• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Florida Hikes logo

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

  • Trails
  • Maps
  • Guidebooks
  • Search
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
Boardwalk in verdant forest

Churchhouse Hammock Trail

Providing a peek at the estuary along Crystal River, the Churchhouse Hammock Trail at Crystal River Preserve State Park has accessible and adventuresome options.

Crystal River Preserve State Park  |  Crystal River
( 28.910935,-82.607511 )      1.0 miles

337 shares

In Crystal River, you can immerse in the beauty of a palm and cedar hammock right across the street from the Crystal River Mall.

A wooden boardwalk leads into jungle-like cabbage palm flatwoods. While it makes its own quarter mile loop, adventuresome hikers can ramble a lot farther.

Palm and dense woods Vibrant forest along the natural trail


A staircase leads to the Pathway to the Past, a rough natural trail that meanders through a bottomland hardwood forest with surface limestone.

Trail’s end is a glorious view from a boardwalk stretching into the estuary that surrounds Crystal River.

One of the estuary views from the boardwalk


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in Central Florida Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Crystal River
Length: 1 mile loop
Trailhead: 28.910935,-82.607511
Address: 857 N Suncoast Blvd (US 19), Crystal River
Fees: Free
Restroom: At the trailhead
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 352-795-3817

Open 8 AM until sunset daily. Leashed pets welcome.

The trailhead includes an accessible picnic pavilion, and the boardwalk loop is accessible.

Dense coastal forest


Directions

 
From the intersection of SR 44 and US 19 in Crystal River, drive north along US 19 for 2 miles. The parking area for Churchhouse Hammock is on the west side of the highway directly across from the Crystal River Mall.

Hike

Start your walk from the boardwalk access to the left of the restrooms. It’s shade, glorious shade, as you plunge into the woods.

Take the first left turn off the boardwalk into the woods. Here’s where the adventure begins.

You’re immersed in a beautiful coastal hammock with tall longleaf pines and slash pines. There are dense stands of cabbage palms, hanging vines, and sweetgum as well as magnolia, tall oak trees, and yes, poison ivy.

Boardwalk in pine and palm hammock First stretch of the boardwalk


You immediately spy a catfaced pine, of which there are many in these woods, tapped for turpentine perhaps fifty, perhaps one hundred years ago.

Most of the older longleaf and slash pines along Florida’s Gulf Coast show these marks, since turpentine and its byproducts are essential for keeping wooden boats sealed against the water.

Footpath through dense coastal forest Catfaced pine along Pathway to the Past


Passing another catfaced pine, the trail begins to get rocky underfoot. Watch your step! This is karst topography, surface limestone that erodes as it rains, causing crevices and sinkholes.

Coontie, a primitive fern-like plant, grows throughout the understory, with bright red seeds drawing attention.

Coontie The roots of coontie were dried and used by indigenous peoples to make flour


Limestone boulders are scattered around the forest, where yaupon holly – its leaves used by indigenous peoples for the “black drink” – appears along the edges of the forest.

Walking beneath a hickory tree, mind the footpath, since it’s covered with a jumble of rocks, sweetgum balls, and hickory nuts.

Broader path in forest The path broadens in places


As the trail gently descends, the forest lightens up off to the left. There’s a slight clearing, where in winter, you can peek out to the estuary.

Built in the floodplain of the estuary, this part of the trail can get mushy or wet – or even underwater – at times. The churned-up earth is from wild hogs rooting.

Gaps in forest Light between the trees signals the estuary ahead


Reach a trail junction at 0.3 mile. Continue straight ahead. You can see a boardwalk ahead beneath the palms.

Follow the ramp up to emerge from deep shade into the sun-drenched estuary, Tidal channels snake through the grasslands.

Palms along estuary Palms and cedars define the edge of dry ground


Needlerush swarms around an island topped with cedars and cabbage palms. In the distance, Crystal River sparkles under the sun. Trail’s end is at the island, which is blocked off from access.

Return along the boardwalk, enjoying the beauty of the coastal hammock as seen across the grasslands.

Coastal hammock and grassland The coastal hammock as seen from the boardwalk


That chirp in the air that sounds like parrots probably is – monk parakeets, now wild along both coasts of Florida – use holes in slender cabbage palms to nest.

Returning to the trail junction at 0.6 mile, turn left. The footpath becomes very squishy underfoot and may be flooded. You’re back in the deep shade of the palm hammock.

tannic pools in woods Pools of tannic water in the hammock


A blue marker confirms your path, which also parallels a forest road. Some folks use that to hike on, but the main route is much more fun.

Twisting and turning through dense understory, the trail has that wild feel, and indeed, it’s surrounded with poison ivy. Walk cautiously.

Trail markers Trail markers for the footpath


More rocks appear underfoot to trip you up, but it’s worth it – here’s an oak that looks centuries old. And another. You’ve entered a cathedral of the ancients, a timeless gathering of live oaks. An arrow confirms your route.

With more rocks and roots, and trees to duck under, you get a bit of a workout in these woods. Rocks like sculptures emerge from the forest floor, under the ancient pines.

Towering oak and palm Ancient oaks and palms tower overhead


Coming to a junction with the forest road at 0.8 mile, take the right to continue on the narrow trail.

It winds its way through more dense, jungle-like hammock with a last few rocks to trip on, reaching the main boardwalk at 0.9 mile. Turn left.

Boardwalk in verdant forest
The boardwalk loop at Churchhouse Hammock

Follow the boardwalk as it meanders back and forth over the forest floor, under more towering oaks and pines. Benches provide resting places along the way.

The boardwalk emerges from the forest back to the trailhead just north of where you entered the hammock, completing the 1 mile hike.

Boardwalk wiggling through forest Final stretch on the boardwalk


Trail Map

Churchhouse Hammock Trail Map


Explore More!

While the most obvious and accessible of the preserve’s trails, Churchhouse Hammock is just one of many trails found in Crystal River Preserve State Park.

Marshes and distant river

Crystal River Preserve State Park

Crystal River Preserve State Park spans 20 miles of the Gulf Coast between Yankeetown and Homosassa, protecting key manatee habitats along estuaries of the Gulf.


Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos of Churchhouse Hammock


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

View of Crystal River

Crystal River Archaeological State Park

At Crystal River Archaeological State Park, a paved interpretive trail winds through a ceremonial mound complex built more than 2,500 years ago. The park is the home of Florida’s only petroglyph.

View of salt marshes from 30 foot tower

Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve

Immerse in the beauty of an expansive coastal estuary at Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve in Yankeetown to take in the panoramic views.

Homosassa Springs fishbowl

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Looking for manatees? You’ll see them up close at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, where families can get up close to Florida wildlife in a natural setting.

Ruins of the Yulee Sugar Mill

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park

Beneath a dense canopy of old live oaks, the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins are a familiar landmark to anyone driving through Old Homosassa – the road snakes past it on the way to the river.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Central Florida, Day Hikes, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, TrailsTag: Accessible, Birding, Boardwalks, Crystal River, Crystal River Preserve State Park, Dog-friendly, Family-Friendly, Florida State Parks, Geology, Wildlife Viewing

Reader Interactions

Have an update? Contact us.

Primary Sidebar

CENTRAL FLORIDA

CENTRAL FLORIDA OVERVIEW
East Coast Greenway. Florida Trail

Brooksville. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. Kissimmee. Lakeland. Leesburg. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Orlando. Sanford. St. Petersburg. Tampa.

Our Newest Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideOur definitive guidebook to planning backpacking trips on the Florida National Scenic Trail, now in its fourth edition. Full data charts and maps. B&W, 356 pages. $19.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail Hikes 2nd edition coverFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
A visual journey the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.
Order Now


50 Hikes in Central Florida 3rd edition
Five Star Trails Orlando guidebook
Explorer's Guide North Florida & The Panhandle guidebook

Florida Trail Apps

Farout GuidesFarout Guides Comprehensive logistics and offline maps for the
Florida National Scenic Trail (1,500 miles), the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (108 miles), and the ECT Florida Connector (92 miles).

Explore More

Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Boardwalk looping along lakeshore as seen from above

Bonnet Springs Park

Bonnet Springs Park
Waterway flowing through lush forest with path beyond

Dickson Azalea Park

Dickson Azalea Park
Florida rosemary growing in bright white sand

Shadow Bay Park

Shadow Bay Park
Marker 26 at edge of pine woods

Alafia River North Trails

Alafia River North Trails

Footer

FIND A TRAIL OR PARK

NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Apalachicola. Apalachicola National Forest. Blackwater River State Forest. Blountstown. Bonifay. Bristol. Cape San Blas. Carrabelle. Chattahoochee. Chipley. Crawfordville. Crestview. DeFuniak Springs. Destin. Ebro. Eglin Air Force Base. Fort Walton Beach. Freeport. Gulf Islands National Seashore. Madison. Marianna. Milton. Monticello. Mossy Head. Navarre Beach . Niceville. Panama City Beach. Pensacola. Ponce De Leon. Port St. Joe. Quincy. Sopchoppy. South Walton. St. Marks. St. Marks NWR. Tallahassee. Vernon. Wakulla. Wewahitchka

NORTH FLORIDA
Alachua. Amelia Island. Baldwin. Branford. Bunnell. Cedar Key. Chiefland. Crescent City. Dowling Park. Ellaville. Fernandina Beach. Flagler Beach. Gainesville. Green Cove Springs. High Springs. Jacksonville. Keystone Heights. Lake Butler.Lake City. Live Oak. Mayo. Macclenny. Micanopy. Olustee. Orange Park. Osceola National Forest. Palatka. Palatka-Lake Butler Trail. Palm Coast. Perry. Salt Springs. St. Augustine. Starke. Steinhatchee. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Suwannee Springs. Talbot Islands. Timucuan Preserve. Trenton. Welaka. White Springs. Williston

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

MULTI-REGION
Big Cypress Swamp. East Coast Greenway. Everglades National Park. Florida National Scenic Trail

CENTRAL FLORIDA
Apopka. Belleview. Brandon. Brooksville. Bushnell. Canaveral National Seashore. Christmas. Chuluota. Clearwater Beach. Clermont. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. De Leon Springs. DeBary. Deland. Deltona. Dunedin. Dunnellon. Frostproof. Geneva. Inverness. Kenansville. Kissimmee. Lake Mary. Lake Wales. Lakeland. Largo. Leesburg. Longwood. Melbourne. Melbourne Beach. Merritt Island. Merritt Island NWR. Mims. Mount Dora. New Port Richey. New Smyrna Beach. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Ocklawaha. Orlando. Ormond Beach. Osteen. Oviedo. Palm Bay. Ridge Manor. Sanford. Silver Springs. Spring Hill. St. Cloud. St. Petersburg. Tampa. Tarpon Springs. Titusville . Walt Disney World. Weeki Wachee. Winter Springs. Withlacoochee State Forest. Withlacoochee State Trail. Yeehaw Junction

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Bradenton . Charlotte Harbor. Ding Darling NWR. Englewood. Estero. Fort Myers. Immokalee. Naples. Pine Island. Port Charlotte. Punta Gorda. Sanibel Island. Sarasota. Venice

SOUTH FLORIDA
Arcadia. Basinger. Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Clewiston. Everglades City. Fisheating Creek. Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Lake Placid. LaBelle. Lakeport. Moore Haven. Okeechobee. Pahokee. Port Mayaca. Sebring. South Bay

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Big Pine Key. Biscayne Bay. Biscayne National Park. Boca Raton. Boynton Beach. Coral Gables. Davie. Delray Beach. Northeast Everglades Natural Area. Florida Keys. Fort Lauderdale. Fort Pierce. Hobe Sound. Hollywood. Homestead. Islamorada. Jensen Beach. Jupiter. Juno Beach. Key Biscayne. Key Largo. Key West. Marathon. Miami. Ocean to Lake Greenway. Overseas Heritage Trail. Palm Beach. Port St. Lucie. Redland. Sebastian. Stuart. Vero Beach. West Palm Beach

  • Trails
  • Parks
  • Beaches
  • Gardens
  • Springs
  • Ecotours
  • Attractions
©2006-2023, Sandra Friend & John Keatley | Disclosure | Site Index | Work with Us | Advertise with Us
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy | Florida Hikes PO Box 93 Mims FL 32754| Contact