45.5 miles. An official connector, the Blackwater section takes a blue-blazed branch of the Florida Trail up to the Alabama state line.
From there, hikers can continue north, linking up to the Alabama Hiking Trail and the greater Eastern Continental Trail.
Most of the section is within Blackwater River State Forest, Florida’s largest state forest.
Encompassing 190,000 acres of pine flatwoods and clayhills, it surrounds the scenic Blackwater River and its tributaries.
Low-lying area in the river floodplainPopular for backpacking trips, this beautiful section of the trail walks you through Atlantic white cedar and longleaf pine forests, pitcher plant bogs and titi swamps.
Once a major lumber and turpentine area, it’s now devoted to conservation and recreation, with a handful of private leases to farmers growing cotton and corn.
Bog boardwalk on the Jackson TrailNorth of Deaton Bridge, the Florida Trail utilizes parts of three hiking trails to head north: the Juniper Creek Trail, the Jackson Red Ground Trail, and the Wiregrass Trail.
South of Deaton Bridge, the trail traverses the Hutton Unit and the Deer Lake Unit, both of which sport showy pitcher plant bogs as well as steephead ravines.
Sandy beaches at Deaton BridgeOur Florida Trail Books & Guides
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Trip Planning
No permits are required to hike this section.
Camping and Lodging
The Blackwater section has two trail shelters and several designated campsites. Random camping is permitted within Blackwater River State Forest but not within the state park.
Fees apply to camp in developed recreation areas such as Blackwater River State Park, Bear Lake Recreation Area, Krul Lake Recreation Area, Karick Lake Recreation Area, and Hurricane Lake Recreation Area.
Edge of the campground at Deer LakeDogs
Leashed dogs welcome. Do not bring them into bathhouses or swimming areas when camping at a recreation area.
Wildlife
Expect to encounter herds of white-tailed deer across the rolling hills that make up Blackwater River State Forest, and the occasional gray fox.
The healthy sandhills and longleaf savanna also supports far less common species like fox squirrels, gopher tortoises, and red-cockaded woodpeckers.
The Florida black bear roams these woods as well, so it’s best to secure your food at night.
Water
Many tributaries feed Juniper Creek and the Blackwater River. Nourished by seepage slopes, the smaller tributaries will dry up during long periods without rain.
There are a few long stretches on both the Jackson and Wiregrass Trails where you’ll find no water in the rolling sandhills. Plan accordingly.
Burnt Grocery CreekResupply
Before reaching US 90 the trail goes behind the Harold Store, a locally owned convenience store.
A full-service grocery, Piggly Wiggly, and a Dollar General are 5.4 miles west of where the trail crosses US 90 in Harold. They mark the eastern edge of services in Milton and can be reached via the historic Old Brick Highway paralleling the north side of US 90.
Ruth’s Store in Munson is 5.3 miles west of the trail crossing along SR 4, with hot food and deli along with convenience store standards.
Parking & Shuttle
The Blackwater section has no trailheads at either end, making logistics tricky.
It branches off the main Florida Trail at Deer Lake junction 0.3 mile south of Deer Lake Rd, and ends at the state line almost 4 miles north of the nearest paved road.
Fees apply if you leave a car at Blackwater River State Park inside the park gates. It’s the safest place to leave one during a backpacking trip. Check at the ranger station for fees.
For a shuttle, check with Blackwater Canoe Rental (850-623-0235) or Adventures Unlimited (850-623-6197). Both cater to paddlers but might have time to help you for a fee.
You can also join the Facebook group Florida Trail Hikers to ask if any local volunteers can be of assistance.
Hutton Unit trailhead near Blackwater Canoe RentalSafety
Fire
Fire is the top safety issue on this section. Frequent prescribed burns are used for forest management throughout Blackwater River State Forest.
The Forestry Service has a regular schedule set up. To avoid walking into a burn-in-progress, call them at 850-957-5700 and tell them your planned route.
All times of year, expect at least a portion of your hike to be through recently burned forest. You may encounter damaged infrastructure from uncontrolled burns.
Hillside in Hutton after a burnFlooding
Flooding can make hiking along the Blackwater River and its tributaries dangerous. Check the National Weather Service flood gauge.
There is no safe way to skirt flooding at Deaton Bridge if it occurs. Never enter flowing waters. If Deaton Bridge Road is closed due to flooding, this entire section is unsafe to hike.
Hunting
Wear a bright orange shirt or vest during hunting seasons in Blackwater River State Forest. Check the FWC website for hunting season dates.
Roadwalks
Roadwalks are limited to very short stretches on country roads, mainly to cross bridges.
People
This is a rural area where you won’t encounter a lot of people except at the developed recreation areas. Harassment has been reported at Shelter 2, which isn’t far from a road. Blackwater River State Forest is laced with forest roads and isn’t far from the urban spill of Pensacola, so people do drive out into the woods on weekends and whoop it up.
Trail Map
Mileages
Key mile markers south to north.
0.0 – Deer Lake Junction
1.9 – Burnt Grocery campsite +
2.9 – Miller Bluff trailhead
3.9 – US 90
7.6 – Hutton Unit trailhead junction
9.9 – Blackwater River State Park +$
14.0 – Football Field campsite +
15.2 – Bluffs campsite +
16.5 – Red Rocks Rd trailhead
23.0 – Shelter 2 campsite +
23.4 – Bear Lake junction
24.6 – SR 4
29.1– Blackwater Shelter +
33.1– Karick Lake junction
38.3 – Hurricane Lake South +$
39.1– Hurricane Lake North +$
45.5 – Alabama state line
$ fee charged. + designated campsite. * permit needed.
Trail Segments
Details about all segments of the Florida Trail in this section are in The Florida Trail Guide and app. The hikes below include most of the segments for Blackwater.
Each is described from the perspective of a day hiker, noting landmarks, water, and campsites along the way. Not all are oriented from south to north, but this is the order they are in northbound.
Florida Trail, Hutton An exceptionally scenic hike, the Hutton section of the Florida Trail navigates distinctive landscapes though clayhills, ravines, and pitcher plant bogs amid thick stands of pine. 
Florida Trail, Juniper Creek 7.3 miles. Also known as the Juniper Creek Trail, the Florida Trail at Juniper Creek is a gorgeous place to explore, with its panorama at Red Rocks and botanical delights along and above the creek basin.
Florida Trail, Jackson Red Ground Trail 16.6 miles. On the very first trail built in Blackwater River State Forest, the Florida Trail rises up from the red clay bluffs of Juniper Creek to enter extensive longleaf pine forests.
Florida Trail, Wiregrass Trail 12.3 miles. On the northernmost segment of the Florida Trail, connecting to the greater Eastern Continental Trail at the state line with Alabama, the Wiregrass Trail immerses you in longleaf pine forests northeast of Pensacola.Side Trails
Trails that interconnect with and sometimes share a portion of the Florida Trail route.
Florida Trail, Yellow River Ravines 10.9 miles. An acrobatic adventure, the Florida Trail Yellow River Ravines section between Holt and Milton tosses tricky swamp traverses and creative creek crossings your way.
Chain of Lakes Trail Featuring white sandy beaches, pine forests, and swamps alongside a lazy river, this loop along the Blackwater River provides an excellent opportunity for relaxation.
Bear Lake Trail At Blackwater River State Forest, each of the recreation areas offers access to hiking, and popular Bear Lake is no exception. A 3.8-mile trail loops around this impounded reservoir, which flows into Sweetwater Creek. 
Karick Lake Loop Crossing a series of boardwalks over creeks and a bog laden with rare carnivorous plants, the Karick Lake Loop at Blackwater River State Forest makes an excellent day hike for campers and day visitors. Public Lands
Public lands this section of the Florida Trail crosses.
Blackwater River State Park Stunning white sand beaches along the Blackwater River tempt swimmers during the warm months and paddlers and hikers all year to this state park east of Milton.
Blackwater River State Forest At Blackwater River State Forest near Milton, immerse yourself in the largest state forest in Florida: 190,000 acres surrounding the Blackwater River and its tributaries. Connections
This section of the Florida Trail adjoins to the south.
Florida Trail, Eglin One of the most compelling sections of the Florida Trail for backpackers, the 98.3 miles through Eglin offers rugged elevation changes and crystalline waterways.Suggested Articles
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