For Sarasota, Florida visitors and locals looking to spend a bit of time exercising in the outdoors, Sarasota County’s Legacy Trail is an excellent choice.
The trail offers 30 miles of recreational access; the trail is straight, smooth, and level. Additionally, there are only a few street crossings making it an excellent biking or walking trail for all age and ability levels.
Traverse the old Seaboard Railroad corridor through beautiful sections of rural Florida and over bridges with water views.
The Legacy Trail begins at the Historic Venice Train Depot and extends to Payne Park in downtown Sarasota.
There are 11 trailhead access points, all with free parking.
The trail is open year-round from 6 a.m. to sunset and is dog friendly.
While much of the trail is exposed to the Florida sunshine, there are shaded benches and drinking fountains about every mile.
Learn more about The Legacy Trail in this featured blog post.
Get The Legacy Trail Map Guide here.
The Legacy Trail Trailhead Locations and Parking
Parking areas and trailheads are dog-friendly.
Trailhead parks and parking are located at (from north to south):
Payne Park Trailhead – 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota. Amenities include Payne Park Tennis Center, Skate Park, Circus Park, amphitheater, and restrooms. Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Pompano Trailhead – 601 S. Pompano Avenue, Sarasota. Amenities include 12 lighted pickleball courts, a children’s playground, shelter pavilions, grills, drinking fountain, restrooms, bike repair station, half basketball court, a community building, and free parking. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sarasota Springs Trailhead – 4012 Webber Street, Sarasota. Amenities include a picnic area, grills, playground, restrooms, bike repair station, and a drinking fountain. Open 6 a.m. to sunset.
Ashton Road Trailhead – 4301 Ashton Road, Sarasota. Amenities include a bike repair station and a drinking fountain. Open 6 a.m. to sunset.
Culverhouse Nature Park & Trail Access – 7301 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL. Restrooms and water are NOT available. Open 6 a.m. to sunset.
Legacy Trail Access McIntosh Road – 7905 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. Parking only.
Osprey Junction Trailhead – 939 E. Bay Street, Osprey. A portable restroom and water fountain are available. Open 6 a.m. to sunset.
Oscar Scherer State Park – 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL. Pedestrian/bicyclist entrance fee; visit www.floridastateparks.org/park/Oscar-Scherer or call (941) 484-5956. Open 8 a.m. to sunset.
Laurel Park and Sandra Sims Terry Community Center – 509 Collins Road, Laurel, FL. Numerous amenities including restrooms, water, fitness trail, shaded children’s playground, picnic pavilion, and picnic shelters. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nokomis Community Park – 234 Nippino Trail E., Nokomis, FL. Numerous amenities including restrooms, water, covered picnic shelter, covered children’s playground. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nokomis Riverview Park – 251 Riverview Drive S., Nokomis. Parking only. Open 6 a.m. to sunset.
Patriots Park – 800 Venetia Bay Blvd., Venice, FL. Restrooms, water, picnic tables, paved courtyard dedicated to veterans of world wars, first responders, and the victims of 9/11. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Historic Venice Train Depot – 303 E. Venice Avenue, Venice, FL. Restrooms, water, covered picnic pavilion. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Shamrock Park – 3900 Shamrock Drive, Venice.
Skip Stasko Park – 2101 Scenice Drive, Venice. Open 6 a.m. to sunset.
