Cycling in Florida: Rail Trails, Wild Landscapes, and Rides Worth Planning

The Palatka to St. Augustine State Trail is one of Florida's most compelling rail trails, built along a converted railroad corridor that once connected inland Florida to the coast. Rail trails are ideal for beginners and casual riders because the grades are gentle and the surface is predictable. This one rewards you with natural scenery along the way and drops you near St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States, founded in 1565. That history is in the air when you arrive.

Florida has a strong rail-trail conversion heritage, and the Palatka to St. Augustine trail is one of the cleaner examples of how an old railroad right-of-way becomes a usable, peaceful corridor for cyclists. You're not fighting traffic. You're moving through a landscape at your own pace, which changes how you see it. AllTrails documents Florida's ten best paved trails and ten best rail trails, with user reviews and photos that help you set accurate expectations before you go. Checking those reviews before a first ride is always a good idea.

Paved trails across the state draw an active cycling community, and the variety is real. Road biking routes, rail trails, and dedicated paved paths give you options depending on how long you want to ride and how much solitude you're after. If you're planning a trip around cycling, 100floridatrails.com lets you browse the full Florida State Parks trail network by region, which makes it easy to find something close to wherever you're staying.

Rail Trails and Paved Routes Worth Riding

Shark Valley in Everglades National Park has a Tram and Bicycle Road that puts you directly in the landscape. Biking is described by the park itself as one of the best ways to experience the quiet beauty of the area, and that rings true. The road passes through the transition zone where sawgrass prairie gives way toward Florida Bay, and from a bike seat, you can actually feel that shift in the air and the light. You'll likely share the road with herons, turtles, and the occasional alligator sunning on the shoulder.

This is a ride where slow is the right speed. The wildlife is close, the road is flat, and there's no reason to rush. Going early in the morning gives you the best light and the most animal activity before the heat sets in. It's one of those rides that stays with you for a while after you leave.

Monument Lake Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve offers biking alongside hiking and fishing, making it a solid base for a multi-day outdoor trip. Big Cypress sits adjacent to the Everglades and has a different feel, more forested and less open, with the preserve's distinctive cypress domes visible from the trail. If you're planning an overnight trip around cycling, this campground puts you in the middle of it.

Scenic Routes Through Natural Florida

The Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway is a federally recognized route that connects Silver Springs with Ormond Beach through long, undisturbed stretches of natural Florida landscape. It's named for the Florida black bear, and the habitat along the route reflects why that name fits. This is real Florida, the kind that feels far from the coast and the crowds. Cycling through it means moving slowly enough to actually see it.

The byway is suited for road cyclists who want a route with ecological weight. You're passing through bear country, through stretches of forest and scrub that represent some of the state's most intact natural landscape. That context makes the ride feel different from a purely recreational outing. It becomes a reason to pay attention.

For anyone who loves a route with both scenery and meaning, this byway is worth building a trip around. Silver Springs itself has a long history as a Florida attraction, with glass-bottom boat tours dating back to the 1870s, and the surrounding area has a pace that the coasts don't always offer.

Gear Tips for Cycling in Florida