Withlacoochee State Trail by RV: Trailheads, Miles, Bikes

The Withlacoochee State Trail is a 47-mile paved rail-trail that runs from Citrus Springs south through Inverness, Floral City and Ridge Manor to a junction near Dade City, with five main trailheads that offer parking and restrooms. If you are coming by RV, the easiest plan is to leave the trailer set up at a nearby campground and drive your own car or pickup to the trailhead that matches the miles you want to ride.

This guide is for the rider who already knows they want a few days of flat, shaded pavement and wants to know where to park, how far each stretch runs, where to rent bikes, and how a delivered trailer fits into the weekend. Everything below comes from Florida State Parks, the state trail management plan, Hernando County tourism, the City of Inverness and the bike shops' own pages.

Where does the Withlacoochee State Trail start and end?

The trail starts at the Gulf Junction trailhead in Citrus Springs and ends at the Owensboro Junction trailhead on U.S. Highway 301 near Dade City, following an old railroad bed. Florida State Parks lists it as open from 8 a.m. until sundown every day of the year, with no entry fee.

Which trailheads have the most room to park?

Ridge Manor and South Citrus Springs have the biggest lots, and Florida State Parks names Ridge Manor, Citrus Springs and Gulf Junction as the lots that can fit a vehicle pulling a horse trailer. None of the official pages mention RV parking, and the trail closes at sundown, so treat trailheads as day parking for your tow vehicle or car, not a place to unhitch.

Parking counts come from the state's trail management plan and can change with improvements, so check the official park page before you go.

How many miles are there between the main stops?

Gulf Junction to Inverness is about 16 miles, Inverness to Floral City is about 4 more, and Inverness to the Owensboro end is about 30 miles. Mile markers are posted along the trail, but we could not confirm marker numbers for each trailhead from an official source, so the figures below are the distances the state and the City of Inverness publish.

A relaxed first day for most families is an out-and-back from Inverness to Floral City, about 8 miles total, with restrooms at both ends and bike shops just off the trail in Floral City. Stronger riders can start at Ridge Manor and ride north toward Floral City, then turn around.

How does the Good Neighbor Trail connect Brooksville to the state trail?

The Good Neighbor Trail is a paved path of roughly 10 miles that runs from the Russell Street Park trailhead in downtown Brooksville east to the Withlacoochee State Trail. The City of Inverness places the junction near the Croom Rital Road mountain bike trail parking, which puts it on the Hernando County stretch of the main trail.

Hernando County tourism does not list parking details for Russell Street Park, so if you are arriving with a pickup, plan to confirm parking on the day or start at Ridge Manor instead.

Where can you rent a bike near the trail?

You can rent bikes in Inverness close to the trailhead and from a Brooksville e-bike company that delivers. Prices are not posted on these pages, so call or book online for rates.

If you bring your own bikes, ask us before you book whether there is a good way to carry them on or in the trailer you choose.

Where should you set up the trailer while you ride?

The closest public campgrounds to the Hernando County stretch are in the Silver Lake Recreation Complex of Withlacoochee State Forest, which the Florida Forest Service describes as having convenient access to the Withlacoochee State Trail. The complex sits at 31475 Silver Lake Rd., Brooksville, and its brochure says camping reservations are required.

Silver Lake and Cypress Glen are the two RV-friendly campgrounds there; hookups, site lengths and fees differ, so compare them before you reserve. If you would rather ride the Citrus County end, look at RV stays around Inverness; if you want a private RV park off I-75 east of the forest, our Bushnell RV rental page covers parks there, about 24 miles from Brooksville.

We offer delivery and setup at campgrounds, but the fee, which units can go, and timing have to be confirmed with our team, and the campground must accept a delivered rental. Once the trailer is set up, you only need your own car to reach the trailhead.

Which of our trailers works best for a trail weekend?

A couple or small family riding for two or three days does well in a lighter trailer with room to stash bags and wet gear. Our 2023 Jayco Jay Feather sleeps 6 and runs $126 a night, enough room for four riders without crowding a forest campsite. If you want the newest unit in the fleet, the 2025 Jayco Jay Flight SLX also sleeps 6, at $135 a night.

Bringing two families or a cycling club? The 2022 Keystone Springdale sleeps 8 and, at $120 a night, is the lowest nightly rate we have. Compare options on our small travel trailer page or the large bunkhouse travel trailer page.

The nightly figure is only part of a trip total, so request an itemized quote and check the current RV rental prices before you plan the budget.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a fee to ride the Withlacoochee State Trail?

No. Florida State Parks lists no fee for the trail, which is open from 8 a.m. until sundown every day.

Which Withlacoochee State Trail trailhead is in Hernando County?

Ridge Manor, at 6410 Croom Rital Road, is the main Hernando County trailhead, with 50 parking spaces, a restroom and room for a vehicle with a horse trailer.

Can I ride from downtown Brooksville to the Withlacoochee State Trail?

Yes. The Good Neighbor Trail runs about 10 paved miles from Russell Street Park in Brooksville east to the state trail near the Croom Rital Road mountain bike parking.

Can I park a travel trailer overnight at a trailhead?

No official page allows it, and the trail closes at sundown. Set the trailer up at a campground and drive a car or pickup to the trailhead.

Are there campgrounds near the trail in Hernando County?

Yes. The Florida Forest Service says the Silver Lake Recreation Complex on Silver Lake Road in Brooksville has convenient access to the trail, and reservations are required.

Can I rent an e-bike near Brooksville?

Yes. Croom Hill Bike Rentals and E Cycle Adventures both rent e-bikes in Brooksville, and Croom Hill offers delivery and pickup with a reservation.

Ready to plan your trail weekend?

Tell us your campground, your dates and how many riders are coming, and we will check which trailer fits and whether delivery works there. To get started, contact our Manager and the Brooksville RV Rentals Team. You can also View available RVs and pick your dates.

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