Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail
Length
20 miles
Status
Complete
Trail Network
Capital City to the Sea Loop
Wind: 4mph NNW
Humidity: 68%
Pressure: 30.39"Hg
UV index: 1
45°F
48°F
50°F
50°F
64°F / 39°F
66°F / 48°F
70°F / 50°F
73°F / 52°F
Phone: 727-582-2100
A paved, grade-separated 20-mile trail from Tallahassee, FL to St. Marks, FL. Although the northern terminus of the trail is near Lake Elberta, because of parking difficulties, many riders park and start at the Munson Hill trailhead on Woodville Highway, approximately 4.5 miles south of the northern terminus and just south of the Woodville Highway-Capital Circle SE intersection. Additionally, some riders starting at this trailhead go south, skipping the northern 4.5-mile northern section altogether.
The Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail runs 20.5 miles one-way from Florida’s capital city to the coastal community of St. Marks. Through the early 1900s, this historic railroad corridor was used to carry cotton from the plantation belt to the coast for shipment to textile mills in England and New England. Officially part of the Florida Greenways and Trails System, this state trail has also been designated as a National Recreational Trail.
It was the first rail-trail in the Florida system of greenways and trails to be paved, providing a scenic experience for running, walking, bicycling, and skating. Horseback riding is available on an adjacent unpaved trail. Here outdoor enthusiasts can hike a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail, which joins the rail trail at U.S. Highway 98 and continues south.
At the main trailhead in Tallahassee, there is access to the Munson Hills/Twilight Mountain Bike Trails in the Apalachicola National Forest. At the southern terminus of the trail, the coastal City of St. Marks welcomes trail users to enjoy seafood dining, fishing, and entertainment and learn about the history of the area at San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park.
The Tallahassee-St. Marks State Trail is a completed section of the developing, 120-mile Capital City to the Sea Loop corridor and is a destination along the Big Bend Scenic Highway.
Jump on the trail at any of the trailheads spread out along the trail. Mileage markers provide distance information, and the trail corridor is lined with trees providing plenty of shade. Restroom facilities are located at intervals along the trail. At the Wakulla Station Trailhead, there are picnic pavilions and the barrier-free Felburn Foundation Boundless Playground, designed to allow children of all abilities to learn and play freely together. For more information on the St. Marks Trail, contact the Florida Division of Parks office at 850.922.600.