Dunnellon Trail... Florida

2.5 Mile Scenic Bike Trail with River Views

The Dunnellon Trail runs on a former railbed from Bridges Road in Dunnellon, 2.5 miles along the scenic Rainbow River and across a bridge over the Withlacoochee River to CR 39/US 41 in Citrus Springs. Parking is available at three trailheads (see below). The trail also is part of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. Eventually, it will link to the Withlacoochee State Trail (currently, via a street route) and other trails in the planned statewide network. (Map link and photos below.)

Map link - Dunnellon Trail

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Location: Marion and Citrus Counties
End Points: Bridges Rd. (Dunnellon), to US 41/CR 39 (Citrus Springs)
Mileage: 2.5 miles
Surface: 12 ft., paved
Nearby points of interest: Rainbow River and Rainbow Springs State Park

Bike Shops/Rentals:
Blue Run Bikes (Dunnellon; sales, service)

Biking on Dunnellon Trail

Bridges Road Trailhead to Blue Run of Dunnellon Park - Located on Bridges Road (down the dirt road, just past the playing fields) in Dunnellon, parking and picnic only. The easy ride is through mixed sun and shade. A 1/4 mile path links to the Blue Run of Dunnellon Park trailhead.

Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, Dunnellon Trail

Bridges Road trailhead

Leaving trailhead

Along the trail

Crossing at San Jose Blvd. - the only crossroad

Benches are located along the trail

At link to Blue Run Trailhead

Blue Run of Dunnellon Park - Off CR484 in Dunnellon. A pleasant stop with parking, porta-potties and nature trails. Popular along the Rainbow River as a kayak launch and tuber exit.

Path to the park

Approaching park

Entering park

Boardwalk to river

Parking

Nature trails

Blue Run of Dunnellon Park to Withlacoochee River Bridge - Here is a pleasant and shaded ride along the Rainbow River with scenic views. Then, the Withlacoochee River Bridge seems to appear out of nowhere, with great river views from several observation decks. Historic signs tell how abandoned route of the Cross Florida Barge Canal became the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, and about the old railroad line once transporting phosphate that is now the Dunnellon Trail.

Back on the trail

Rainbow River

Approaching Withlacoochee River Bridge

Crossing the bridge

Observation decks

River from observation deck

Leaving the bridge

Withlacoochee River Bridge to US 41 Trailhead - Mixed shade and sun continues to the trailhead at CR 39 just off US 41 in Citrus Springs. Parking, picnic, porta-pottie. The trail ends another .2 miles at CR39/US 41 and the road route to the Withlacoochee State Trail.