Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail |
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Tallahassee-St. Marks Trail sign
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 Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail
Location in Florida
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| Location | Leon County, Florida, United States |
| Nearest city | Tallahassee, Florida |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
The Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail is a cool outdoor path in Florida. It's built on an old railroad track that used to connect Tallahassee and St. Marks, Florida. This trail is about 16 miles (26 km) long and is part of the Florida State Park system.
The trail goes all the way to where the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers meet. A part of the trail south of US 98 is even part of the famous Florida National Scenic Trail. There's also a paved section that goes about 4 miles (6.4 km) north into Tallahassee.
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Fun Things to Do on the Trail
This trail is perfect for many outdoor activities! You can enjoy bicycling, skating, walking, jogging, and even horseback riding.
Trail Features for Everyone
The trail has two main types of paths. There's a smooth, paved surface that's great for bikes, skates, and walking. Right next to it, there's an unpaved trail that's just for horses. This means everyone can enjoy the trail in their own way!
Where to Start Your Adventure
You can find parking at several spots along the trail. The main parking area is on SR 363/Woodville Hwy., just south of Tallahassee. Other parking spots include J. Lewis Hall Park in Woodville, the Wakulla Station Trailhead in Wakulla County, and a city park at the very end of the trail in St. Marks.
Cool Parks Along the Way
There are some awesome parks and areas right next to the trail:
- The Munson Hills Off-Road Bicycle Trail system is a great place for mountain biking. You can get to it from the main trail parking area. These trails have recently been made even longer, now 21 miles (34 km)!
- J. Lewis Hall Park in Woodville is a lively spot. It often hosts youth baseball games and other fun events.
- The Wakulla Station Trailhead now has a special "adaptable playground." This playground is designed so that children with special needs can also play and have fun.
- At the very end of the trail in St. Marks, you'll find the San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park. It's a cool historical site to explore!
Trail Improvements and Updates
Starting in late 2009, the trail got a big upgrade! It was completely resurfaced and made wider, now 12 feet (3.7 m) across. The southern part of the trail was fixed first, and then the northern part. A brand new trailhead was also built in the city of St. Marks. All these improvements were finished in early 2011, making the trail even better for everyone.
Special Events on the Trail
The trail is sometimes used for exciting events. For example, the yearly Tallahassee Marathon uses the entire paved section within Tallahassee and the northern 6 miles (9.7 km) of the state park part of the trail.
Park Hours
Like most Florida state parks, the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail is open every day of the year, including holidays. You can visit between 8 a.m. and sundown.
