Greenways and Trails LogoCross Florida RegionNavigation Region Next Previous

Cross Florida Greenway — Baseline to Marshall Swamp
Stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway occupies much of the land formerly known as the Cross Florida Barge Canal. This 110-mile corridor encompasses a variety of natural habitats and offers an array of trails and recreation areas where visitors can experience Florida’s premier greenway.

The Baseline to Marshall Swamp area of the Cross Florida Greenway offers two trails, providing visitors the opportunity to experience a paved urban trail, or escape to a secluded hiking trail that weaves through the cypress swamp and hardwood hammock communities of Marshall Swamp. Access to both is just minutes from downtown Ocala and Silver Springs.

Baseline Brochure

Click here to download the brochure (358 kb)

Notes:
The SE 64th Avenue Trailhead provides access to the paved and unpaved trails where they connect, offering an easy opportunity to explore each. Parking and wheelchair access (for the paved trail) are offered here.

Please note that the unpaved Marshall Swamp Trail is for hiking only. A segment of the Florida Trail winds through the entire area.
Locator
Major Activities
HikingBikingWalkingInline SkatingWheelchair

Trail Length/Surface: 3 miles unpaved hiking; 5 miles paved multi-use (varies from 12-16' in width)
Fee: None
Counties: Marion
Nearby Cities: Ocala

Notes:
The Baseline Road Trailhead provides access to the paved trail. It offers restrooms, potable water, a picnic pavilion, wheelchair access, and plenty of parking.The paved trail is situated along former pastures that are currently being restored to original longleaf pine sandhill community.

The Sharpes Ferry Trailhead provides access to the unpaved hiking trail through Marshall Swamp. The trailhead offers restrooms (Sharpes Ferry Office), potable water, picnic tables, and parking.


Access/Directions:
Baseline Road Trailhead (access to paved trail)
If heading north on I-75... take Ocala Exit 350 (old Exit 68) to SR 200. Take a right on SR 200 and continue to SR 464. Follow SR 464 to SR 35 (Baseline Road). Take a left. Trailhead is on the right.

If heading south on I-75... take Ocala Exit 352 (old Exit 69) to SR 40 (Silver Springs Blvd.). Take a left on SR 40 and follow east for approximately 2.5 miles until you reach US 441. Take a right on US 441 and follow for approximately 1 mile until you reach SR 464. Take a left on SR 464 and follow to SR 35 (Baseline Road). Take a left. Trailhead is on the right.

Sharpes Ferry Trailhead (access to unpaved hiking trail)
From I-75, take Ocala Exit 352 (old Exit 69) to SR 40 (Silver Springs Blvd.). Head east (towards Ocala and Silver Springs). Follow for approximately 7 miles until you reach SR 35 (Baseline Road). Take a right and continue to the next stop light at Hwy 314. Take a left onto Hwy 314 and continue for approximately 2 miles. Trailhead is on the right.

SE 64th Avenue Trailhead (access to both paved and unpaved trails)
Follow directions to Baseline Road Trailhead (above). From there, proceed to the intersection of Baseline Road and SR 464. Take a left on SR 464 and look for the first left, SE 64th Avenue. Take a left onto SE 64th Avenue and continue through the neighborhood of homes until you reach the trailhead on the left.

Contact Information:
Office of Greenways and Trails
Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway – Headquarters (Ocala) 352-236-7143
http://www.floridagreenwaysandtrails.org/cfg