Photo via Google Places
About This Spot
This is a paved Greenway trail with covered fishing platforms along the old barge canal out to the Gulf — not a traditional walk-out fishing pier. Here’s what to expect.
Withlacoochee Bay Trail:
The Withlacoochee Bay Trail isn’t a classic pier — it’s a five-mile paved, 12-foot-wide multi-use trail that runs west along the old Cross Florida Barge Canal out to the Gulf of Mexico, south of Inglis and north of Crystal River. It’s part of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, the corridor left behind when the barge canal was never finished.
For anglers, the draw is the string of covered fishing platforms and multi-use shelters set along the canal’s south shoreline. You can fish both salt and freshwater here, and a Florida fishing license may be required depending on what and where you’re fishing. The shaded platforms make it an easy, comfortable place to drop a line.
The trail is wheelchair accessible, with parking areas along its length and an accessible composting restroom about 2.5 miles west of US 19. The western end opens onto a scenic Gulf overlook with a covered picnic area — a good spot to watch dolphins, osprey and wading birds.
Trail Facts
Type
Paved Greenway trail
Length
~5 miles to the Gulf
Fishing
Covered canal platforms
Water
Salt & fresh (barge canal)
Cost
Free
Manager
Florida State Parks
Before You Fish
- This is a trail with covered fishing platforms along the barge canal, not a walk-out ocean pier.
- A Florida fishing license may be required depending on species and location — check FWC rules.
- Wheelchair accessible; accessible composting restroom about 2.5 miles west of US 19.
- Bring bug protection — yellow flies can be fierce in the warm months.
- Great for birding and dolphin-watching from the observation decks and the Gulf overlook.
Plan Your Visit
10201 N Suncoast Blvd, Crystal River, FL 34428
A 5-mile paved Greenway trail with covered fishing platforms along the old barge canal out to the Gulf. Free, salt and fresh water, wheelchair accessible.