Steinhatchee to Perry via Keaton Beach

Location: Steinhatchee, FL, United States

This is a scenic 43-mile bike ride starting at the Gulf coastal fishing village of Steinhatchee and ending in Perry, Fl. It follows the closest paved asphalt road parallel to the Big Bend coastline.

Shortly after leaving Steinhatchee, the route parallels the eastern boundary of the Tide Swamp Unit of the Big Bend Wildlife Management Area for approximately eight miles and then cuts through Tide Swamp past Fish Creek to the unincorporated community of Keaton Beach.

The Wildlife Management Area is owned by the state of Florida and managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It is primarily used by hunters, birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. As such, riders may encounter a variety of wildlife.

At Keaton Beach, there is a small but nice public beach with picnic area, pier and park (mile 19.6). Stop and eat at one of the local restaurants. Riders can make a U-turn at this point to turn the route into an out-and-back.

Although lightly traveled, much of the route does not have paved shoulders. However, mile 19 is the beginning of a narrow paved shoulder which appears intermittently all the way to U.S. 98.

Steinhatchee has several good seafood restaurants including Roy's and Fiddler's. Riders looking form somewhere to eat in downtown Perry may wish to consider Johnson's Bakery or Joyce's Main Street Cafe. There are several other restaurants available south of downtown on U.S. 98 as well as the usual fast food fare. Overnight accommodations are also available in Perry and Steinhatchee.

For more information about the area, visit the website for Taylor County, Florida.

The Original Florida Tourism Task Force (dba Visit Natural North Florida) and the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council do not warrant the safety of the routes on this map for use by bicyclists. Bicyclists should use these routes only if they have the adequate skill level as bicyclists, and bicyclists must make that determination. All the roads shown are used by automobiles and trucks, and bicyclists assume the risks for their own safety when using the roads and/or routes indicated on this map. The Original Florida Tourism Task Force, the local governments in which these bicycle routes are located and the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council are not responsible for any damages whatsoever from its use.