Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway

Byway Length: 62 Miles

Designated: May 2, 2013

FDOT District: 5

OVERVIEW

The Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway traverses pastoral farmlands, cattle ranches, and horse farms, featuring lush open fields alongside quiet country towns, hardwood forests, the tranquil Withlacoochee River lined with moss-covered cypress trees, and the beautiful Lake Panasoffkee. This byway strikes a balance between the natural beauty of the area and a historical story that dates back to the early 1800s, with the arrival of Europeans and their subsequent interactions with the local Native Americans as they began to settle in Florida. These early interactions resulted in epic conflicts that helped place the area that eventually became Sumter County in the annals of history.

Adding to this early on story of conflict is the region’s agricultural successes in the 1900s. A 1925 edition of Travelon Magazine called Sumter County the “storehouse of Florida” and a “place where good living could be made on ten acres of land”. Much of this quote from Travelon still holds true to this day. The story of the corridor is built on the belief in “good living”. Farms interspersed between natural areas offer a “balance to the senses”. This feeling of oneness when enjoying the byway is balanced by the history of man’s efforts to develop a family and homestead.

This Byway corridor offers an opportunity to experience a balance between the history, heritage, and scenic beauty of rural Florida.

Byway Gallery: Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway
Byway Website: sumterbyway.com
Byway Map: Downloadable PDF Map

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Byway Resources

Byway Website: sumterbyway.com
Byway Facebook: Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway
Interactive Map: sumterbyway.com/along-the-route
YouTube Channel: Scenic Sumter Byway

2023 Florida Channel Video: Florida Scenic Highways & Byways – Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway

General Directions

Sumter County is located approximately one hour north of Tampa on Interstate 75. The Scenic Sumter Byway can be accessed from several I-75 interchanges (Exit 314 or 321).