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Length: 29.4 miles (linear) The southern part of the Blackwater River section starts at the Hutton Unit near Harold, east of Pensacola, and continues to the Jackson/Wiregrass Trail. The connection provides excellent day hiking and backpacking experiences within Blackwater River State Forest, Florida’s largest state forest  Grab and Go Hike: Juniper Creek Trail
 Encompassing 206,000 acres of pine flatwoods and clay hills along the scenic Blackwater River and its tributaries, this beautiful forest brings together Atlantic white cedar and longleaf pine forests, pitcher plant bogs and titi swamps. Once a major lumber and turpentine area, it’s now devoted to conservation and recreation, with a handful of private leases to farmers growing cotton and corn. The Florida Trail utilizes parts of two existing hiking trails (both in the Florida State Forest Trailwalker program) to head north: the Juniper Creek Trail and the Jackson Red Ground Trail. There are additional day hiking opportunities scattered throughout the forest at its developed recreation areas. Although there are developed campgrounds, designated campsites, and shelters, you may camp anywhere you like along the trail. For your safety, try to avoid camping near any forest roads.
The Blackwater River and the Coldwater, Sweetwater, and Juniper Creeks are clean, sandy-bottom, spring-fed waters, despite the dark coloring imparted by tannin from the trees along the bank. A wide range of flora and fauna flourishes along the trail. Pines and junipers predominate, but oak, cypress, ash, live oak, tupelo, bay, and wax myrtle trees, holly, pyracantha, titi and yaupon shrubs can be found. Rare mountain laurel, rhododendron, and pitcher plant bogs may also be seen. Blueberries and blackberries can be picked in early summer. In the fall, the hardwood foliage changes color, and although the hues are not as brilliant as on the Appalachian Trail, the display is well worth seeing. Wildlife that may be seen include raccoons, beaver, deer, rabbits, foxes, and bobcats as well as osprey, wood ducks, herons, eagles, and red-cockaded woodpeckers. Places to swim can be found along this trail.
 The trail is northwest of Crestview in Blackwater River State Forest. The south terminus is at the Hutton Unit, .5 miles west of Harold on US 90. The north terminus is where it intersects with the Jackson Trail and becomes the Wiregrass Trail.
Disclaimer: While FTA strives to maintain accurate information and is constantly updating its geodatabase, the trail and development along the trail corridor is constantly changing. The data has been collected from a variety of sources and accuracy varies. FTA provides this data for recreational purposes only and does not intend the data as a survey.
Centerline data Florida Trail System (c) 2007 Florida Trail Association, Inc. Secured overnight parking (small fee) is available at Blackwater River State Park near the south end. Other secured overnight parking is available at the campgrounds - Bear Lake and Krul. Several canoe launches also provide unsecured or day parking. Botanical Mountain laurel, rhododendron, pitcher plants Campsites Football Field Gateway Communities Milton Crestview Shelters Shelter #1, Shelter #2, Juniper Creek History Otahite Cemetary The terrain gently rolls through longleaf pine forests and along Juniper Creek, with some steep slopes and low-lying titi swamps in places. Obtain information from Blackwater River State Forest Headquarters, 11650 Munson Highway, Milton, FL 32570. Phone: 904-957-4201. Check hunting schedule at State Forest Headquarters and wear blaze orange during hunting season. Camp only at designated sites. Campfires are permitted only at the three shelters and campgrounds. Cutting of live trees or shrubs is not permitted. Respect private property since the State Forest has many private holdings within it. |
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