Baseline Road Trailhead Park in Ocala
A free Marion County park on the Cross Florida Greenway with the Boundless Playground, a 5.2-mile paved loop and the Florida Trail
Baseline Road Trailhead Park at a Glance
| Address | 4255 SE 58th Ave., Ocala, FL 34472 (Baseline Road) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year |
| Cost | Free; no entry or parking fee |
| Run by | Marion County Parks and Recreation, on state land leased to the county as part of the Cross Florida Greenway |
| Phone | (352) 671-8560 (Marion County Parks and Recreation, pavilion bookings); (352) 758-1000 (Cross Florida Greenway office) |
| Playground | Boundless Playground, barrier-free for children of all abilities |
| Trails | 5.2-mile paved multi-use loop; Florida National Scenic Trail (unpaved) |
| Pets | Allowed on a hand-held leash of 6 feet or less |
What Is the Baseline Road Trailhead in Ocala?
The Baseline Road Trailhead is a day-use park and trailhead on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, the 110-mile linear park that runs from the Gulf coast to the St. Johns River on the route of the never-finished Cross Florida Barge Canal. Marion County calls it Baseline Road Trailhead Park and describes it as one of the most used access points to the Greenway in eastern Marion County. Its street address is 4255 SE 58th Avenue, the stretch of road locals know as Baseline Road, and Florida State Parks describes it as minutes from downtown Ocala and Silver Springs.
The State of Florida owns the land and leases it to Marion County, and Marion County Parks and Recreation runs the trailhead. The county says the trails, playground and other amenities are maintained in a cooperative partnership with the state's Office of Greenways & Trails. The wider Greenway is a Florida State Parks property, and its page for this trailhead lists the hours (8 a.m. to sunset), the fee (none) and the amenities.
Most visitors come for one of three things: the barrier-free Boundless Playground, the 5.2-mile paved loop, or the orange-blazed Florida National Scenic Trail. The paved trail is part of the Heart of Florida Loop Trail, which the county says is a recognized Statewide Regional Trail. The paved loop winds through former cattle pastures that are being restored to longleaf pine sandhill, and Florida State Parks says wild turkey, Sherman's fox squirrels, gopher tortoises, red-shouldered hawks and quail are seen there.
The trailhead is also a regular race venue. Many 5K, 10K and half-marathon courses use the paved loop, and the county says the park can accommodate 5Ks, fundraisers and other special events. Our holiday road races guide lists the races scheduled at Baseline this season.
Boundless Playground
A barrier-free playground designed so children of all abilities can play together. The Felburn Foundation funded a portion of it in 2005. See more playgrounds in Ocala.
5.2-Mile Paved Loop
A looped, paved multi-use trail with several route options through rolling sandhill, open to walkers, runners, cyclists and inline skaters. It connects northeast to the gravel Marshall Swamp Trail.
Florida National Scenic Trail
The orange-blazed, natural-surface Florida Trail passes the trailhead. Hike it southwest toward Santos or northeast toward the Ocala National Forest.
Free Access
No entry or parking fee. Open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year. Only pavilion reservations are booked through the county.
Trails at Baseline Road Trailhead
| Trail | Surface | Length | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline paved loop | Paved | 5.2 miles | Walking, running, road bikes, inline skates; wheelchair accessible |
| Marshall Swamp Trail (connector) | Gravel, stabilized | Runs northeast from the loop to the Marshall Swamp Trailhead | Cycling and walking beyond the loop |
| Florida National Scenic Trail | Natural surface, orange blazes | Southwest toward Santos; northeast toward the Ocala National Forest | Hiking |
Florida State Parks recommends helmets for all cyclists and notes that Florida law requires them for young riders. Baseline is not a mountain biking or horseback riding trailhead: for singletrack, see the Santos bike trails, and for riding, our horse trails guide. Florida State Parks counts more than 80 miles of mountain bike trails and more than 80 miles of equestrian trails across the Greenway.
Trailhead Information
Hours & Access
Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, daily
Admission: Free
Parking: Free, accessible paved lot
Season: Open 365 days a year
Pets: Hand-held leash, 6 feet maximum; pick up after your pet
Amenities
Boundless Playground (barrier-free)
Picnic pavilions (five bookable) and picnic tables
Accessible restrooms
Drinking water
Disc golf course
Accessible paved parking
How to Reserve a Pavilion at Baseline
Marion County Parks and Recreation rents picnic pavilions at the trailhead for birthday parties, baby showers and other gatherings; picnic tables and open grass are free to use without a booking. As of Oct. 21, 2026, the county's booking portal lists five Baseline pavilions, bookable from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for a half day:
| Pavilion | Holds | Grill | Where | Half-day fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pavilion 1 | 30 | Yes | By the trailhead entrance, farthest from the playground | $40 |
| Pavilion 2 | 30 | Yes | Near the restrooms and playground | $40 |
| Pavilion 3 | 30 | Yes | Closest to the playground | $40 |
| Pavilions 4 and 5 | 10 each | No | Inside the playground | $35 each |
- Open the county's Facilities & Reservations page and use its Book Online portal (the county recommends the Chrome browser).
- Choose a Baseline pavilion (they are listed as Baseline Pavilion 1 through 5) and a date.
- For help, or to plan a 5K or fundraiser, call Marion County Parks and Recreation at (352) 671-8560.
Planned Upgrades on the Nov. 3, 2026 Ballot
Marion County commissioners placed a measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot that would authorize up to $140 million in bonds for parks, trails and conservation. Baseline Road Trailhead Park is on the county's initial project list for District 1. If voters approve it, the county's plan for Baseline includes:
- Replacing the playground, with new accessible, barrier-free safety surfacing
- An additional pavilion and event amenities
- Additional paved parking
- Rehabilitation of the paved trail
- New wayfinding signs and interpretive exhibits
Source: Marion County's Parks & Conservation Program page. The county calls this an initial list of projects the bonds could help fund if voters approve them.
History: From Ship Canal to Greenway
According to Marion County Parks and Recreation, the Baseline trail area was once slated to be part of the corridor for the 1930s sea-level Cross Florida Ship Canal and, later, the Cross Florida Barge Canal of the 1960s and 1970s. Digging from the 1930s project still shows in the northeastern part of the paved-trail area, where the disc golf course is. After Congress deauthorized the barge canal and the state passed matching legislation in the early 1990s, the land became the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.
Getting There
Set your GPS to 4255 SE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34472. That is the address Marion County's park directory and Google Maps use. Florida State Parks' page lists “4255 S.E. 58th St., Ocala FL 34480”; the street there should read SE 58th Avenue, which is Baseline Road.
Other Greenway trailheads nearby include the Land Bridge Trailhead, the 49th Avenue Trailhead and the Marshall Swamp Trailhead. For more places to walk, see our walking trails guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Baseline Road Trailhead located?
Baseline Road Trailhead Park is at 4255 SE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34472, on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway east of Ocala, minutes from downtown and Silver Springs. Marion County Parks and Recreation runs the trailhead on land the State of Florida owns and leases to the county.
Is there parking at the Baseline Road Trailhead?
Yes. Florida State Parks lists ample accessible paved parking at the Baseline Road Trailhead, and parking is free. Marion County has proposed adding more paved parking as part of the parks bond on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot.
Does Baseline Road Trailhead have a playground?
Yes. The trailhead has the Boundless Playground, a barrier-free playground built so children of all abilities can play side by side. The nonprofit Felburn Foundation funded a portion of it in 2005, according to Marion County Parks and Recreation.
What trails can I access from Baseline Road Trailhead?
Two. The paved trail is a 5.2-mile multi-use loop through former pastures being restored to longleaf pine sandhill; it connects northeast to the gravel Marshall Swamp Trail. The natural-surface, orange-blazed Florida National Scenic Trail also passes the trailhead and can be hiked southwest toward Santos or northeast toward the Ocala National Forest.
Can I hike or walk at the Baseline Road Trailhead?
Yes. Walkers, runners, cyclists and inline skaters share the 5.2-mile paved loop, and hikers can take the unpaved Florida National Scenic Trail from the same trailhead. The Florida Trail Association publishes detailed hiking maps for each segment.
What are the hours for the Baseline Road Trailhead?
Florida State Parks lists the Baseline Road Trailhead as open from 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year.
Is there a fee to use the Baseline Road Trailhead?
No. Florida State Parks lists no fee for the Baseline Road Trailhead, and parking is free. Groups that want a picnic pavilion reserve it through Marion County Parks and Recreation at (352) 671-8560.
Are dogs allowed at Baseline Road Trailhead Park?
Yes. Pets are welcome on a hand-held leash no longer than 6 feet, may not be left unattended, and owners must pick up after them. Service animals are allowed in all areas.
Can I mountain bike or ride horses from Baseline Road Trailhead?
Florida State Parks does not list mountain biking or horseback riding among the activities at the Baseline Road Trailhead; the paved loop is for walking, running, road cycling and skating. The Cross Florida Greenway has more than 80 miles of mountain bike trails and more than 80 miles of equestrian trails elsewhere, with the Santos trails the best-known mountain biking area.
Can I reserve a pavilion or hold a 5K at Baseline Road Trailhead Park?
Yes. Marion County Parks and Recreation rents picnic pavilions at the trailhead for birthday parties, showers and other gatherings. Its online booking portal lists five: three that hold 30 people with a grill ($40 for a half day) and two 10-person pavilions inside the playground ($35 for a half day). The county also says it can accommodate 5Ks, fundraisers and other special events; call (352) 671-8560.
Is there disc golf at Baseline Road Trailhead?
Yes. Marion County Parks and Recreation places a disc golf course in the northeastern part of the paved-trail area, where digging from the 1930s Cross Florida Ship Canal project can still be seen.
About This Guide
By the Only In Ocala team · Last updated Oct. 21, 2026
Hours, fees, trail lengths, amenities and pet rules come from Florida State Parks' Baseline Road Trailhead page, its experiences and amenities page and the Cross Florida Greenway page. The address, phone, history and disc golf details come from Marion County's park directory; event use from its reservations page; pavilion sizes and fees from its online booking portal; land ownership and planned upgrades from its Parks & Conservation Program page. All were checked on Oct. 21, 2026. An earlier version of this page placed the trailhead in the Ocala National Forest, called it a main entry to the Santos mountain bike trails, and listed horse trailer parking and equestrian trails; none of that is supported by the official sources and it has been corrected.
AI tools helped gather the sources and draft this page; each fact was checked against those sources before publishing.
Editorial StandardsExplore the Trails from Baseline Road
Free parking, a barrier-free playground, a 5.2-mile paved loop and the Florida Trail. Open every day from 8 a.m. to sunset.
Baseline Road Trailhead Park en Ocala: parque infantil y senderos
Baseline Road Trailhead Park es un parque gratuito del Condado de Marion en 4255 SE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34472, dentro del Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. Abre todos los días de 8 a.m. hasta la puesta del sol y no cobra entrada ni estacionamiento. Tiene el Boundless Playground, un parque infantil sin barreras para niños de todas las capacidades, un sendero pavimentado de 5.2 millas para caminar, correr, montar bicicleta o patinar, acceso al Florida National Scenic Trail, disc golf, pabellones para picnic, baños accesibles y agua potable. Se permiten mascotas con correa de no más de 6 pies. Para reservar un pabellón, llame a Marion County Parks and Recreation al (352) 671-8560.