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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Silver Creek, Eglin

Florida Trail, Titi

14.8 miles. Paralleling the floodplain of Titi Creek and its tributaries, this hike on the Florida Trail across Eglin will surprise you with its mature longleaf pine forests and its steep descents into creek basins.

Florida Trail, Eglin East  |  Eglin Air Force Base
( 30.7147,-86.376217 )      14.8 miles

119 shares

14.8 miles. Paralleling the floodplain of Titi Creek and its tributaries, this hike will surprise you with its many scenic creek crossings and rolling hills topped with longleaf pine.


Resources

Our books and apps covering this 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

Traversing the central uplands and creek basins of what was once Choctawhatchee National Forest, this lengthy day hike – or overnight backpacking trip – is a pleasant immersion in mature forests.

It is mostly distant from road noise, unlike the adjoining Catface section, which is scenic but noisy.

Titi Creek and its many tributaries define the relief in these clayhills, providing diversions from higher ground as you follow boardwalks through their floodplains and take a break on their bridges.

Near the halfway point, JR Walton Recreation Area provides the opportunity to break this hike into an overnight backpacking trip.


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 segment, from the interchange of SR 285 with Interstate 10, drive south on SR 285 for 2 miles to reach the Old SR 285 trailhead [30.714701, -86.376221] on the right. The approach to it is a little rough, and you’re essentially parking off road near the kiosk.
 
For the Pearl trailhead [30.687201, -86.571892] at the west end of this segment, take Interstate 10 to the SR 85 exit in Crestview. Drive south 3.1 miles, past all the hotels, and cross the bridges over the Shoal River. Get in the left lane. You’ll see a large FNST sign next to the road. Turn left at the turnout for Col. Greg Malloy Rd but make a U-turn instead to get in the northbound lanes of SR 85. A quarter mile north, look on the right for the unpaved entrance to the Pearl trailhead, which is down a short dirt road that parallels the highway.

Hike

Heading north from Old SR 285, the trail immediately immerses you in the clayhills that Eglin Air Force Base is known for. Deep, rich reds stain the earth beneath the pines.

Not far past RR 207 is the side trail to Speck Pond Recreation Area, which sits along SR 285 and is popular with car campers.

Dropping into the Gum Creek floodplain, the trail follows a series of bog bridges. Another descent brings you to Dog Creek, a better stop for filtering water.

Bridge over Big Fork Creek
Bridge over Big Fork Creek

Big Fork Creek is a highlight of this hike after 5 miles, with a large sturdy bridge and stairs to sit on. Descending from this point down to the Titi Creek floodplain, the trail joins RR 220 to access JR Walton Pond.

This is the first campsite along the route. This camping area is also shared by vehicles. There are nice views across the pond.

Silver Creek, Eglin
Silver Creek, Eglin

Dropping through more clayhills and stream drainages, you cross Honey Creek and Silver Creek before encountering a paved road, Colonel Greg Malloy Road, where there are some benches.

Two more creek crossings are ahead, bridged by puncheons, before you reach Pearl Campsite, the only backpackers-only camp along this segment.

Pretty Pearl Creek is a quarter mile past the campsite. The trail continues to descend and can be quite soggy at times before it emerges at the Pearl trailhead.

Learn more about the full Eglin East section of the Florida Trail. Titi is the westernmost portion of this hike.

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.

NORTHBOUND: Florida Trail, Crestview Roadwalk
SOUTHBOUND: Florida Trail, Catface

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

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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
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  • Eastern Continental Trail
  • Florida Trail in South Florida
  • Florida Trail in Central Florida
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  • 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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