Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail

Explore old-Florida charm along the 47-mile, well-kept, multi-use, paved Withlacoochee State Trail.

ABOUT US

Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail are a Citizen Support Organization (CSO) dedicated to promoting, supporting and helping to maintain and make improvements for the Withlacoochee State Trail. They accomplish these things by providing public education and outreach programs, holding fundraising events, sale of merchandise and by donating their time and talents to make sure that visitors to the Withlacoochee State Trail have a great experience. Meeting dates are the second Thursday of February, April, September and November.

The Withlacoochee State Trail is a 47-mile long, 12-foot wide, paved multi-use rail trail, which opened for use in 1992. The trail is currently one of the longest Rail Trail in the State of Florida. Horseback riding is available adjacent to the paved trail. The trail extends from just south of Dunnellon, FL at the Hwy. 41 underpass to its southern end at Owensboro Junction Trailhead, which is 6 miles north of Dade City, FL on Hwy. 301. The Withlacoochee State Trail meanders through small towns and through the beautiful Withlacoochee State Forest.

CSO CODE OF ETHICS

Registration is underway for the Fourth Annual Cake by the Lake 5K and One Mile Cakewalk, which will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025 to benefit the Withlacoochee State Trail! Those who register before midnight on September 20, will get the deeply discounted early bird price of just $20!

Once again, we're offering $10 registration for kids up to 12 years old, and $15 registration for teens 13-17. Those 18 and older are considered adults. 17 and under will receive different swag than adults, but it will still be excellent swag and you'll still get a heavy 3" full-color medal, and be eligible to win our special cake plate age group awards, as well as overall awards.

Remember what fun you’ve always had at this race? This one will be better than ever! This is a flat, straight course destined to help you set a new PR!

As usual, no T-shirts, but we’ll have memorable swag you won’t find anywhere else, and everyone gets a heavy, multicolor medal, and of course, Cake by the Lake!

To volunteer to help with this event, either with planning or doing day-of-event tasks, message this page!

To register to run or walk on April 5 - click button:

Last year this organization made a donation to the Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail to sponsor Cycle With LaCoochee. To show our appreciation we would like to let people know about their ride - Jim's Ride.

3rd Annual Jim's Ride - Saturday, April 26
25, 50, 75, 100 miles
31k & 62k
5 nutrition stations along the route
Safety team on site and riding (riders get a wristband w/phone number for the lead safety coordinator)
Free continental breakfast
Free food truck
Last year they contributed $33,700 back into communities through gifts and matching donations
Free Ride T-Shirt and sticker