Never Ending Cycling Chronicles

Before You Go:

North Anclote River Nature Park (to utilize the link, you must have Google Earth installed), is located in Tarpon Springs, Pinellas County, Florida. If you want to minimize ride time and maximize your time exploring the park, there is a parking area at the northern entrance to the park. By car, take ALT 19 North in Tarpon Springs (North Pinellas Avenue) north to Dixie Highway, turn right (heading east) and the park entrance is a short distance on the south side of Dixie Highway.

You can also enter the park from the south via the Pinellas Trail. The link above is actually the southern entrance on the Pinellas Trail.

The Trail:

The park is small but is a pleasant diversion if you are riding the Pinellas Trail. There is a short paved portion that leads off the Pinellas Trail. The balance of the trails within the park are crushed, packed shell.

The park offers fine views of the Anclote river estuary before it enters the Gulf of Mexico near the sponge docks of Tarpon Springs. It is kept in a very natural state and there are ample opportunities to view the park’s residents – squirrels, gopher tortoise, various snakes, wading birds such as snowy egrets and great blue heron abound.

The park also offers some ammenities such as rest rooms, picnic areas, boarwalks and overlook areas that afford water views.

Though it is a rather small park, it is worth a side visit off the Pinellas Trail. It offers areas to rest and pleasant vistas.

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