Florida Hikes

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

Salt marsh

Econfina River Marsh Island Loop

Dig deep into Florida’s Big Bend along a series of raised access roads inside Econfina River State Park to discover to panoramic views of expansive salt marshes on the Gulf Coast.

Perry (30.059612, -83.907316)   2.6 miles   Econfina River State Park

Hidden deep within Florida’s wild Big Bend, Econfina River State Park is as stunning as it is remote.

Situated alongside its namesake river, the park opened to the public in 1989 after the state purchased sections of an adjacent fish camp and surrounding lands.

The southernmost route in a system of marked trails that crisscross the property, the Marsh Island Loop showcases a variety of stunning natural habitats along its length.

Cluster of cabbage palms Palm hammock

Resources

Resources for exploring the area
Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover Paddlers Guide Florida
 
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Overview

Location: Lamont
Length: 2.6 miles
Trailhead: 30.059612, -83.907316
Address: 4741 Econfina River Rd, Lamont
Fees: $2 per vehicle
Restrooms: Vault toilet near boat ramp
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 850-487-7989

Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. Protection from insects is highly recommended.

Directions


 
The turnoff for Econfina River State Park off US 98 is 15 miles west of Perry and 18 miles east of Newport (entrance to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge). From its intersection with US 98, follow CR 14 for 6.1 miles to the end of the road.

Hike

Using a wooden walkaround to bypass a wide gate at the trailhead, head westward along a grassy access road lined with large cabbage palm fronds and shrubby wax myrtles.

Blue markers lead the way as the trail winds through a mixed forest of pine, oak, and cedar trees.

Framed map near gate in woods Map at trailhead

Continue following the well-defined corridor, passing an eerie abandoned building obscured behind dense vegetation before reaching a water crossing at 0.3 mile.

Piled rocks span this obstacle, allowing hikers to cross with dry feet when the water level is low.

Stones set across outflow of marsh Water crossing

Turning left at 0.6 mile to begin the loop in a clockwise direction, the trail passes over a slough where a break in the trees reveals a glimpse of grassy marshes to the south.

Climb out of this natural dip onto higher ground. Cabbage palms give way to gnarled oaks, lyonia, and saw palmettos.

Panorama across marsh grasses Marsh view

Forming a series of upland habitats surrounded by wetlands, islands of scrubby flatwoods provide quick draining sandy soils for a variety of species that thrive in drier conditions.

Nearing the one-mile mark, the trail leaves the forest, opening panoramic views of an expansive Gulf Coast salt marsh.

Dry trail under pines Scrubby flatwoods

Distant clusters of trees dot a sea of rushes and grasses extending to the horizon. The road stays elevated above the marsh until reaching a brackish creek at 1.1 mile.

Tidally influenced, the tannic water in this crossing can be knee deep or higher depending on recent rains or the time of day.

Waterway between tall grasses in marsh Salt marsh

Entering a hydric hammock on the other side of the creek, the trail takes a sharp turn to the right, winding northward under a shady canopy.

Exposed limestone juts out of uneven terrain as the path weaves past swampy sloughs where alligators patrol the dark reflective waters.

Mucky edge of dark waterway with alligator floating in it Gator slough

The Marsh Island Trail reaches a junction with the orange blazed Big Pine Trail at 1.5 miles, sharing the route for a quarter mile before blue blazes indicate a turn to the south.

Turning left where the loop concludes at two miles, retrace your steps eastward along the access road, reaching the trailhead in 0.6 mile.

Trail markers on pines Trail junction

Trail Map

Econfina River State Park Trail Map

Explore More!

Learn more about Econfina River State Park

Landing on a primordial looking river Econfina River State Park Protecting nearly 4,400 acres where the Econfina River snakes its way to the Gulf of Mexico through the vast marshes of the Big Bend, Econfina River State Park is well off the beaten path.

Video

A walk through the Marsh Island Loop

Slideshow

See our photos from Econfina River State Park

Nearby Adventures

Aucilla Sinks Florida Trail, Aucilla Sinks 4.4 miles. Winding through a geologically weird and archaeologically significant part of Florida, the most fascinating segment of the Florida Trail is the Aucilla Sinks
Aucilla Rapids Florida Trail, Aucilla River 9 miles. Endearingly scenic, surprisingly rugged, unlike any other piece of the Florida Trail, this trek along the Aucilla River showcases some of Florida's top natural features.
Expansive view of needlerush marsh on Gulf of Mexico Florida Trail, Apalachee Bay 14.3 miles. Hugging the Big Bend coastline, this hike through Aucilla WMA and St. Marks NWR offers some of the most breathtaking panoramas you'll find along the Florida Trail, and a profusion of wildlife.
Lighthouse with palm trees and white sand beach on marsh St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Stretching across 86,000 acres in Florida's Big Bend, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge protects one of Florida's longest wild shorelines, more than 43 miles in three counties.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Chris Stevens
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