Most people associate the Legacy Trail with Venice and Sarasota. It makes sense, the trail has been running between those two cities since 2008 and has built a loyal following of cyclists, walkers, and inline skaters over the years. But there is a lesser-known entry point that not enough people talk about, and it happens to sit right here in North Port.
In today’s post, we will walk you through five things about the Price Boulevard trailhead that might change how you think about this part of Sarasota County.
1. The North Port Connector Opened Ahead of Schedule
The trailhead at 1045 Calera Street, at the end of West Price Boulevard, officially opened on September 9, 2022, reportedly more than two years ahead of its original projected completion date. Sarasota County delivered this connector significantly faster than planned, which tells you something about how seriously the region takes trail infrastructure. For North Port residents, it marked the first time the city had a direct, usable link into the broader Legacy Trail network.
2. From This Trailhead, You Can Ride All the Way to Downtown Sarasota
Starting at the Price Boulevard trailhead, you can connect through Deer Prairie Creek Preserve, pick up the Legacy Trail, and ride all the way north to Payne Park in downtown Sarasota. The total distance from the North Port trailhead to downtown Sarasota spans roughly 30 miles of connected trail and connector routes. That makes this one of the longer continuous recreational trail corridors in the entire southwest Florida region, and most visitors have no idea it is possible from a North Port starting point.
3. The Trail Passes Through One of Florida’s Most Impressive Nature Preserves
Once you cross the bridge at Calera Street heading north, the paved connector trail travels through Deer Prairie Creek Preserve for approximately 5.5 miles. The preserve covers more than 6,400 acres and contains 70 miles of hiking trails, equestrian paths, and a portion of the Myakka River. The section of trail through the preserve is widely considered the most scenic stretch of the entire connector, with tree cover, canal views, and wildlife that you simply do not get closer to the city.
4. The Trailhead Has a Bike Repair Station
Supported in part by a Gulf Coast Community Foundation grant, the Calera Street trailhead was built with a stop station and a fully equipped bike repair station. For cyclists heading out on longer rides toward Venice or Sarasota, having on-site tools available at the starting point is genuinely useful, especially on a route this long. It is a small detail that reflects how much thought went into making this trailhead functional rather than just symbolic.
5. A Future Extension Will Connect the Trail to Warm Mineral Springs
The Price Boulevard trailhead is not the end of the story. Plans are already in place to extend the connector south from West Price Boulevard down to Warm Mineral Springs Park, one of North Port’s most distinctive natural attractions.
The North Port City Commission approved the design and engineering agreement for this 1.7-mile extension in April 2025, with completion currently projected for the 2030-31 fiscal year. When finished, reports suggest that it will form part of the Florida Gulf Coast Trail, a planned 336-mile corridor connecting Tampa to Naples.
At Jennette Properties, we manage vacation rentals across Sarasota, Venice, and the surrounding areas, and we are always happy to point guests toward the best local experiences. If you are staying in the North Port or Wellen Park area and want to make the most of what this region has to offer outdoors, the Legacy Trail is one of the first things we recommend to guests. Browse our properties or get in touch with our team to plan your next stay.
FAQs
Where Exactly is the North Port Trailhead Located?
The trailhead is located off Price Boulevard in North Port and serves as the southern access point for The Legacy Trail extension.
Is the Trail Dog-Friendly?
Yes. The Legacy Trail, its parking areas, and trailheads are all dog-friendly, so you can bring your dog along for the ride or walk.
Is This a Good Trail for Beginners?
The paved connector and the Legacy Trail itself are flat and well-maintained, making them accessible for most fitness levels. The longer routes toward Venice or Sarasota are better suited to cyclists who are comfortable with distance, but the North Port connector section on its own is manageable for casual riders and walkers.
