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Florida Trail

Panhandle Section Trails

FT St. Marks/Aucilla

Length: 52.5 miles (linear)

In addition to its rich natural history, this area has significant archaeological sites. Indian mounds dating back more than 2,000 years are scattered along the route. Several segments of the trail follow abandoned railroad beds, or "tram roads," built shortly after the turn of the century for the purpose of logging the virgin cypress and pine forests still found along the Florida Gulf Coast.

Overview

West of Lamont, the trail becomes truly scenic again as you follow the Aucilla River. After walking along the river’s rapids, you reach unique Aucilla Sinks, where the river plays hide-and-seek through deep sinkholes in the limestone karst before popping out again to flow aboveground. Crossing US 98, you enter St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, the only NWR to permit overnight backpacking. The trail traverses a great variety of habitats. Besides its rich forests of longleaf pine and turkey oak, the refuge shelters old growth mesic and hydric hardwood forests, cypress and gum swamps, beech-magnolia groves, cabbage palm/live oak hammocks, and the seemingly endless expanses of salt marshes along the coastal fringe.

Map

11 St Marks/Aucilla The trail passes through the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area west of Lamont and the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, 20 miles southeast of Tallahassee.

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.

Trailheads

Park at your own risk. Leave nothing visible in your car. There are several parking areas at the western end of the Refuge at Wakulla Beach Road , at the Refuge Visitor Center, on Goose Pasture Road, at CR 14, and at the west end of the logging road at mileage 13.4/36.8.

Features

Boardwalks

Botanical

Bridges

Campsites

Gateway Communities

Geologic

Shelters

History

Conditions

Hiking is dry over most of the trail except during periods of heavy rains. The trail through the Aucilla WMA hiking is dry except when the river is at flood stage (check at the Cabbage Grove Fire Tower for conditions). To cross the St. Marks River at the town of St. Marks, hikers must arrange for boat passage. For about 15 miles, the trail follows refuge roads which are closed to vehicles and offer easy hiking. From the town of St. Marks to US 98, the trail follows the old Tallahassee-St. Marks railroad corridor on the St. Marks State Trail (paved bicycle path), crosses the Wakulla River Bridge on US 98, and heads back into the forest.

Precautions

Aucilla WMA: Plan carefully for this remote section of trail. Flood waters can make this trail hazardous because it runs close to the edges of sinks and along the river berm. High water can obscure boundaries. Use caution when crossing sloughs (steep sides and loose footing). Check the general hunting season dates, because this region's hunting regulation boundaries are uncertain. Wear safety orange during general gun hunting season. St. Marks NWR: Wear safety orange during general hunting season and refuge special hunts. The visitor center is open 8-4:30 weekdays and 10-4 Sundays. The trail just west of the Wakulla River is in the process of being relocated off of US 98. Pay close attention to blazes. The St. Marks River is deep and broad with commerical boat traffic. DO NOT attempt to swim across. It is usually easy to hail a boat during daylight hours. You may also contact Allan Hobbs at Shell Island Fish Camp, 850-925-6226 for a boat. Make reservations at least 24 hours in advance.

Restrictions

Camping in St. Marks NWR is by permit available only to those hiking the entire 43 miles of the Refuge, and camping is permitted only in designated campsites. Contact the Refuge office at P.O. Box 68, St Marks, FL 32355. St Marks is the ONLY National Wildlife Refuge in the US to allow hiker camping. This is a special concession granted specifically to the Florida Trail. Please follow their guidelines to ensure continuation of this policy for future hikers.