HomeFloridaOcala › Banyan Road Trailhead - Cross Florida Greenway

Banyan Road Trailhead - Cross Florida Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 29 Google reviews · Running trail in Ocala, Florida · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Banyan Road Trailhead - Cross Florida Greenway's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedScenicDog-friendlyTrailhead parkingQuiet

What runners say about Banyan Road Trailhead - Cross Florida Greenway

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (29 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Well maintained park facility with terrific paved trails for walking, skating or biking”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“What a beautiful and peaceful place to get out and enjoy nature while still in the city.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 9 mentions

“There are a lot of trails, it's quiet, it's nice, there's off the path trails or concrete.”

Located in what otherwise appears to be just another Florida suburban neighborhood, the Banyan Road Trailhead is a delightful surprise! This well developed access to the Florida Greenway System provides entry to a network of paved walkways through gently rolling terrain that comprises a mix of forest and meadow…

★★★★★ — Wind , Feb 2022

Love love LOVE this trail. It's off the beaten path a little, and I've never seen it crowded during the week. Lots beautiful flora and fauna. Our favorites to see are the deer and the Sherman fox squirrels. They have paved and dirt paths, and it intersects with the Florida Trail.

★★★★★ — Laura , Feb 2024

I visited the Marjorie Harris Carr-Cross Florida Greenway at Banyan Road on a weekend in May 2026. It is located within a neighborhood, but has an official parking area with lots of space.

★★★★★ — Erica , May 2026

The trail is paved and relatively flat, making it a good option for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders of all skill levels. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching, as the Greenway is home to a variety of bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, and hawks.

★★★★★ — Rolf , Oct 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 29 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 9 mentions

“There are a lot of trails, it's quiet, it's nice, there's off the path trails or concrete.”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface 8 mentions

“There is a shady pavilion at the entrance, and then opens up to a lovely, paved pathway perfect for handicap-accessibility, walking, bicycling, skateboarding, and dog-walking.”

More trails like this →

🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“There are wide open, expansive views of blue skies with pine trees, palmetto fronds, blackberries and cacti to admire.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“Located in what otherwise appears to be just another Florida suburban neighborhood, the Banyan Road Trailhead is a delightful surprise!”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“There is a shady pavilion at the entrance, and then opens up to a lovely, paved pathway perfect for handicap-accessibility, walking, bicycling, skateboarding, and dog-walking.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Banyan Road Trailhead - Cross Florida Greenway

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.

Where to find Banyan Road Trailhead - Cross Florida Greenway

Ocala, Florida

Get directions

Running trails near Ocala

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Baseline Road Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 250 reviews

Ocala, FL

LoopPavedShadedScenic

This hiking & biking area with disc golf, a picnic pavilion & a playground allows leashed dogs.

under a mile away

Baseline Trailhead Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,246 reviews

Ocala, FL

PavedShadedScenic

Playground and picnic-friendly recreation area with paved and woodland trails.

1.1 miles away

Silver Springs Conservation Area

4.5 ★★★★★ 129 reviews

Ocala, FL

LoopShadedDog-friendly

2.6 miles away

Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 104 reviews

Ocala, FL

LoopPavedDog-friendly

Park with paved and natural-surface trails, picnic areas, and a restroom, plus a playground.

2.6 miles away

Jervey Gantt Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,660 reviews

Ocala, FL

PavedDog-friendly

Green space with a 2-mi. exercise path, sports courts, picnic shelters, playgrounds & a water park.

2.7 miles away

Marshall Swamp Trailhead

4.5 ★★★★★ 158 reviews

Ocala, FL

5 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Quiet trail through a swampy locale with an observation deck and picnic areas.

2.7 miles away

All running trails in Ocala, FL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.