Located in the southwest corner of Bald Point State Park, the Sand Pine Trail is a good distance from the sandy shoreline of Bald Point but close to Alligator Harbor.
One of several trails within the eastern part of Bald Point State Park, this loop leads through an extensive sand pine scrub habitat mixed with small sections of mesic flatwoods.
Sand pine scrub is the predominant habitat along this trailResources
Resources for exploring the area
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Overview
Length: 1.7 mile loop
Trailhead: 29.922718, -84.374183
Address: Alligator Dr, Alligator Point
Fees: $4 per vehicle
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 850-349-9146
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From Tallahassee, follow US 319 to US 98 at Medart. Drive west on US 98 through Panacea to Ochlockonee Bay, crossing the bay on a long bridge. Turn left in one mile at Alligator Dr, continuing for 1.7 miles, where a small parking area will be located on the right side of the road.
Hike
Starting at the trailhead, pass through a gap in the fence, follow dark green blazes past a bench tucked into thick clusters of scrub oak.
Climbing an ancient sand dune, continue along a wide, sandy pathway to a forest of sand pines at the top.
Trailhead gateIn the warmer months, striking red blooms of scarlet calamint stand out among the otherwise lush green foliage.
Carpets of deer moss line the trail, alongside groups of saw palmettos and sporadic turkey oak saplings.
Scarlet calamint in bloomThe trail continues in a straight line over undulating terrain before reaching the edge of the property at a half mile.
Turn left at a green arrow, heading southward along a grassy access road. The path slowly descends another ridge.
Velvetleaf milkweeds sprout from the sandy soils, producing curious clusters of yellow-green flowers in the spring and summer.
Velvetleaf milkweedReaching a trail intersection at 0.7 mile, continue forward, following the contoured landscape to a picnic table alongside spectacular views of nearby Alligator Harbor.
From this point, backtrack a tenth of a mile to the intersection, and turn right to resume the loop trail.
Picnic spotAs the trail heads eastward, scrub gives way to mesic flatwoods with a quick change in elevation.
Depending on the time of year, the footpath can be soggy where it passes a few nearby depression marshes.
Pine flatwoodsAs the trail ascends into another scrub habitat, it turns north, traversing more hilly topography before completing the loop at 1.7 mile.
At this final intersection, a bench tucked into a dense cluster of scrub oaks offers a resting spot before finishing the hike at the trailhead.
Trailside benchTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Bald Point State Park
Bald Point State Park From its namesake point at the Gulf of Mexico to the sandy heights of St. Teresa Bluffs, Bald Point State Park protects miles of waterfront along Ochlockonee Bay while providing extensive trails to roam.Video
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Bald Point Tucker Lake Trail Circling the largest body of water in Bald Point State Park, the Tucker Lake Trail showcases a blend of dry upland ecosystems and expansive marshlands. 
Bald Point Sundew Trail A remarkable variety of wildlife inhabits dry and wet pine flatwoods along this loop trail dotted with tiny carnivorous sundew plants.
Bald Point Maritime Hammock Trail A remote beach, a sweep of estuary, a broad bay, and the Gulf of Mexico: the beauty that surrounds this 1.3 mile nature trail at Bald Point invites full exploration on a 2 mile hike.
Granite Point Loop Traversing ecosystems undergoing degrees of habitat restoration, the 4.8 mile Granite Point Loop at Bald Point State Park features fantastic views of Ochlockonee Bay.
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