North Port Mountain Bike Trails

I haven't been here in about 5-6 years. CRP was closed so I decided to check it out. I started at the Oak Park parking lot and rode a few miles before I realized it was overgrown and no longer connected to the south western portion of the park. Drove over to where the school is and parked there. I really enjoyed riding here again. Lots of twists, turns, small drop-ins, and lots of roots for a workout. Not much signage and there are many forks. Never really knew which way to go so I just rode keeping my head up in case other riders were there. By the looks and feel (spider webs) I didn't think anyone else was out there late morning during the week. Seems like I might have missed some sections. I remember seeing a sign that said "Super Bowl" and I don't think I rode it. I opted for something root trail and then crossed the rickety bridge. All in all it was fun. I will definitely be hitting it again instead of riding all the way to Balm/Alafia when CRP is closed. More signage showing direction and better flow would enhance the experience.

I got lost when I came to.that address

I really liked this trail - much better than the palmetto trail at myakka state forest I rode yesterday. Lots of shade. I rode the north loop. Not far from the beginning, there is a little bridge that I didn't trust - I walked the bike across, but it looks like the boards are rotting. Once you get to the "top" of that loop, there's an intersection, then a bench by the creek. Take a left at the bench for the return part of the loop. After that, there are a bunch of intersections, but I think any way you take will bring you back to the Price bridge. One intersection said "Parking to the left, Bears to the right" written in sharpie on a board. Not sure what's up with that but it was funny :) If it would have said Beers ---> I might have turned right! Perfect little ride for a lunch break workout :) Oh, I saw a cute little Doe too! She wasn't very scared of me :)

Had some difficulty finding the trail head - when you cross the bridge look carefully and you will see trail.

Overall, it was worth the drive - interesting and twisty. Plenty of palmetto routes which made it impossible to really get going but also added difficulty. Without them, I would have rated trails easy. Several times I felt like I was going the "wrong way". Going back in a few days to test flow in different directions.

Rode the north half...first time. Lots of loops, hairpin turns, roots, tree gateways, short hillocks. Lots of fun...real workout. Looking forward to doing the southern half.

[NOTE]: I met a local rider who gave me some insight on the location. This is more of speak-easy hidden treasure trail. There is concern for the trails getting rutted out and torn up, especially if wet or during the rainy season. Please be respectful to the local riders and call it a day or go to another location if trail conditions are wet. This is are very unique location an not like any trails I have ridden in South West Florida. There are several other trails within 20 min drive that will be rideable.

Trail Review:
Trails were nice this past week. I made my first 2 visits. It's rated intermediate, but if you try to maintain any sort of speed, some sections could easily be considered black, considering the obstacles, and lack of any real straight or level sections. Plan on standing on your pedals a lot, and if you have a full suspension, you'll probably want to setup for low speed, as the 'roots' everyone talks about are actually native scrub palm trunks. These types of palms grow the trunk along the ground. So many of the root sections are these trunks which average about 5 inches in diameter. The trails are along a creek/river basin which has a lot of natural levies for run off. Loads of drops and small climbs. Also, few of these are straight. You will be very busy picking your lines, diving into corners and concentrating on your next move if you are riding aggressive at all.

Locating The Trail:
I found the easiest way to access the trail is underneath the bridge on W Price, just east of the community center. Access from the east end of bridge on the south shoulder. Trails are both to the north and south of the bridge.

Trails were nice and packed today. No soggy spots. Dam was able to be crossed. Great shape and fun. Didn't ride as far as usual. Wife is still healing from getting wiped out by a wild boar a couple of weeks ago at Carlton Reserve.

Trail was pretty good, scenery exceptional. Rode from Oaks Park to dam. Dam was flowing pretty good, did not cross. Not very well marked. Some areas flooded. Overall a decent ride and will return.

A little difficult to find but pleasantly secluded trail. Tons of roots which get annoying in certain sections. But fast, windy with a good amount of tight turns, small climbs, a few switchbacks, and beautiful scenery. Much of the trail runs along side a creek. It gets cut off by the dammed river/creek at one point so you have to detour through a neighborhood. It's out and back, and the trails aren't marked. We stuck to the right mostly and were fine. Watch out for gators!

I had fun, what else can I say. The trail is a good intermediate trail with lots of switchbacks and small climbs. It runs along a creek and most of it is under the canopy. Decided to break up the drive on the way up to Balm Boyette and check this trail out. The trail was dry today and can be a bit rooty but fun when ridden fast. We were pleasantly surprised. The trail is not well marked, just stick to the right and you'll be fine. Oh, snapped a pic of a 10 foot alligator chilling on the tail.

This was my first time riding trails on a mountain bike. I don't have any experience riding off road on a bike. It's definitely challenging as a new comer but I like the idea of it. I just need more practice and time. I can't wait to get back out and give it another shot!

Rode from Oaks Park past Price Blvd. to the southern most trail by Appomatox and back to Price blvd. Didn't have a problem with anything but crossing the damn and a couple small creeks which was not a big deal. Someone has been maintaining the trail it is in pretty good shape.

Best place to access this trail is on Price Blvd right under the bridge just past the golf cart bridge. South of price is more technical with roots. North side less roots lots a fun. I'm a Newby but seems well maintained. Haven't riden the most northern end yet. But will soon.

Trail address is listed incorrectly. It's located at Oaks Park. Trail is not marked and after finding the trailhead it was flooded after riding less than half a mile.

This trail will never be marked or mapped,that is why it is so special

Technical trail for intermediate riders, many roots and switchbacks, and several bridges.

amazing trail. Well maintained, Very fun to ride.

Had to stop in Community Center and ask for directions "Thanks Dorthy" , she gave me Lee's number "Thanks Lee" . Needless to say a newcomer will not find it !
Poorly maintained but has a lot of potential .
FYI : trail is under the Myakkahatchee Creek bridge .

Rode this trail over the 4th of July 2014. This trail has some potential as it's pretty technical with roots, switchbacks and some elevation changes as it follows the Myakkahatchee creek. You can see at one time this was a very nice trail, but has largely not been maintained recently and had several areas that are over grown. The best area is from Oaks Park on Mandrake Terrace south 3-4 miles

This really is a great trail! I happened to run into Mike who has been a major part of taking care of the trails over the years and he was also great! I appreciate his willingness to help me out and show me around since there are no markers. Mike actually shared that there are no "right" ways to ride it. There are A LOT of roots and it's a pretty twisty trail so speeds aren't too high, reducing the need for set directions. Overall this trail is a blast to ride if you don't mind having to pick lines and go a little slower because of BIG roots. There are a number of challenging sections and short climbs that push your bike handling skills. As others have said there are only a few wooden structures left and they are a little rickety but the sheer number of trails and varied terrain from tech to flow makes up for it. Mike said there are now 18miles of trail. The problem is that you have to know where some of them are and you'd never find them without being shown... Even just staying on the main trails you can get completely spent in 2hrs of riding and not ride the same thing twice. If you live within an hour of North Port I highly recommend checking them out!