Pasco County Hiking Challenge - Withlacoochee River Park – Dade City

### Pasco County Hiking Challenge Hike

Withlacoochee River Park – Dade City
Pasco County is hosting the Pasco Hiking Challenge, and this will be our first challenge hike. We only need to complete 3 out of 4 parks, and you can hike any trail you choose — so this one definitely counts.

Pick up your challenge passport card from J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex, Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex, Veterans Memorial Park, or Land O' Lakes Recreation Complex. I'll swing by this weekend and see if I can pick up a stack or not.

📍 Location:
Withlacoochee River Park
12449 Withlacoochee Blvd, Dade City, FL 33525
⚠️ Important driving note:
Please avoid Auton Road — it’s a very very rough dirt road.
👉 Use River Road for a smooth and easy entrance to the park.
📅 Date: Saturday, February 8
⏰ Start Time: 10:00 AM (later start due to longer drive)
🥾 Trail Plan & Distance:

• Blue Trail first – 2.7 miles (out-and-back)
• Red Trail Loop – 4.8 miles
• Total distance: ~7.5 miles

🔗 Trail info:

• Blue Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/withlacoochee-river-blue-trail
• Red Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/withlacoochee-red-trail-loop

🌿 We’re scheduling this before the Bay Area Renaissance Festival begins (Feb 14–Mar 29) to avoid traffic and enjoy a quieter hike.
👟 What to bring:

• Plenty of water
• Snacks / electrolytes
• Sun protection
• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes

This will be a moderate-distance hike with regrouping along the way.

I could be convinced to have lunch after. The Suncoast Outdoors folks like Del Carmen's. I stayed for two night for a hike we did with them and we ate there both nights.