The
Inglis Lock Recreation Area
is a part of the Cross Florida Greenway that extends for 110 miles from
Yankeetown on the west coast to just south of Palatka on the St. Johns River
near the east coast of Florida.
Inglis Bypass is a manmade canal constructed
to divert water from the Withlacoochee River as part of the Cross Florida Barge
Canal ... a failed public works project from many years ago. The bypass canal
includes a spillway to regulate fresh water flow into the lower Withlacoochee.
The original plan for the bypass included a lock to allow boat traffic along the
canal.
However, the lock has been non-operational since 1999.
Access to Inglis Lock Recreation Area is via
State Road 40 east of U.S. 19. The recreation area borders the north shore of
the Inglis Bypass Canal, and includes the old navigational lock and a bridge to
Inglis Island. The West Zone field office for the Cross Florida Greenway is also
located here.
From the parking area at Inglis Lock Recreation Area, there is a 3.7 mile mowed
grass trail that extends to the west along the north side of the bypass canal.
The trail is suitable for hiking or mountain bike riding. An unpaved trail also
leads to the east along the bypass canal providing access to the west side of
Lake Rousseau.
The Inglis Lock Recreation Area allows access to Inglis Island, where there are
7.6 miles of natural surface trails and 2.3 miles of paved multi-use trail.
Inglis Island is open for equestrian use, but horses and trailers must access to
island from the south at Inglis
Dam & Island Recreation Area.