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Trail

Florida Trail

North Florida Section Trails

FT Camp Blanding

Length: 24.1 miles (linear)

The trail through Camp Blanding takes you through undulating sandhill terrain, with some spectacular scenic views from the hilltops. If it’s a clear day, the distant rumble is not thunder, but bombing exercises. You’ll walk through the hilly sandhill terrain, with its forests of longleaf pine and turkey oak, densely forested areas with different kinds of hardwood trees and shrubs, and pine plantations in various growth stages. Scattered patches of scrub habitat, with brilliant white sand and plants that can survive extreme heat and dryness, introduce you to Florida’s “desert.” Wildlife includes pocket gophers, gray foxes, and squirrels. In the pine woods along the trail, look for “catfaces” (the scars on pine trees left by the turpentine industry) and for red-clay turpentine pots which look like flower pots. Pause and enjoy a cool breeze at the many lakes along the way.

Overview

Magnolia Pond After passing through a beautiful stretch of sandhills and lakes in Keystone Air Park and Camp Crystal Lake, the bulk of this section is a connecting roadwalk to Hampton. Within a few years, the roadwalk will be relocated to the newly acquired Palatka-Lake Butler rail corridor.

NOTICE
In addition to having advance permission to cross Camp Blanding, you must call ahead to Range Control to determine if the base is open to hiking (904-682-3121) before starting out on this route. You must also call Range Control when you leave. Be sure to carry your FTA membership card and photo ID. Stay within 100 yards of the trail when crossing Camp Blanding. No camping or fires are allowed. See restrictions listed below.

Map

17 Camp Blanding The eastern end of this section is off SR 21 at the entrance road to Gold Head Branch State Park. The western end is at the junction of CR 227 and CR 225 north of Hampton.

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

At the western terminus, park at the Keystone Airport. At the eastern terminus, park at Gold Head Branch State Park for shorter hikes. Fee.

Features

Boardwalks

Botanical

Bridges

Campsites

Gateway Communities

Geologic

Shelters

History

Conditions

The trail passes through Keystone Airport Authority property and includes seepage streams, lakes, forest roads, and pine plantations. The Camp Blanding trail follows the south side of Lowery Lake and around Magnolia Lake.

Precautions

The campground on Keystone Airport Authority property (Lakeview Campsite) is also used by Scout troops. Be prepared to yield if they are using the campsite.

A private hunt club leases a portion of the Airport Authority property between Camp Blanding and Camp Crystal Lake. Camp Blanding is also a Wildlife Management Area with hunting. Be sure to wear blaze orange during hunt seasons. Should you encounter items you suspect to be unexploded ordinance you are to: 1) not approach or handle the item and 2) alert Camp Blanding of the item location at 904-682-3121 or 904-682-3504.

Restrictions

Camp Blanding is a Florida National Guard Base and conducts military exercises. Notification of base closures will be posted on kiosks at the camp boundaries. Hikers are required to sign permits at both kiosks. Be sure to carry your FTA membership card and positive proof of ID. Stay within 100 yards of the trail when crossing Camp Blanding. No camping or fires are allowed. If Camp Blanding is closed for your hike the appropriate alternate is to follow SR 21 south to the town of Keystone Heights then follow SR 100 north to rejoin the trail at Airport Rd. To check on base closures in advance, call 904-682-3546 or 904-682-3504.