For many years, one of the most scenic sections of the Florida Trail had been closed after a series of tidal surges damaged necessary infrastructure.
When the boardwalks washed away, using the route to cross these salt marshes was very hazardous, so a long road walk was established to circumnavigate.
Spring CreekPlans to fix this segment were developed over time, including the use of grant funds stemming from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
In June of 2026, the trail reopened with a spectacular new bridge crossing over the tidal creek and its picturesque marshes.
Interpretive sign next to the bridge (Jeff Glenn)Hiking in from a nearby trail crossing at Spring Creek Hwy is the easiest way to reach the creek, with a 3 mile round trip to the bridge and back.
If shuttling is an option, more gorgeous scenery awaits along a 5.5 mile linear trek northbound to the Purify Bay Trailhead.
Scouting Spring Creek before the new bridge was built (Sandra Friend)Our Florida Trail Books & Guides
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Overview
Location: Medart
Length: 5.5 miles
Trailhead: 30.098750, -84.327028
Address: Spring Creek Hwy, Crawfordville
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
Phone: 850-925-6121
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome, although it is dangerous due to the presence of alligators.
Arrange camping by permit at Marsh Point with St. Marks NWR in advance if you are backpacking the entire refuge.
Directions
From the intersection of SR 363 and US 319 south of Tallahassee, head south on SR 363 for 13.2 miles before turning right onto US 98. In 7.2 miles, make a left onto Spring Creek Hwy, continuing for three miles to the Florida Trail crossing, marked with small signs on the side of the road. There is room for a vehicle to pull off onto the grassy shoulder.
Hike
Starting at the signposted Spring Creek Hwy road crossing, orange blazes lead westward into the pine forest, passing a pretty pond to the south.
As the trail dips deeper into the floodplain, cabbage palms and magnolia appear alongside huge loblolly pines.
Flatwoods pondThe trail returns to high ground after crossing a small creek, where it turns to follow a winding forest road.
A mixed canopy of pine and oak casts dappled shade onto a wide pathway bordered with saw palmetto, blueberry bushes, and yaupon holly.
Forest roadThe forest opens up while rounding a bend at 1.4 miles and the bridge comes into view. Walk out onto the robust wooden walkway.
Ospreys chirp in the distance, and fiddler crabs skitter across dark, thick mud lining the waterway.
Spring Creek BridgeFrom this point, continue across the bridge for a linear hike, or turn around to retrace your footsteps for 1.4 miles back to Spring Creek Hwy for a 3.3 mile round trip.
A concrete picnic table emblazoned with the Florida Trail logo sits at the opposite end of the bridge, where orange blazes continue northbound along a forest road.
Bench on the west side of the bridge (Jeff Glenn)The trail turns off the road at 2.3 miles, before delving into a shrubby pine flatwoods environment with a scattering of palms and large live oaks.
In another mile, pass the Marsh Point campsite, a designated camping area in a clearing with benches and a picnic table.
Marsh Point CampsitePast the campsite, the trail leads out to Marsh Point, where needlerush filled salt marshes stretch out as far as the eye can see.
The pathway then bends to the north, following alongside a scenic winding tidal creek. Returning to the flatwoods, follow the trail west.
Marsh PointCross a series of seasonal streams before opening to a savanna covered with gallberry, lyonia, and a variety of colorful wildflowers.
Nearing 5.5 miles, turn left onto a blue blazed side trail, continuing for another tenth of a mile to finish at the Purify Bay trailhead.
Pine flatwoodsFLORIDA TRAIL NORTHBOUND: Purify Bay
FLORIDA TRAIL SOUTHBOUND: Porter Tract
Suggested Articles
Plan your Florida Trail Hike Thinking of section hiking, thru-hiking, or simply backpacking the Florida Trail? Plan ahead with this step-by-step guide of what to do in advance of hiking the Florida Trail. 
Florida Trail Backpacking Backpackers will appreciate the many places the Florida Trail provides a pleasant overnight, three-day-weekend, or multi-day hiking experience to escape to the outdoors.
Section Hiking the Florida Trail Section hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail provides some logistical challenges, but a sense of satisfaction in being able to complete an 1,100-mile walk across Florida at your own pace.
Thru Hike the Florida Trail A thru-hike in Florida takes sixty to ninety days across a surprising diversity of landscapes not found on other long distance trails in the United States.Trail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about the Big Bend section of the Florida Trail
Florida Trail, Big Bend Crossing rural farms and forests, this 116 mile segment of the Florida Trail reveals the secrets of the Aucilla River before tracing the Gulf coastline at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.Learn more about St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Stretching across 86,000 acres in Florida's Big Bend, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge protects one of Florida's longest wild shorelines, more than 43 miles in three counties.Video
Hiking the Florida Trail at Spring Creek
Slideshow
See our photos from this section
Nearby Adventures
Florida Trail, Shepherd Spring Visit a pair of natural treasures along the Forgotten Coast on this 6 mile hike along the Florida Trail within St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
Florida Trail, Sopchoppy 8.9 miles. Slipping through pine flatwoods and sandhills to the east of Sopchoppy, the Florida Trail plays tag with a network of forest roads that criss-crosses the southern portion of the Apalachicola National Forest.
Bald Point State Park From its namesake point at the Gulf of Mexico to the sandy heights of St. Teresa Bluffs, Bald Point State Park protects miles of waterfront along Ochlockonee Bay while providing extensive trails to roam.
Ochlockonee River State Park At Ochlockonee River State Park waters meet, the tidal bore of the estuary pushing upstream to meet two rivers draining the vast swamps of the Apalachicola National Forest.
- Sandhill Preserve - November 9, 2026
- Calusa Heritage Trail - November 5, 2026
- Scherer Thaxton Preserve - October 21, 2026