Rail trail · Florida
Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail
Florida's first paved rail-trail: 16 smooth miles from the state capital to the Gulf Coast town of St. Marks on a corridor that carried cotton to textile mills since the 1830s.
Length
16 miles
Surface
Paved
Route
Point to point
Endpoints
Tallahassee (main trailhead at Capital Circle SW) to St. Marks
Season
Year-round; fall through spring is most comfortable; summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms
Plan your ride or walk
The Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail holds a special place in Florida's outdoor history as the first rail-trail in the state's Greenways and Trails System to be paved, and it follows a railroad corridor that began operating in 1836, the oldest in Florida, which ran for 146 years before conversion. The 16-mile paved route connects Florida's capital to the coastal town of St. Marks, traveling under a shady canopy of longleaf pine and hardwood that makes it one of the most pleasant rides in the region year-round. Through the early 1900s, this corridor carried cotton from the plantation belt to ships bound for textile mills in England and New England. At the main Tallahassee trailhead, connections lead to the Munson Hills Mountain Bike Trails in the Apalachicola National Forest. The southern end in St. Marks offers seafood dining and the chance to explore San Marcos de Apalache Historical State Park. The trail is also a designated National Recreation Trail and a segment of the developing Capital City to the Sea Loop corridor.
Getting there
The main northern trailhead is at Capital Circle SW in Tallahassee, about 4 miles from the capitol building. A second trailhead is available at Wakulla Station in Crawfordville, roughly midway. The southern terminus is in downtown St. Marks, about 20 miles south of Tallahassee via US 319 and SR 363. Parking is free at all trailheads.
Official trail information
Confirm current conditions, closures, and any required trail pass on the managing agency’s page.
Florida State Parks: Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State TrailWhat to bring
Gear keyed to a long, flat trail day: footwear, hydration, sun protection, and a pack sized for the distance.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Tallahassee-St. Marks State Trail?
The paved trail runs 16 miles one way from Tallahassee to the coastal town of St. Marks, making a 32-mile out-and-back. Most riders take about 2 to 3 hours each way at a comfortable pace.
Why is this trail historically significant?
The Tallahassee-St. Marks railroad began operation in 1836, making it one of the oldest railroad corridors ever converted to a trail. It operated for 146 years until 1983 and is the first rail-trail in Florida's state greenways system to be paved. It is now also a designated National Recreation Trail.
Is there an admission fee?
No. The trail is free to use and open 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year. There is no trail pass required for cyclists, unlike some other Florida and Wisconsin state trails.
What is at the St. Marks end of the trail?
The town of St. Marks welcomes trail users with seafood restaurants, fishing access, and San Marcos de Apalache Historical State Park, a colonial-era fort site at the confluence of the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers. It is a natural lunch or turnaround stop.
More Florida trails
Looking for parks instead? Browse state parks by state.