Location: The trail follows the abandoned railbed of the historic Tallahassee-St. Marks Railroad. The trail runs almost due south from Tallahassee to the town of St. Marks, which is at the confluence of the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers.
Trail Length/Surface: 19 miles, 8' wide paved
Directions and Access:
Tallahasse Terminus: The main facility for the Tallahassee-St. Marks Trail is located on S.R. 363, just south of Tallahassee. This facility is 3 miles south of the actual northern terminus. It is advised to use this facility as it is not only MUCH nicer, but also appears to be a safer place to leave your vehicle than the actual northern terminus "facility".
St. Marks Terminus: The trail is next to the "can't miss" Posey's restaurant in St. Marks
Activities: walking, running, bicycling, skating, and horseback riding. This multiple use trail accommodates a varied array of visitors with a wide range of athletic abilities. An adjacent trail is available for horses and their riders. Horseback riding should be confined to the designated equestrian trail or shoulder areas to avoid damaging the smooth bicycling surface. Munson Hills trail for off-road biking can also be accessed from the trail.
Facilities: Restrooms are available at the main trailhead in Tallahassee. Two other access points, one about mid-way and the other closer to St. Marks, offer parking and restrooms.
Hours: Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.
Admission: free
Contact: Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad Trail State Park: 1022 Desoto Park Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Phone: 850-922-6007
Overview
Courtesy of Florida State Park's web site: http://www.floridastateparks.org
Florida's first designated state trail follows the abandoned railbed of the historic Tallahassee-St. Marks Railroad. The trail runs almost due south from Tallahassee to the town of St. Marks, which is at the confluence of the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers.
The Tallahassee-St. Marks Railroad was the first railroad under construction in Florida and the first in the nation to receive a federal land grant. Completed in 1837, the 20-mile line connected the territorial Capital with the Gulf port of St. Marks. Conceived and financed by leading planters and merchants, the railroad transported the prosperous cotton crop of the region for shipment to East Coast markets.
Initially, mules hauled open freight and passenger cars loaded with naval store and timber industry products. The rickety railbed prompted an earlier traveler to describe it as "the worst that has yet been built in the entire world." In the 1850s, the railroad was modernized and used to transport cotton. The Tallahassee-St. Marks railroad was distinguished as Florida's longest operating line, serving for 147 years. It is of rich historical significance as a pioneer enterprise that stimulated the region's commercial development and settlement.
In 1984, the Florida Department of Transportation purchased 16 miles of the corridor to preserve the right-of-way. The recreational trail was constructed and is maintained by the Florida Park Service. Today, people of all ages, abilities and incomes can enjoy using the trail.
