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Orange blaze on large tree next to creek

Florida Trail, Holton Creek

Crossing scenic karst landscapes alongside sinkholes and around its namesake spring, the Holton Creek section of the Florida Trail provides botanical and geologic immersion.

Florida Trail, Suwannee  |  Live Oak
( 30.438900, -83.057213 )      5.6 miles

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Home to dense bluff forests, karst outcrops, and a sizable spring off the beaten path, Holton Creek Conservation Area is truly a hidden beauty spot.

Florida Trail hikers have known about it for decades. On these public lands, the footpath breaks away from the Suwannee River to follow Holton Creek to its source.

Man in orange shirt peering across spring Hiker overlooking Holton Spring


Steep-sided and deep, the spring doesn’t invite swimming. Nor do the water-filled sinkholes, losing streams, and karst windows within sight of the blazes.

Lushly shaded by second-growth forest, this preserve hides botanical beauty and history beneath its leafy understory, where remnants of the turpentine industry may be found.

Big cypress An ancient cypress in Holton Creek


While many hikers traverse this Florida Trail segment as part of an overnight trip from Suwannee Springs to Gibson Park, Holton Creek offers day hikers several access points.

Plan an out-and-back trip from Gibson Park, Hunt Camp trailhead, or Holton Spring trailhead, or stage cars for a day hike between River Camp and Gibson Park.

Green covers a sinkhole The eerie beauty of Green Sink


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover 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

Location: Jasper
Length: 5.6 miles linear
Trailhead: 30.438900, -83.057213
Fees: Free
Restrooms: Yes, at Gibson Park and River Camp
Land manager: Suwannee River Water Management District
Phone: 386-362-1001

Open 24 hours. Leashed dogs permitted. Hikers should research seasonal hunting seasons in Holton Creek WMA in advance and wear bright orange clothing if planning to hike during hunts.

Reservations and a fee are now necessary for use of Holton Creek River Camp. Gibson Park charges a modest fee for camping. Other campsites along the trail are free.

Tall swamp chestnut oak


Directions

 
The ending point is Gibson Park, a popular riverfront campground in Suwannee County. It lies immediately north of the Suwannee River and can be reached from Interstate 75 at Jennings by following SR 6 west for 3.2 miles, and CR 751 south for 3.3 miles. Alternatively, follow CR 249 north from downtown Live Oak for 12.8 miles to reach Gibson Park.
 
The starting point is inside Holton Creek WMA. From Gibson Park turn right on CR 249 immediately past the agricultural check station and drive 0.9 mile to the entrance road to Holton Creek WMA. Turn right and follow that road into the main gate. Beyond the hunt check station, the road narrows and becomes one lane in spots, but it eventually ends at Holton Creek River Camp. Parking there is day use only. Backpackers should park at Holton Spring trailhead.

Hike

Begin your hike at Holton Creek River Camp, an expansive complex with well-kept tent sites and shelters for backpackers and paddlers.

A blue-blazed side trail from the parking area is worth the additional half-mile round trip to see Florida’s two largest cypress trees at the bottom of a sinkhole.

Massive base of cypress with hikers
Two hikers (for size) near the base of the more approachable of the two Florida co-champion cypress at Holton Creek Conservation Area

Orange blazes lead along the rocky bluffs through River Camp with nice views of the Suwannee River.

Large live oak branches arch overhead, covered in resurrection ferns and Spanish moss.

Live oak over the Suwannee Suwannee River


Grasses border the leaf-strewn path as it winds through a shady hardwood hammock.

Tangles of thick grapevines weave across the canopy overhead and clusters of palmettos dot the forest floor.

Broad sandy beach on river Sandy beach at River Banks


After 1.2 miles, the trail reaches a large flat riverside beach called River Banks that hikers sometimes use as a resting or camping spot.

Within a quarter mile, the footpath leaves the river. After it crosses the forest road that provides vehicle access to River Camp, the terrain changes dramatically.

blaze on a big tree A towering swamp chestnut oak


Huge pines and oaks tower over a rolling landscape of ancient sinkholes and depressions, some of which hold water and stands of cypress.

Crossing the access road a second time, the trail leads into the dense woods. It soon reaches the banks of Holton Creek.

Puddle among cypress trees and knees Cypress depression


Tracing the edge of a long, linear karst depression, the trail makes a large horseshoe around it, drawing close to the access road to circle it.

Returning to steep banks above the creek, it showcases surprisingly tannic waters much like the Suwannee River.

Ditch like creek The waters of Holton Creek


Passing by a large open area sometimes used by groups for camping, watch for a massive cypress emerging from the dark waters of the creek.

Up ahead, when the trail begins an arc to the right, a lesser-used path straight ahead leads to a steep beach at the base of the outflow of the spring.

Palm and vines Where Holton Spring flows into its creek


Watch for gaping holes in the karst right off the footpath as the trail circles the bluff above the spring pool.

A blue-blazed side trail at 2.2 miles leads to the right to the Holton Spring trailhead along the access road.

Spring well below a bluff Holton Spring from its rim


The main pool of Holton Spring is visible from different angles as the trail circles around its north edge before heading westward.

A losing stream vanishes into a sinkhole into the deeply shaded forest to the right of the trail.

Deep green woods with deep ravine in foreground Deep cleft in the earth where an ephemeral waterway vanishes


Crossing an old access road to a long-closed campground a quarter mile past Holton Spring, the trail passes a karst window known as Green Sink.

This type of sinkhole is unique, as a cavity created by collapsed limestone reveals the subterranean river below.

karst window Green Sink without a green coating


The landscape becomes damper as the trail continues west, climbing beneath magnolia and sweetgum trees.

At 2.8 miles, the trail reaches an access point along the access road before it enters planted pines, slated to be cut in 2022.

Clay road and blue paint on pine Blue marked pine along the trail


Two more forest road crossings punctuate this stretch of former pine plantation.

Beyond the second is a hardwood forest where jack-in-the-pulpit nestle along rotted logs and the leaves of Florida dogwoods provide shade.

Jack-in-the-pulpit next to a log Jack-in-the-pulpit


At 4.2 miles, faded blue blazes lead east to the Hunt Check Station trailhead, or you can use the forest road just beyond it.

A half mile later, cross a sandy forest road, SW 68th Dr, that leads to residences along the Suwannee River.

Scrub type trees and sand Trail past the sand road


As the trail ascends slightly in its approach to CR 751, the ecosystem becomes drier. The habitat may have once been sandhill, as sporadic turkey oaks line the trail.

The final mile crosses undulating terrain through thick stands of slash pine before reaching the highway across from Gibson Park at 5.6 miles.

Footpath in pines Trail through the pines


NORTHBOUND: Alapaha
SOUTHBOUND: Suwannee Springs to Holton Creek River Camp

Red roof pavilion beneath trees Picnic pavilion at Gibson Park


Trail Map

Florida Trail Holton Creek Trail Map


Explore More!

Learn more about the Florida Trail Suwannee section

No Name Creek

Florida Trail, Suwannee

74.8 miles. Along the Suwannee River, the Florida Trail clings to bluffs and scrambles through ravines for physical challenges and great scenery

Video


Slideshow

See our photos of Holton Creek WMA


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Tannic colored river with sand banks

Florida Trail, Alapaha

7.7 miles. Along the limestone-bordered waters of the Alapaha and Suwannee Rivers, the Alapaha section of the Florida Trail explores unique geography within a densely forested landscape.

Suwannee River view through trees

Florida Trail Suwannee Springs to Holton Creek

Following tall river bluffs with geologic wonders, the Suwannee Springs to Holton Creek section of the Florida Trail provides stunning views of the limestone-bordered waters of the Suwannee.

Limestone formation along the Suwannee River

Suwannee River State Park

Perched on the bluffs at the confluence of the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers, Suwannee River State Park is one of those don’t-miss Florida outdoors experiences, with two ghost towns, Civil War battlements that once protected a strategic railroad bridge, and the ruins of a former governor’s riverfront mansion.

View of railroad bridge and rivers from peninsula

Big Oak Trail

The Big Oak Trail is one of the most scenic hikes in North Florida. Much of the hiking parallels the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, which meet here at a confluence.

Trail Map (PDF) Hunt Dates Reserve Shelter/Campsite Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, North Florida, Trails, Water Management Areas, Wildlife Management AreasTag: Big Trees, Botanical, Dog-friendly, Florida Trail, FT Suwannee, Jasper, Live Oak, Primitive Camping, Sinkholes, Suwannee River, Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

Have an update? Contact us.

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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

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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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