Blackwater River State Forest – Wiregrass Trail
The 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, this state forest is Florida’s largest at nearly 190,000 acres. The forest is characterized by its many streams, including the namesake Blackwater River, that flow gently south as they make their way to the Gulf of Mexico. Located in the northern extent of the state forest, the Wiregrass Trail is certified as a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail and a portion is included in the Division of Forestry’s Trailwalker Program. Among its highlights, the trail takes hikers through part of one of the largest remaining stands of longleaf pine/wiregrass natural community found anywhere.
Major Activities: hiking
Trail Length/Surface:
12.7 miles from end to end, unpaved
Fee: None
Counties: Okaloosa, Santa Rosa
Nearby Cities: Munson, Crestview
Notes:
The hiking trail is blazed orange. Heading northwest from the North Hurricane Lake Recreation Area, the trail is 6.4 miles to the terminus at the Alabama border. Heading southeast, it is 6.3 miles to the Jackson Red Ground Trail, which is a continuation 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.
The 6.3 mile segment from Hurricane Lake to Jackson Red Ground Trail is part of the Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Program. This program offers recognition awards for hiking designated trails in state forests throughout Florida. For more information, contact the office below or visit the program's website (www.fldof.com/Recreation/Trailwalker/index.html).
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