A Beautiful Ride through Florida’s Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park

In New Port Richey, Florida, you will find gorgeous 8000 acre Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. As one of the first of many parks I’ve visited since moving to and exploring the Bay area, I have to say I was impressed. The highlight here is a fantastic 6.7 mile (out and back) paved bike trail (which is part of the 42 mile long Suncoast Trail). The entire trail is tree-lined, so really a great place for a bike ride or run if you are a nature lover.

Mike and I appreciated the pine scenery as we just moved here from the New England area. We love the Gulf beach scene and palms, but sometimes we want to be reminded of the area we love which we just left. The scenery here is completely different from that which you find around the Gulf Beach areas – basically you are trading palms for pines trees.

While I love the tropical ambiance of palms during the summer season, I love seeing pines during the fall/winter months to remind me of home. After many busy beach weekends dealing with crowds and traffic, escaping to a natural gem like this is a welcome break.

The path is pretty flat and not overly congested. You will run into the occasional walker and cyclist, but you are pretty much left to your own, which makes for a nice peaceful outing. Mike and I could ride side by side for the majority of the ride which was nice.

Compared to the always crowded Gulf Coast beaches, this park comes in as a real treat. Anyone seeking a quiet place to enjoy nature for an hour or 2 should consider a day out in Pasco County. There are a number of great preserves and parks here which don’t receive as much traffic as Hillsborough and Pinellas County options.

After a few days enjoying the beautiful, yet congested beaches, it’s nice to be able to escape somewhere so serene and natural. Although the views do not change much the entire route, the wooded scenery is not a bad sight to take in for a few hours.

Be aware that the trail is 6.7 miles each way, so if you aren’t up for a 13+ mile ride, you will need to turn around earlier. I biked a lot in New England, so the trail did not feel too difficult for me, although the weather was a bit more windy than I would have liked! The trail is pretty flat so as long as there is no wind, it should be a pretty flat and fast ride.

Wildlife sightings (especially deer and armadillo) are common, although we did not see any on this trip. Taking a hike through the woods is probably your best chance of spotting any wildlife (we saw several armadillo). The trails here are also super peaceful and basically devoid of any tourists. You will find a variety of options for any skill level, so really it should appeal to both avid hikers and casual walkers.

Other activities in the park include: equestrian trails, fishing, picnicking, and camping.

Tips for a great ride!

Bring with several water bottles. There is no water along the trail (there are several signs to warn you!). A camelbak is the way to go here as you will never run out. Plus, you have pockets for snacks and other essentials.

Plan for an early morning ride before the weather gets too hot, especially during the intense summer months! If possible, avoid the hot summer season altogether. I like biking best in the spring and fall season.

Bring with sunglasses and sunscreen. Both will make your ride much more enjoyable!

Give your bike a tune-up before your ride.

Where to eat: Before your ride, I recommend a stop at Toast, a casual family restaurant serving a big menu at affordable prices.

Update: I have explored a lot of the Bay region since relocating here. I first moved here in 2014, moved back in 2019 and then again in 2023. Check out my full Bay vacation guide for full details. Note – I would still include this gorgeous park on my list of the best things to do.

Location/Parking

This park is located at 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd in New Port Richey. The parking fee is $2. Plenty of lots are available.