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Reported: June 2021

Coastal Anclote Trail... West Florida

Connecting Three Parks in Pasco County

Located in Holiday, FL (just north of Tarpon Springs), the Coastal Anclote Trail runs 3 miles from Strauber Memorial Hwy. to the Pinellas County Line at Mandarin Drive, plus connectors to two Gulf parks for a total of 4.5 miles. The trail is a nice community asset, linking three parks and three schools. This paved trail is an easy ride with mixed shade and sun, some sections run roadside. Directional and informational signs plus benches are located regularly along the way, with restrooms and other facilities at the connecting parks. Not yet a recreational biking destination for those outside the area (the parks are the highlights), eventual plans are to link to the Pinellas Trail via a future Elfers Spur Trail extension. (Map link and photos below.)

Map link - Coastal Anclote Trail

Location: Pasco County (Holiday, FL)
End Points: Strauber Memorial Hwy. (at Baillies Bluff Rd.) to Mandarin Dr. (at Anclote Blvd.)
Mileage: 4.5 miles (future link to Pinellas Trail)
Surface: Asphalt, 12 ft. wide
Nearby points of interest: Key Vista Nature Park, Anclote Gulf Park, Anclote River Park, North Anclote River Nature Park

Bike Shops/Rentals: N/A

 Page Summary:

1. Biking the Coastal Anclote Trail - north to south
   - Start at Strauber Hwy. to Anclote Gulf Park Connector
   - Anclote Gulf Park Connector to Anclote River Park Connector
   - Anclote River Park Connector to Trail End
2. Anclote Gulf Park and Connector
3. Anclote River Park and Connector
4. Key Vista Nature Park - for Hikers
5. More Information and Resources

Biking the Coastal Anclote Trail (from North to South, 3 miles one-way)

Start at Strauber Hwy. to Anclote Gulf Park Connector (0.9 mile)

The trail starts at Strauber Memorial Hwy and runs mostly parallel to Baillies Bluff Road, with little shade, past Key Vista Nature Park. After crossing Baillies Bluff, it enters a natural area with shaded sections.

Anclote Gulf Park Connector to Anclote River Park Connector (3/4 mile)

Here the trail mostly unshaded. It passes the Duke Energy Power Plant on the right before arriving at the Anclote River Park connector.

Anclote River Park Connector to Trail End (1.4 miles)

The trail circles around Anclote High School, then meets Sweetheart Drive and continues to trail end roadside with no shade. It runs through a residential area, past Paul R. Smith Middle School and Gulfside Elementary School. The final segment runs roadside along Anclote Blvd. to the Pinellas County Line at Mandarin Dr. At this point the future Elfers Spur Trail Extension is planned, creating a link to the Pinellas Trail.

Anclote Gulf Park and Connector (0.5 mile one-way)

Connector to Anclote Gulf Park

The connector is mostly shaded.. A bench is provided along the way. Baillies Bluff Rd. makes several turns, so the connector crosses again. From here, it runs to the park including the only "hill" along the trail.

Connector to Anclote Gulf Park

 

 

Crossing Baillie's Bluff Rd.

Anclote Gulf Park

Anclote Gulf Park includes parking, restrooms, picnic facilities, playground, a fishing pier, canoe/kayak launch, and dog park. The boardwalk connects to Key Vista Nature Park. No fee. Part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

To park from connector

Parking

Picnic

Playground

To pier

 

 

Gulf view

Anclote River Park and Connector (1 mile one-way)

Connector to Anclote River Park

The connector is mixed sun and shade. It passes the Duke Energy power plant then runs roadside along Baillies Bluff Road, crossing the road yet again before arriving at Anclote River Park.

 

Power plant

Along Baillies Bluff Road

Cross the road

Along Baillies Bluff

Into park

Anclote River Park

Anclote River Park is a gem, popular with locals. Parking, restrooms, picnic, playground, 2 boat ramps, kayak/canoe access, 300' swimming area, Indian mound, fishing. No park fee, but boat launch fee applies. Part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

To parking

Anclote River Park

Picnic

Beach

 

Boat ramps

 

Indian mound

Key Vista Nature Park - for Hikers

Key Vista Nature Park

Key Vista Nature Park has parking, restrooms, picnic tables, observation tower with Gulf views, 1.5 miles of hiking trails, and 1,600 feet of Gulf frontage. The trails are well shaded, one leads to a boardwalk that connects to Anclote Gulf Park. Part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, notable among endangered species here is a pair of nesting bald eagles. The park name comes from its views of Anclote Key, 4 miles off the coast. No fee.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:

Pinellas Trail
West FL Region - More trails plus Regional Overview map

Related Resources:

Pasco County:
   Coastal Anclote Trail Project
   Key Vista Nature Park
   Anclote Gulf Park
   Anclote River Park
   Parks, Preserves, and Trails