Florida Hikes

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

Sand pines with a trail between them

Deer Lake Trail

Exploring one tiny corner of habitats preserved north of CR 30A, the Deer Lake Trail loops through sand pine scrub and offers views of the upper end of Deer Lake.

South Walton (30.305520 -86.074737)   1.2 miles   Deer Lake State Park

Three-quarters of a mile north of the popular sandy strand at Deer Lake State Park, a nondescript footpath heads into the woods across from the park entry gate.

You’ll see no markings or kiosk until under the cover of the pines. The Deer Lake Trail is a set of lightly used interpretive trails into uplands beyond the dunes.

Footpath into sand pine forest Trail entrance across from the park gate

Sand pine scrub predominates. The primary trail, the Sand Pine Loop, shows it off in all its glory.

But it’s the destination of the Lake Trail that intrigues. It ends on a bluff above the upper reaches of Deer Lake, surprisingly marshy near its source.

End of a footpath at a bluff above a marsh Bluff at the end of the Lake Trail

There are a few possible starting points for the hike. Given limited parking, beachgoers and those exploring the boardwalk may want to park in the main lot near the restrooms.

If you’re simply here to try this trail, park in one of the parallel parking spaces along the exit road. It’ll save the extra half mile round-trip of walking to the gate from the parking lot.

Parking spots Parking spots near the park gate

Resources

Resources for exploring the area
North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover Paddlers Guide Florida Hiking the Gulf Coast book cover
 
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Overview

Location: Seagrove Beach
Length: 1.2 miles
Trailhead: 30.305520 -86.074737
Address: 6350 E CR 30A, Seagrove Beach
Fees: $3 per vehicle in dropbox
Restroom: Adjoining beach parking
Manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 850-267-8300

Open 8 AM until sunset daily. Leashed pets welcome on this trail but not on the boardwalk or the beach. A water bottle filling station is at the restrooms.

Directions


 
From US 98 at Rosemary Beach, follow CR 30A through Seacrest to Seagrove. The park entrance is on the left 2.7 miles past Watersound Pkwy. The entrance road splits inside the gate at the iron ranger. To include the boardwalk to the beach in your walk, use the main parking area at the end of this road. To hike only the Deer Lake Trail, turn around in that parking area and backtrack to one of the parallel parking spaces on the other side of the split entrance road.

Hike

Its trailhead largely hidden by the dense sand pine scrub, the trail begins at treeline north of CR 30A directly across from the park entrance gate.

There is no crosswalk to alert drivers to the trail, so use caution crossing the highway.

Sandy spot and road across from park gate Looking back towards the park gate from the trail access point

Blue blazes and arrows on blue metal discs mark the well-worn path straight ahead through the sand pines. It quickly reaches the main trail junction.

At the junction is a trail map, bench, and interpretive information. The Sand Pine Loop Trail heads north and east. Turn left to tackle the round-trip Lake Trail first.

Junction with signage under sand pines Trail junction

Winding between relatively young pines, walk by unusually-shaped tree trunks and beds of deer moss on the pine duff between clumps of saw pametto.

Soft and springy, the footpath passes an interpretive sign about rattlesnakes, one of the 44 species of snakes documented in these woods.

Sand pines and turkey oaks Turkey oak on the Lake Trail

The understory is relatively sparse under the Choctawhatchee sand pines, with a handful of turkey oaks beneath the sand pine canopy.

Drawing closer to Deer Lake, the crispier surroundings become. Whether by prescribed burn or lightning strike, a fire killed many trees. Beware of deadfalls and leaning trunks.

Dead trees with yellow blazes Closing in on the lake amid dead trees

A glimpse of grassland in the distance reveals Deer Lake, its upper reaches a marsh. At a set of interpretive signs, the Lake Trail ends.

Enjoy a scenic panorama from a bluff overlooking the basin of Deer Lake. Return along the same route to the main trail junction with the map.

Marsh with tidal channel and pine flatwoods on far shore The upper end of Deer Lake

A half mile into the hike since crossing CR 30A, make a left to start the Sand Pine Loop Trail. Curve through mature sand pine scrub on a broad well-defined path.

Turkey oaks and silk bay add variety to an understory that’s otherwise largely saw palmetto. Crooked-branched rusty lyonia adds its own special texture.

Curve in sandy footpath under pines Curve on the Sand Pine Loop

A long straightaway is followed by a curve just past an interpretive sign about the ubiquitous palmettos.

A arrow disk on an older sand pine confirms the obvious route. The feel of the forest to the left changes, as if something else is out there beyond the pines.

Long straight footpath under sand pines Straightaway

That feeling is confirmed past a hiker marker, where the habitat shifts towards sandhills. It’s rooty underfoot approaching a curve.

An opening in the forest is visible through the monotony of straight trunks. A hidden wetland, perhaps?

Fence and signage in woods Signage

Past a curve with a bench at 0.9 miles, a split rail fence and signage makes it obvious a trail once led to that open area.

Continue through the curve, admiring the open sky over the boggy area as the scrub takes over once again.

Blue sky beyond pine forest Open skies beyond the pines

Walk among super skinny sand pine trunks past a sand pine interpretive sign, immersing in sand pine scrub right up to the conclusion of the loop at 1.1 miles.

Turn left to exit. Cross CR 30A again, reaching the parallel parking spaces in a tenth of a mile.

If you used the main parking lot, continue along the park road for another 0.3 mile.

Path between skinny sand pines Skinny sand pines

Trail Map

Deer Lake State Park Trail Map
Green: Deer Lake Trail. Aqua: Timpoochee Trail. Blue: Park road. Red: Accessible path. Yellow: Beach walk.

Explore More!

Learn more about Deer Lake State Park

Dunes in foreground of coastal dune lake Deer Lake State Park Home to one of the less-visible coastal dune lakes along the South Walton coast, Deer Lake State Park provides the opportunity to see both ends of this coastal dune lake.

Video

A walk through the Deer Lake Trail

Slideshow

See our photos from hiking the Deer Lake Trail

Nearby Adventures

Covered bridge on bike path Timpoochee Trail Showcasing the beauty of the South Walton coastline, the Timpoochee Trail connects coastal communities while leading cyclists past Florida's renowned Coastal Dune Lakes.
Sand pine scrub with pink blaze on pine Point Washington 30A Trail A pleasant connector to Eastern Lake within Point Washington State Forest, the 30A Trail leads through scrub and basin swamps to lakeside camping and the Eastern Lake Trail.
Trail descending to the edge of a lake Grayton Beach Flatwoods Trails The quieter side of Grayton Beach State Park is the perfect place for a walk in the woods to the north shore of Western Lake.
Hiking trail beneath tunnel of sand live oaks Camp Helen South Trails Explore the bluffs and shoreline of Lake Powell on this trio of nature trails that tie to the interpretive loop around the historic lodge and cottages at Camp Helen State Park.

Official Website

Sandra Friend
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