Werner Boyce Salt Springs State Park

Seriously you are going to charge me to park at this place that offers up so little and is still under so much construction. If I could have I would have dug my two dollars back out of the payment box. Trails seemed short and the park itself didn’t seem well maintained what with all the construction equipment about. Entrance is horrible and even looking for it you can drive right past it. Also love the port-​a-​potty that I think a homeless person died in. Give them time to finish the construction before you try and go.

There are three different trailheads and the park sections do not interconnect. Another reviewer has covered the «main entrance». There is also a short trail from the end of Cinema Drive (past Aldi and the Cobb (I think it is) Theater in Port Richey. It’s a nice looping trail that is about ½ mile ilong. The other trailhead with a trail of similar length, I think, is west past the intersection of US 19 and SR 52. $ 3 parking fee is requested which seems excessive given the limited amenities and such. There is pond across the road from the entrance off SR 52 and it’s a bit of a mess and needs cleaning up if anyone wants a project. :) Lots of loud frogs scampering about.
Was harassed by horse flies (the big ones that take a bite out of you and have a black spot on them) in August at both trailheads. Helps to wear a hat. I tried to outrun them, but they are pretty quick!!!
More of the park is accessible by boat and my friend’s geocaching app indicates that there are several stashes in the area (most of them accessible only by boat). Happy hunting!!!
It would be nice if they linked the trails and made the trails greater in length so they could be used for longer hikes and by runners. Nice habitats and plants. Saw some lovely ferns and trees and heard noise nature along the trail on Cinema Dr. A mountain biking trail would also be GRRRREEEATT!!! So far these park areas are mostly usable for short strolls, eco adventuring, plant spotifying, bird watching, bug feeding, and kayaking.

The new-​ish main entrance to Werner-​Boyce opened in December. There’s no big pretty sign to beckon you in, so unless you know where it is, you’ll more than likely pass it by. The main entrance is at 8737 US 19 in Port Richey. If you’re heading South on US 19, make a right just before Walmart.
I went by to check it out today and I have to say they’ve done some nice work, but it’s still a work in progress. There are three trails. The Eagle Trail, Spring Trail and the Kayak Trail which leads to the kayak launch. It seems like it would be a nice place to drop a kayak or canoe.
None of the trails are even a mile in length. This is a nice place to get away into nature for some quiet time but with a $ 3 price tag at the gate, I’m thinking most people may opt for someplace else until this section of Werner has more to offer.
I love nature and I think Werner-​Boyce is great in that it preserves important lands and estuaries. However, from a recreational nature-​activities aspect… for now, it’s lacking.