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Florida rosemary and sandpine

Florida Trail, Eaton Creek to CR 316

11.9 miles. North of Eaton Creek, the Florida Trail showcases spectacular sand pine forests and unique species adapted to this arid environment within the Big Scrub.

Florida Trail, Western Corridor  |  Ocala National Forest
( 29.269437, -81.87353 )      11.9 miles

The lesser-known Western Corridor of the Florida Trail traverses the Ocala National Florida from its southwest corner to a junction with the Eastern Corridor directly north of the 88 Store.

Spanning over 20 miles, the swampy landscape of the first ten miles stands in direct contrast to this northern half, which is almost devoid of water.

Starting at a primordial creekside jungle, the trail heads northward through the scrub as pines sway in the breeze over seas of fluffy green reindeer moss.

Deer moss sand pines Dense sand pine scrub


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

The Florida Trail Guide book cover Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Hiking Trails of Floridas National Forests Parks Preserves book cover Florida Trail small coffee table book

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: Lake Eaton
Length: 11.9 miles linear
Trailhead: 29.269437, -81.87353
Address: NE 170th Ave, Silver Springs
Fees: Free
Restrooms: No
Land manager: US Forest Service
Phone: 352-625-2520 – Lake George Ranger District

Leashed dogs welcome. Bicycles not permitted.

Carry enough water for your hike as no sources are available along this section.

Be aware of hunting seasons and wear blaze orange during hunts. No camping is permitted along this section during fall general gun (deer hunting) season.

Bear bagging is required when you are random camping. Bears are active in the Ocala National Forest.

Rosemary in sand pine scrub


Directions

 
Eaton Creek trailhead: From the intersection of SR 40 and CR 314 at Nuby’s Corner, drive north on CR 314 for 8.4 miles to NE 172nd Ave, just north of CR 314A. Turn right. The trailhead is a half mile up the road on the right.
 
CR 316 trailhead: Follow CR 314 north for 6.4 miles from the turnoff for the Eaton Creek trailhead to FR 11 (former FR 88) just south of Salt Springs. Turn left and drive 3.5 miles to the junction with CR 316. The trailhead is on the left at the former hunt station.

Hike

At the Eaton Creek Trailhead, take note of the informational kiosk, and look for a blue blaze at the south end of the parking area.

Follow the blue connector trail for 0.1 mile to an intersection with the Florida Trail.

North South sign Directional sign


To the right is a bridge over a dark tannic waterway known as Eaton Creek in about a tenth of a mile.

It is worth the short detour for the scenes of tranquil slow-moving waters within a jungle-like setting. To begin the hike towards the Eastern Corridor junction instead, turn left.

Vegetation lined creek Eaton Creek


After crossing a paved road in 0.1 mile, orange blazes lead down a former railroad grade, a wide, sandy pathway lined with thick shrubby vegetation.

Gnarled live oak branches extend overhead, providing a partially shaded tunnel through the scrub habitat.

Straight trail in scrub Scrub tunnel


The trail crosses CR 314 at the two-mile mark, then heads north through dense scrub for a half mile before approaching a small clearing.

This open area is an ideal spot for camping, offering flat spaces to set up a tent under the dark, star filled skies of the national forest.

Open area for camping Clearing in the woods


Heading northward, the trail skirts along a depression associated with nearby Mud Lake.

Although the lake is never visible through the trees, the presence of the lake can be felt in the sloping terrain.

Under a thick canopy, the leaves carpet the ground, providing an ideal home for a multitude of insects and arthropods.

Millipede on log Millipede


Leaving the lake, the trail takes a considerable ascent for Floridian standards as the habitat transitions from oak hammock to scrub.

The path winds through scrub live oak and saw palmettos, beneath stands of sand pines curiously leaning in the same direction.

Bending sand pines Sand pine scrub


As the landscape progressively becomes drier, lichens such as reindeer moss begin to proliferate, neatly bordering the trail at first, before eventually covering the entire forest floor.

Twisted branches of slow-growing rusty lyonia trees reach towards patches of sunlight while blazing stars nod in the breeze, the ends of their stalks covered in bright purple flowers.

Sand pine forest Lichens and mosses in the Big Scrub


Turkey oaks begin to dot the landscape and the surrounding vegetation thins while scrub transitions to sandhill habitat.

A panorama of slowly rolling wiregrass-covered hills extend in every direction. Charred pines stand tall over sumac, beautyberry, and persimmon trees.

Pine with orange blaze and open habitat under pines Sandhill habitat


Traversing the sandhills for a little over half a mile, a lone kiosk stands in the middle of the forest.

This spot marks the confluence of the western and eastern corridor of the Florida Trail, a major decision point for through-hikers heading southbound.

From here, CR 316 is a tenth of a mile north, or a short jaunt southward for 0.4 mile on the Eastern Corridor leads to the 88 Store.

NORTHBOUND: 88 Store to Lake Delancy
SOUTHBOUND: CR 314 to Eaton Creek

Hiker at junction kiosk Eastern Corridor Junction


Trail Map

FT Eaton Creek to Eastern Corridor Trail Map


Explore More!

Learn more about the Western Corridor of the Florida Trail

Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

241 miles. With segments linking Withlacoochee State Forest and the Cross Florida Greenway, the Western Corridor provides access to wild spaces between Tampa and Ocala


Slideshow

See our photos of the Florida Trail, Eaton Creek North


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Scrub forest Lake Eaton Sinkhole

Lake Eaton Sinkhole Trail

Go deep into the Ocala National Forest on a staircase leading into a massive sinkhole along the Lake Eaton Sinkhole Trail, a 1.8 mile loop in the Big Scrub

Lake Eaton

Lake Eaton Trail

Gently descending from ancient dunes down to the forested shores of its namesake lake, the 2.3-mile Lake Eaton Trail provides a great deal of habitat diversity in a short hike

Florida Trail sinkhole near Delancy

Florida Trail, Kerr Island to Lake Delancy

6.4 miles. Across a mosaic of sandhills and scrub, expect black bear and scrub-jay sightings on this Florida Trail segment north of Salt Springs

Crooked boardwalk through swamp

Florida Trail, CR 314 to Eaton Creek

11.4 miles. In the damp southwest corner of the Ocala National Forest, the Florida Trail navigates boardwalks across a swampy subtropical jungle.

Hunt Dates Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, North Florida, TrailsTag: Birding, Botanical, Dog-friendly, Florida Trail, FT Ocala West, FT Western Corridor, National Forests, Ocala, Ocala National Forest, Salt Springs, Wildlife Viewing

Reader Interactions

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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.

Order Now


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.

Order Now


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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