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As might be imagined, the Western Gate Chapter is the western-most chapter in the Florida Trail Association and is responsible for building and maintaining the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) in the Florida counties of Escambia and Santa Rosa. Chartered in 1992, the Chapter was initially tasked to maintain the 21 mile Jackson Red Ground Trail in Blackwater River State Forest. From that small beginning the FNST was gradually lengthened until today the Chapter is responsible for over 100 miles of footpath, and the trail is still growing. Not a hiker!!!! How about canoeing or kayaking? Western Florida’s clear, sand and gravel bottom streams are truly a delight. Western Gate conducts paddle trips in the summer months.
Serving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties CHAPTER MEETINGS are on the third Thursday of the month, 7 PM (refreshments at 6:30 PM) First Christian Church, 6031 Goodrich Drive, Pensacola, FL 32504 DIRECTIONS: In Pensacola at the intersection of Goodrich Drive and Langley Avenue between Davis Highway and Ninth Avenue. CONTACTS: 
The Western Gate chapter maintains the Florida Trail from its western terminus at Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore, through Eglin Air Force Base to the Chocwhatchee River, and north through Blackwater River State Forest to the Alabama border. The chapter also maintains one loop trail, the Garcon Point Trail, on the Santa Rosa peninsula, where spectacular fields of carniverous pitcher plants grow.  IN EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, the Florida Trail provides nearly 50 miles of hiking through lush forests, with old growth trees scattered amid younger stands of turkey oak, longleaf pine, and titi swamp. Seepage slopes showcase pitcher plants. The Alaqua Creek section of the trail, accessed from Bob Sikes Road outside DeFuniak Springs, makes an excellent place for a day hike or easy overnight trip.
AT BLACKWATER RIVER STATE FOREST, enjoy a leisurely hike on the scenic Juniper Creek Trail, which connects Blackwater River State Park with the Red Rocks Recreation Area. Shaded by river bluff forests, the trail parallels this tributary of the Blackwater River, with a side trail leading to clay cliffs standing dozens of feet above the creek. THE SEASHORE SECTION of the Florida Trail is the trail’s northern terminus and the only segment of a National Scenic Trail that follows a beach. Hurricane activity has resculpted Santa Rosa Island, but habitats are resilient and will regenerate over time. The trail leads you along the many of the white sand beaches between Navarre Beach and Fort Pickens Unit, Gulf Islands National Seashore. |
The Association 
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Incorporated in 1964, the Florida Trail Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit volunteer organization that builds, maintains, protects, and promotes the 1,400 mile Florida Trail, one of only eleven National Scenic Trails in the United States, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service. Our volunteers also build and maintain other trails on public land, known as the Florida Trail System. With 18 local chapters, FTA provides educational opportunities for people to learn to appreciate and conserve the natural beauty of Florida, as well as recreational opportunities for hiking and camping.
