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.Activities & Facilities
Dogs allowed
Short hiking trails
Long hiking trails
Paved bike trails
Mountain bike trails
Fishing