Hiking Florida Trail, Hutton Unit

One of the largest forests in the state, Blackwater State Forest protects more than 213,000 acres of land in the Western Panhandle near Milton.

Although the trail through the Hutton Unit is blazed with blue instead of the typical orange blaze, it is a section of the Florida Trail.

The unique topography and vegetation make this a popular spot for day hiking and backpacking.

Rounded bench along the footpath

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover

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Overview

Location: Harold
Length: 5.2 mile linear
Trailhead: 30.654909, -86.888359
Address: Pond Rd, Milton, FL 32583
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Florida Forest Service
Phone: 850-957-5700

Open 24 hours. Designated primitive campsite available. Leashed dogs welcome.

Seasonal hunting occurs. If you plan to hit the trails here, check ahead regarding hunt dates.

Directions

From Interstate 10 exit 31, Milton, follow SR 87 north for one mile. Turn right on US 90 and drive 5.2 miles east. Turn left on Pond Rd, immediately before the small community of Harold on the right. The southernmost trailhead nearly adjoins the railroad crossing you go over. The two other trailheads are along Deaton Bridge Rd, the next road on the left off US 90 past Pond Rd.

Hike

Starting at the parking area, follow blue blazes northward as the trail enters the woods, passing a sign indicating the start of the Blackwater trails.

After a short jaunt under forested canopy, the path opens to a scrubby clayhill habitat.

Blackwater trails sign

A well-defined sandy path weaves through this dry environment, home to skyblue lupine, persimmons, and prickly pear cacti.

Meandering across an open space, the trail turns to the left and into a forest of pine.

Fuzzy and open blooms in lilac colors of lupine

Skyblue lupine

Several unique structures built by the Florida Trail Association are along the path, including rounded benches and a 90-degree walkway over Tiny Creek.

As the trail takes a jog to the east, it rises slightly, crossing a road that leads west to Summit Camp and offering views over the surrounding countryside.

Tiny Creek bridge

Shortly after descending the hill, the trail is bordered to the right by a bog covered in white pitcher plants and bracken fern.

Pitcher plants are an intriguing carnivorous form of vegetation that capture insects to thrive in nutrient-poor soils.

White-top pitcher plants

Continuing northward, the trail cuts through a dense carpet of brackens under young pines and turkey oaks.

Scorch marks on the tree trunks serve as a reminder of how often this habitat is subjected to controlled burns.

Blue blazes through the pines

The topography quickly becomes more rugged alongside seasonal creeks that drain to Blackwater River. An unmarked forest road to the right leads to the equestrian trailhead for the Hutton Unit, a half mile SE across from Blackwater Canoe Rental.

After crossing a bridge over a dry ravine, a sign indicates a little trail that heads down to a steephead ravine created by a clear spring run. Wild azaleas flourish in the wet areas around this little oasis.

Native pinxter azalea in bloom

In a half mile, the trail enters Blackwater River State Park, tracing a path through an area of longleaf pine restoration.

This section is also burned regularly to help restore the habitat along the south side of the river.

Light filters through burned pine needles on trees

Charred longleaf pines

The trail continues through forest for the next 0.2 mile before taking a left onto Deaton Bridge Road, reaching the trailhead in another 0.2 mile.

Deaton Bridge crosses Blackwater River, offering views of this tannic waterway and its sandy shorelines. The Juniper Creek Trail starts from the trailhead north of the river bridge.

Blackwater River

Trail Map

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Blackwater River State Forest

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