very favorite thing is definitely all the unusual smells.

Withlacoochee State Trail - Gulf Junction Trailhead

The trail was relatively flat–just a few inclines and only a few roads to cross over. But I was happy to come across the South Citrus Springs trailhead a little short of our 5 mile goal.I was ready to turn around!

I recently read about an attempt to connect several bike trails and create a continuous 200 mile bike trail from St. Petersburg to Titusville. While I don’t think I want to cover that much distance, I would like to do the “Rails to Trails” 19th annual bike ride on the Withalcoochee Trail in October this year. By then I should have visited all of the trail heads and be ready to ride!

Withlacoochee State Trail - Gulf Junction Trailhead
Another trail user asked if we wanted our pictures taken. I kind of said no cause I looked pretty bad, but Terry and he thought that was funny.

If you see us on the trail, stop and say hi! We’d love to meet you!

3 thoughts on “Withlacoochee State Trail – Gulf Junction Trailhead”

  1. Terry an excellent blog, photos, and info on this trail. I live in Sarasota and my website Trail View Mount documents Florida Paved Trails. I love biking but also enjoy getting lots of photos on the trails. Question. Is the Gulf Junction and South Citrus Springs Trailheads in a safe area? I read a blog that said the Trilby trailhead of this trail was not in a good area. And I saw for myself recently and discovered that to be true. Thanks for your help. Keep biking and stay safe.

    Reply
    • Thanks for the info. The Gulf Junction and South Citrus Trailheads were quite safe. I haven’t been to the Trilby trailhead yet. Probably will make it there next month.

      Reply

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