Blackwater River State Forest – Juniper Creek Trail
Blackwater River State Forest offers a natural retreat set amidst the beautiful rolling hills of northwest Florida. Reaching from Conecuh National Forest along the Alabama border toward Eglin Air Force Base, the state forest is Florida’s largest at nearly 190,000 acres. The area is characterized by its many streams, including the namesake Blackwater River, which flow gently south as they make their way to the Gulf of Mexico. Certified as a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Juniper Creek Trail runs through the state forest parallel to Juniper Creek. The trail is particularly inviting in spring when wild azalea, Florida anise, and mountain laurel bring beautiful blooms of color. At its southern end, it meets the Blackwater River, considered to be one of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the world.

Major Activities: Hiking

Trail Length/Surface: Juniper Creek Trail is 8.8 miles, unpaved.

Fee: Fees apply in some areas. Please contact the Division of Forestry and Florida State Parks for details.

County: Santa Rosa
Nearby Towns: Milton

Notes:
Juniper Creek Trail is blazed orange, and is a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail. The Florida Trail Association (FTA) produces a detailed hiking guide and segment-by-segment maps which are very useful for hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail. For more information, visit FTA’s website at www.florida-trail.org or call 1-877-HIKEFLA.

Access/Directions:
Northern Access (Red Rock Road Area)
From I-10, take the Avalon Boulevard exit (Exit 22). Follow Avalon Boulevard to US 90. Take a right and continue to Burger King. Take a left at Stuart Street (Hwy 87). Go to Milton High School. Take a right across from Milton High School onto Hwy 191. Follow Hwy 191 north to Red Rock Road at Spring Hill. Take a right on Red Rock Road and proceed to the Red Rock Primitive Area/Canoe Launch. Trail crosses Red Rock Road .3 miles to the east. Proceed south to enter Juniper Creek. North of the road, is Jackson Red Ground Trail.

Southern Access (Deaton Bridge/Blackwater River State Park
From I-10, take exit 31 to Hwy 87. Proceed north a half mile and turn right on Hwy 90. Follow for 7 miles to town of Harold. Take a left onto Deaton Bridge Road and proceed to Blackwater River State Park. The access point is at the bridge in the park.

Contact Information:
Blackwater River State Forest
11650 Munson Hwy
Milton, FL 32570
Phone: 850/957-6140

Blackwater River State Park
7720 Deaton Bridge Road
Holt, FL 32564
(850) 983-5363