Managed by the St. Johns Water Management District, Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area showcases an impressive variety of natural communities
Thank its deeply contoured landscapes. Seepage slopes have shaped the topography over a long period of time, slowly carving out ravines as water races down to Black Creek.
A network of multiuse trails crisscrosses the conservation area, indicated by white, red, and yellow markers.
Two options are available for primitive camping, a car accessible group camp near the trailhead, and a remote backpacking site on the Yellow Trail.
The narrative in this article covers the White and Red Trails on a 6.5 mile round trip.
Restored sandhillsResources
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Overview
Location: Middleburg
Length: 6.5 miles
Trailhead: 30.058139, -81.846806
Address: 5663 Green Rd, Middleburg
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: St. Johns Water Management District
Phone: 386-329-4404
Open 24 hours. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
Exit Interstate 295 southwest of Jacksonville at SR 21 towards Middleburg. Head south or 13 miles before turning left onto CR 218. In 2 miles, make a left onto Green Rd and continue for 0.9 mile to the second parking area on the right.
Hike
Starting at the parking area, head through a gap in the fence next to the map kiosk, following a sandy path across an open forest dotted with pines and turkey oaks.
Turn left at the first trail junction in less than a quarter mile to begin the White Trail loop in a clockwise direction.
North trailheadWhite diamonds mark the trail as it dives into the dappled shade of a xeric hammock before winding past an overlook at the edge of a steep ravine.
Looking down into the miniature canyon, a lush hardwood forest stands in contrast to the dry environment above.
Ravine overlookReaching an intersection with the Yellow Trail at 1.4 mile, turn right to remain on the White Trail loop as it crosses a sandhill community.
Through mechanical methods and a prescribed fire regimen, this habitat has undergone extensive restoration efforts to return the land to a more natural condition.
What was once a cluttered successional forest has been transformed into a healthy pine savanna carpeted with wiregrass and palmetto.
Restored sandhill habitatStay straight at the next junction in a quarter mile, following red diamonds through a sliver of mesic flatwoods surrounding a gently contoured ravine.
At 2.5 miles, the Red Trail crosses under high tension power lines before beginning a loop.
Stay to the right as a wide pathway cuts across the pine forest, reaching a side spur at 3.4 miles.
Pine flatwoods habitatDon’t miss this side trip. The 0.6 mile round-trip spur leads to a picturesque spot on a high bluff overlooking Black Creek.
Turn right after returning to the main loop, following the trail across undulating terrain at the top of a wide, densely forested gully.
Picnic table on the bluffWhere the Red Trail loop ends near the 5 mile mark, follow the path back under the powerlines and around the pine flatwoods to the next junction with the White Trail.
Take a left. The last bit of trail weaves through xeric hammocks before completing the white loop at 6.3 miles.
Turn left, following white diamonds for 0.2 mile back to the trailhead.
Along the ravineTrail Map
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Hiking Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area
Nearby Adventures
Msgt John E Hayes Memorial Park With five acres of waterfront and boater access to Black Creek in Middleburg, Msgt. John E Hayes Memorial Park honors a hometown hero and protects old-growth cypress.
Ronnie Van Zandt Memorial Park Gimme three steps and a whole lot more on a circuit of a park established to honor the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, northwest of Green Cove Springs where he grew up.
Camp Chowenwaw Trails Explore Camp Chowenwaw Park on a network of trails into an old-growth hardwood hammock and floodplain swamps near where Black Creek empties into the St. Johns River.
Jennings Pioneer Trail With elevation changes, streams, and cascades, the Pioneer Trail is as close as you can get to the Appalachian Trail experience without leaving the Florida peninsula.
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