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Anise Creek

Florida Trail, Catface

14.2 miles. Climbing to the highest elevations along the Florida Trail, the challenging Catface section traverses hilly terrain along the northern edge of Eglin Air Force Base.

Florida Trail, Eglin East  |  Eglin Air Force Base
( 30.706369, -86.233582 )      14.2 miles

14.2 miles. Climbing to the highest elevations along the Florida Trail, the challenging Catface section leads hikers up and down steep hills and through pine flatwoods along the northern edge of Eglin Air Force Base.


Resources

Resources for exploring the area. Full details of hike in our guidebook Florida Trail Hikes.

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover Florida Trail small coffee table book North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide 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

Keeping close to the northern edge of Eglin Air Force Base, the Catface section is notable for its elevation changes.

It’s one of the few places along the Florida Trail where you do have to scramble down slopes and back up again in search of water and stream crossings.

Primarily crossing oak forests and stretches of Choctawhatchee sand pine, it is generally less botanically diverse than the adjoining segments, with the exception of Anise Creek, a hotbed of Florida star anise trees.

Most frequently tackled as an overnight backpacking trip, it offers two designated campsites along the route.

Trip Planning

All hikers must have a permit in advance of arriving at Eglin Air Force Base.

Day hikers and section hikers not continuing at least 50 miles beyond Eglin must obtain a $5 day use or $20 annual Outdoor Recreation permit. Obtain your permit online.

Eglin has a FREE permit for thru-hikers. After creating an online account and watching the required video via the link above, call them at 850-882-4165 to arrange your permit.

Before your hike, call 850-882-4164 or check the Public Access Map online to ensure the base is open: FPCON DELTA status means the base is closed to public access.

Eglin is an active military installation with ongoing training maneuvers. Aircraft may fly very low over the tree canopy and you may hear bombing.

Stay in the trail corridor and use established campsites. If you notice any sort of ordinance – rocket, bomb, hand grenade – do not approach it but note the location and call Eglin Security Forces at 850-882-2502 to report it.

Check hunt dates as a part of your trip planning, and always wear bright orange clothing during hunting seasons.


Directions

 
For the eastern access to this section, Alaqua trailhead is along Bob Sikes Road, 6.6 miles west of US 331 in Defuniak Springs. It has a sloped, somewhat rough parking area adjoining the kiosk. On the western end, the Old SR 285 trailhead is 2 miles south of Interstate 10 at Mossy Head.

Hike

Starting out from the Alaqua trailhead, the first half-mile plunges you down through a beech-magnolia forest into a rare wonderland of Florida star anise trees, which sport red blooms in early spring.

Climbing up into sand pine forests on the higher ridges, the trail continues along the highest elevations in this portion of Eglin Air Force Base.

There is even a sign to mark the highest elevation on the Florida Trail, found not far from Bull campsite. The water source for the campsite is an adventure to reach, given the steep slopes down to it.

Traversing the tops of forested sand ridges, the trail frequently slopes off into ravines below, leading you into them as each tributary crossing comes up. Some of these scrambles require stairs set into the sandy bluffs.

Water here is fresh and clear, a pleasure to find and filter. Dense vegetation clusters around the waterways in these steep-sided ravines.

In the high spaces between them, sand pine – and former sand pine plantations undergoing restoration to clayhill habitat – is the most common forest you’ll traverse, with puffs of seafoam colored deer moss sprouting from the pine duff.

As elevations begin to drop, the trail settles into some marshy areas, particularly as it approaches the branches of Hog Creek. Bog bridges generally prevent wet feet.

Red Deer campsite is the second campsite along this segment, and has more pleasant wooded areas in which to pitch a tent.

Both campsites – and much of this segment of trail – suffer from proximity to Interstate 10. Noise carries, especially after dark.

Dropping down and over Red Deer and Wise Creeks, the trail crosses SR 285 and follows the crumbling asphalt of the old highway for a stretch before this section ends at the Old SR 285 trailhead.

NORTHBOUND: Florida Trail, Titi
SOUTHBOUND: Florida Trail, Alaqua


Explore More!

Learn more about the Florida Trail, Eglin

Eglin Weaver Creek

Florida Trail, Eglin

98.3 miles. One of the most compelling sections of the Florida Trail for backpackers, Eglin offers rugged elevation changes and crystalline waterways.


Slideshow

See our photos of Catface section, Florida Trail Eglin Air Force Base


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Ladder up a bluff

Florida Trail, Eglin East

41.8 miles. Simultaneously rugged and scenic: that’s the beauty of a backpacking trip across the Alaqua, Catface, and Titi sections of the Florida Trail in Eglin Air Force Base.

Florida Trail, Eglin Alaqua

Florida Trail, Alaqua

12.8 miles. With significant botanical beauty, rugged climbs, and nice campsites, the Alaqua section of the Florida Trail in Eglin Air Force Base is one of the most scenic parts of the trail statewide.

Florida Trail Nokuse longleaf pines

Florida Trail, Nokuse

27.7 miles. Spanning from the Choctawhatchee River west to the boundary of Eglin Air Force Base, Nokuse is a compelling backpacker’s destination in the Florida Panhandle.

Turkey Creek Boardwalk

Turkey Creek Walk

Centered on a broad boardwalk trail that showcases a clear, healthy tannic stream, the Turkey Creek Walk is a family park in Niceville where tubing is part of the fun

Maps (PAM and Trail) Hunt Dates Reserve Campsite Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, Military Reservations, Northwest Florida, TrailsTag: Best Florida Trail Backpacking, Botanical, Crestview, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida Trail, FT Eglin, Hilly, Mossy Head, Primitive Camping

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Our Florida Trail Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideThe comprehensive mile-by-mile guidebook to planning section and thru-hikes along the entire length of the Florida Trail. 356 pages, $19.95 + tax and shipping.

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Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail HikesFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail, plus nine of the best section hikes. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

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Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
Our virtual walk along the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

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The Florida Trail

Florida Trail large coffee table book cover of trail down swamp causeway under ancient pines

Our history of the first 50 years of the Florida Trail, from its founding in 1966 to becoming a National Scenic Trail to volunteer efforts today.

Learn More

The Florida Trail App

Comprehensive logistics and offline maps all in one: The Florida Trail Guide is now also an interactive map-based mile-by-mile app by Guthook Guides.

Get the App!

Florida Trail Updates


Get periodic recaps of changes to the Florida Trail, which we accumulate between editions of our guidebook. Find all official Trail Closures & Notices here.

Hiking the Florida Trail

  • Florida Trail Overview
  • Plan your Hike
  • Choose the Right Gear
  • Best Scenic Hikes
  • Best Backpacking Trips
  • Section Hiking
  • Thru-Hiking
  • Eastern Continental Trail
  • Florida Trail in South Florida
  • Florida Trail in Central Florida
  • Florida Trail in North Florida
  • Florida Trail in Northwest Florida
  • Florida Trail for Scouting
  • Florida Trail Adventures
  • Florida Trail Updates

Florida Trail by Section

Porter Lake, Apalachicola National Forest

Florida Trail, Apalachicola

Florida Trail, Apalachicola
Florida Trail Big Bend view

Florida Trail, Big Bend

Florida Trail, Big Bend
Florida Trail Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Blackwater

Florida Trail, Blackwater
Florida Trail Nokuse

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle
Eglin Weaver Creek

Florida Trail, Eglin

Florida Trail, Eglin
Florida Trail Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee
Florida Trail at Rice Creek

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida
Juniper Prairie Wilderness

Florida Trail, Ocala

Florida Trail, Ocala
Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail
Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee
Florida Trail at Forever Florida

Florida Trail, Orlando

Florida Trail, Orlando
Florida Trail Seashore Dunes

Florida Trail, Seashore

Florida Trail, Seashore
Florida Trail along a canal south of Clewiston

Florida Trail, Seminole

Florida Trail, Seminole
No Name Creek

Florida Trail, Suwannee

Florida Trail, Suwannee
Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

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