The best running routes in Tallahassee — from the Miccosukee Greenway to the St. Marks Trail and FSU campus. Find the top spots for road running, trail running, and long runs in North Florida.
Tallahassee is one of the best running cities in Florida, and it is not even close. While the rest of the state is relentlessly flat, Florida's capital city has rolling hills, dense canopy roads, and a trail system that rivals cities three times its size. The combination of the Miccosukee Greenway, the St. Marks Trail, Maclay Gardens, and the FSU campus gives Tallahassee runners more variety per square mile than almost anywhere else in the state. Add a passionate running community and mild winters by Florida standards, and you have a city that was built for runners. This guide covers the best places to run in Tallahassee.
1. Miccosukee Greenway (Tom Brown Park to Reeves Landing)
The Miccosukee Greenway is the signature trail run in Tallahassee and one of the best running trails in all of Florida. This 6.5-mile natural surface trail runs from Tom Brown Park on the east side of Tallahassee to Reeves Landing on the shore of Lake Miccosukee. The trail rolls through mixed hardwood forest with gentle hills — a rarity in Florida — and canopy shade that keeps temperatures manageable even in warmer months. The footing is packed dirt, roots in places, and occasional short boardwalk sections over wet areas. For trail runners, this is the route that defines Tallahassee running.
Best for: Trail running, long runs, weekend adventures
Surface: Natural dirt trail with roots and boardwalk sections
Distance: 6.5 miles one-way (13 miles out-and-back)
2. St. Marks Trail
The Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail is a 20.5-mile paved rail trail running from the southern edge of Tallahassee to the coastal town of St. Marks on the Gulf. It is flat, straight, and fully paved — the quintessential long-run route for marathon and ultra training. The trail passes through longleaf pine forest and open marsh as it approaches the coast. Many Tallahassee runners use the first 6–10 miles from the Capital Circle trailhead for weekend long runs. The full out-and-back is 41 miles, making it a legitimate ultra training ground.
Best for: Long runs, marathon training, ultra training
Surface: Paved
Distance: 20.5 miles one-way; most runners do 6–14 mile out-and-backs
3. FSU Campus
Florida State University's campus is a beautiful place to run, with live oaks draped in Spanish moss, brick-lined paths, and rolling terrain that gives your legs some variety. A loop around the core campus is roughly 2–3 miles depending on your route, and you can extend by running through the adjacent neighborhoods of Frenchtown and College Town. Early morning is the best time — before classes fill the sidewalks. The Doak Campbell Stadium area provides wide, flat loops if you want to add strides or tempo work. Many Tallahassee runners incorporate the campus into their regular rotation.
Best for: Easy runs, campus loops, hilly routes (by Florida standards)
Surface: Paved paths, brick sidewalks, and roads
Distance: 2–3 mile campus loop; extendable through surrounding neighborhoods
4. Lafayette Heritage Trail Park
Lafayette Heritage Trail Park on the east side of Tallahassee features a 3.1-mile paved loop around a series of connected lakes, plus additional unpaved singletrack trails through adjacent woodlands. The paved loop is flat and well-maintained, making it an excellent 5K-distance training route. The natural surface trails add variety and distance if you want to mix road and trail in a single run. The park is connected to the broader Tom Brown Park trail network, allowing you to build runs of 6–10+ miles without repeating terrain.
Best for: 5K training, mixed-surface runs, mid-distance routes
Surface: Paved loop and natural surface trails
Distance: 3.1-mile paved loop; 5–10+ miles with trail extensions
5. Maclay Gardens State Park
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in north Tallahassee is a stunning place to run, particularly from January through April when the gardens are in peak bloom. The park has approximately 5 miles of trails winding through the ornamental gardens, along Lake Hall, and through surrounding pine flatwoods. The trails range from paved garden paths to natural surface singletrack. The rolling hills and dense canopy make this one of the most scenic running locations in North Florida. There is an entrance fee for vehicles.
Best for: Easy runs, scenic routes, nature running
Surface: Mixed — paved garden paths and natural surface trails
Distance: Up to 5 miles of trails within the park
6. Lake Overstreet Trails
The Lake Overstreet trails, accessible from Maclay Gardens or from the Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park side, offer some of the best singletrack trail running in Tallahassee. The trails wind through hardwood hammock and along the lake shore with rolling terrain, exposed roots, and narrow paths that demand focus and agility. This is real trail running — technical enough to be engaging but not so difficult that it slows you to a hike. A loop from Maclay Gardens around Lake Overstreet and back is roughly 4–5 miles.
Best for: Trail running, technical singletrack, moderate distance
Surface: Natural surface singletrack
Distance: 4–5 miles for the lake loop
7. Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park
Phipps Park is a 670-acre park in northwest Tallahassee with over 7 miles of multi-use trails through some of the hilliest terrain in the city. The trails here are used by runners, mountain bikers, and hikers, with natural surface paths winding through hardwood forest, ravines, and creek crossings. This is the closest thing to mountain trail running you will find in Florida. The terrain is genuinely challenging, with elevation changes that will have you using muscles you forgot you had. For trail runners who want a workout, Phipps Park delivers.
Best for: Trail running, hill training, technical terrain
Surface: Natural surface with roots, hills, and creek crossings
Distance: 7+ miles of trails
8. Railroad Square Art District and Gaines Street
For an urban running option with character, the Railroad Square Art District and Gaines Street corridor on the south side of FSU offer a flat, interesting run through one of Tallahassee's most eclectic neighborhoods. You can loop through the art district, head east on Gaines Street toward Cascades Park, and return for a 3–4 mile route that mixes sidewalks, murals, and local businesses. This is not a nature run — it is a city run through a neighborhood with personality.
Best for: Easy urban runs, recovery days, exploring the city
Surface: Sidewalks and paved roads
Distance: 3–4 miles
9. Cascades Park
Cascades Park is a 24-acre urban park in downtown Tallahassee that has become a central gathering point for the city. The park features a 0.8-mile paved loop around a large pond and amphitheater, with connections to the Capital Cascades Trail that extends east toward Lake Munson. The loop is flat, well-lit, and close to downtown — ideal for quick after-work runs or as a starting point for longer routes along the Capital Cascades corridor. The park often hosts events and concerts, so check the schedule if you prefer quiet running.
Best for: Quick runs, after-work miles, downtown access
Surface: Paved
Distance: 0.8-mile loop; extendable via Capital Cascades Trail
Running in the Tallahassee Heat: What You Need to Know
Tallahassee's climate is different from South Florida — it gets genuinely cold in winter and brutally hot and humid in summer. Here is what you need to know about running in the heat:
- Run early or at dusk: Summer mornings before 8 a.m. and evenings after 6:30 p.m. are the best windows. The Miccosukee Greenway and Phipps Park canopy provide meaningful shade during the day.
- Hydrate before, during, and after: Tallahassee humidity in summer regularly exceeds 90%. Carry water on any run over 30 minutes.
- Use the trails: Canopy cover on the Miccosukee Greenway, Phipps Park, and Lake Overstreet trails can drop the perceived temperature by 5–10 degrees compared to open road running.
- Adjust pace expectations: June through September, expect 30–60 seconds per mile slower than your cool-weather pace. This is adaptation, not decline.
- Take advantage of winter: Tallahassee winters are prime running season. December through February often brings crisp mornings in the 40s and 50s — perfect race-pace weather that South Florida runners drive north for.
Tallahassee Running Groups and Clubs
Tallahassee has one of the strongest running communities in Florida, anchored by its trail culture and proximity to cross-country traditions at FSU and FAMU:
- Gulf Winds Track Club: The primary running club in Tallahassee, organizing races, group runs, trail runs, and the annual Tallahassee Marathon. This is the hub of the Tallahassee running community.
- Tallahassee Trail Runners: Focused on trail running with group runs on the Miccosukee Greenway, Phipps Park, and other local trails
- November Project Tallahassee: Free fitness group that meets for outdoor workouts including running
Check our running clubs directory for more options in the North Florida area.
Find Running Gear in Tallahassee
Tallahassee has solid specialty running stores for shoe fittings and gear. Browse our Florida running store directory to find stores in the Tallahassee area with expert staff and local trail knowledge.
Find Tallahassee Races
Tallahassee hosts a packed race calendar year-round, with signature events like the Tallahassee Marathon and numerous trail races. Browse Tallahassee races on Run Florida Run to find upcoming 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, marathons, and trail races in the area.