Forest trail at southern side of Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
The 386-acre Ponce de Leon Springs State Park straddles Walton and Holmes counties. 154 undeveloped acres along the southern portion of the park off of J.D. Anderson Road offers a beautiful, easy hike. Prescribed burns have opened up the canopies in the forest restoring native pitcher plants, wiregrass, and fall wildflowers.
The park now offers four miles of trail opportunities in their previously undeveloped southern section of the park. In addition to the popular spring area, the park has converted their service roads. This portion of the park offers scenic views of upland, bottomland, and wetland areas. The trail is moderate terrain and suitable for hiking or biking.
Along the wetland areas, a variety of plants can be found such as pitcher plants, sundews, grass pink, and hatpins. On the upland portions, you may see rhododendron, red chokeberry, milkweed, hickory, huckleberry, blazing star, aster, oaks, pines, blueberry, and more. Gopher tortoise, turkey, fox, white-tailed deer, beaver, bobcat, otter, and a variety of native and migratory birds also inhabit the area. Historical elements such as turpentine remnants and an old railroad bridge can also be found.
Hours of Operation
8 a.m. to sunset
Driving Directions
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park Area is located one half mile south of U.S. 90 on C.R. 181A in Ponce de Leon, FL. ::MAP::
Park Fees
$4.00 per vehicle. Please use the honor box to pay fees. Correct change is required. Limit 8 people per vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
2860 Ponce de Leon Springs Road (check in at main park for directions to the southern trail)
Ponce de Leon, Florida 32455
Phone: 850-836-4281
For more information, click here for the park’s website.
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Creek side natural beauty awaits the explorer on the Florida Trail in Bruce
The Nokuse Plantation portion the Florida Trail offers upland, wetland and freshwater natural habitats along the Lafayette Creek and Big Head Branch creek in Walton County. Whether you chose a short two-hour hike or an overnight backpacking journey, this trail offers a scenic experience that is sure to please.
This section of the Florida Scenic Trail stretches more than 19 miles from SR81 to U.S. Hwy. 331 in Freeport with three trailheads: SR81 between Bruce and Red Bay, J.W. Hollington Road in Freeport and U.S. Hwy 331 in Freeport.
If you chose a short, 2-3 hour hike, the SR81 trailhead near Seven Runs Creek, provides a shady, moderate hike along the Big Head Branch creek.
This undisturbed pristine area is adjacent to a planted pine forest along an easement provided by Nokuse Plantation. Nokuse Plantation is a privately owned preservation and restoration area connecting conservation lands of Eglin Reservation, Lafayette Wildlife Management Area and the Choctawhatchee Wildlife Management Area. Click to continue
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Explore Lakewood Park: Florida highest point
At a whopping 345 ft. above sea level, there is no need for any mountain climbing gear to get to the top of Florida’s highest point. Lakewood Park in north Walton is the highest natural point in the State of Florida, and is also the lowest high point of any State in the U.S.
Located just east of Paxton, Lakewood Park is a small county park sporting picnic areas, a restroom and short hiking trails. The trails are an easy walk through a small hardwood forest of mostly even terrain. It offers three paths to choose from: .45 mile, .52 mile and .71 mile.
Known as Britton Hill to the locals, the namesake comes from a former lumber mill baron, William Henry Britton who developed the area in the early 1900s.
If you are exploring north Walton County, or headed to Florala, it is worth a stop.
Directions: Take U.S. Hwy 331 north. Turn east on Co. Hwy. 147E just south of Paxton. Turn left on N. Co. Hwy 285. The park is on the left. ::MAP::
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Florida Trail Eglin East Trail
The eastern end of this section is on US 331 just north of Freeport. The western end is at the SR 285 trailhead, 2.0 miles south of Interstate 10.
Length: 32.9 miles (linear)
Hiking is on an active military reservation. Of special interest is Eglin’s role as a weapons development and testing facility. The rumbles in the distance are rarely thunder.
Hikers on Eglin AFB are restricted to within 100 yards of the blazed FNST, side trails and designated campsites. Camping is authorized only at designated campsites and fires are restricted to fire rings in the campsites.
Eglin requires that all hikers age 16 or older, except thru-hikers (see below), to have in their possession a valid Eglin Recreation Permit. An annual (Oct 1 to Sept 30) recreation permit cost $10 and can be purchased at the Eglin Natural Resources Branch, 107 Hwy 85 North, Niceville FL, 32578. (850) 882-4164. Permits may be purchased through the mail with a check or money order and a copy of a photo ID.
While on the trail, all hikers must also complete and carry the tear-off Hiker Registration Cards that are available at each trailhead kiosk they pass (US 331, Alaqua). All hikers are also required to carry positive proof of identification. All overnight campers, except for FT thru-hikers (see below), must also purchase a $10 Camping Permit which covers groups up to 10 for 5 days.
As an aid to thru-hikers (backpackers starting and ending their hikes 30 miles beyond Eglin’s boundaries), Eglin does not require thru-hikers to obtain a Recreation or Camping Permit. In lieu of these permits, thru-hikers must have in their possession an official letter from FTA confirming their status as a thru-hiker and listing approximate dates of travel within Eglin. Thru-hikers are also required to complete a Hiker Registration Card at each trailhead kiosk and have the bottom part in their possession while on Eglin AFB.