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White and orange blazes on longleaf pine in forest

Florida Trail, Nice Wander Loop

In the Osceola National Forest, this short loop along the Florida Trail adjacent to Olustee Battlefield is one of the easiest places in the state to see red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida  |  Osceola National Forest
( 30.212617, -82.389083 )      1.7 miles

253 shares

Having been present for the ribbon cutting of the Nice Wander Trail, it’s a delight to know that this loop along the Florida Trail remains a popular destination for birders.

In 2006, it was touted as an accessible-with-assistance natural surface trail, but the firm-packed base it was built on has not stood the test of time.

On our last hike here, marshy spots, sandy spots, and deadfall meant that only the part of the trail on FR 208, a graded road, might remain accessible with assistance.

However, immersion in the longleaf pine forest — especially to see a nesting colony of red-cockaded woodpeckers — continues to make this a compelling day hike.

Graded surface of FR 208 This graded surface along FR 208 provides one half of the loop


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

The Florida Trail Guide book cover North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide 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: Olustee
Length: 1.7 mile loop
Trailhead: 30.212617, -82.389083
Address: Battlefield Trail Road, Sanderson
Fees: Free
Restroom: At state park visitor center
Land Manager: Osceola Ranger District
Phone: 386-752-2577

Open daily sunrise to sunset. No entrance fee except during special events at Olustee Battlefield.

Leashed dogs welcome. Foot travel only. Wear blaze orange during hunting season. Bring bug spray, sunscreen, and plenty of water.

Primitive camping is allowed in Osceola National Forest. Random camping is allowed except during deer hunting season. Bear bags or canisters must be used at all times.

Boardwalk with ferns at base of pines


Directions

 
From Interstate 10 west from Jacksonville, use exit 324 at Sanderson to follow US 90 west for 5.5 miles to the entrance to Olustee Battlefield. From Interstate 75 exit 427, Lake City, drive 18.6 miles east on US 90 to the state park entrance. After you cross the railroad tracks, the trailhead is immediately to your left.

Hike

Start your hike by crossing a short bridge to the trailhead kiosk. Follow the blue blazes past the fire tower at Olustee Battlefield and the picnic grounds.

Beyond the picnic grounds is a historic cemetery between the forest and US 90, a resting place that adjoins the old railroad line that the highway parallels.

Large trailhead kiosk with map Trailhead kiosk at the Olustee trailhead


Control of that rail line railroad tracks brought two armies together at this spot in 1864 in Florida’s largest Civil War battle.

Blue blazes meet orange where the Florida Trail makes its own arc past the cemetery as it comes in from the west and boomerangs northwest.

White and orange blazes on longleaf pine in forest
The Nice Wander Loop is blazed white along its length.

Join the orange and white blazes down the footpath into the longleaf pine forest. The understory is very open with only scattered patches of saw palmetto.

As the forest becomes denser, listen closely, and you can hear the tap of woodpeckers on pine trunks.

Longleaf pine forest In the longleaf pine forest


After 0.4 mile, the trail reaches an intersection with a two-track road and the Loop A sign, which points to the return route to the left.

Only take that if you’re looking for the shortest possible loop of 0.8 mile. Otherwise continue straight ahead along the orange and white blazes.

Loop A sign in a forest that is on fire Crossover junction at the Loop A sign


Watch for the white-banded pines. These are the ones where the red-cockaded woodpeckers live, and you’re most likely to see them active at dawn.

This endangered species only nests in old-growth longleaf, and many of these banded trees are more than a century old.

red cockaded woodpecker on a pine trunk Red-cockaded woodpecker on a foggy morning


After a half mile, look up into the trees to see the sap dripping down the sides of the pines from the nest hole, looking much like candle wax.

Red-cockaded woodpeckers do this to protect the entrance to their nests from predators such as rat snakes.

Streaks like wax dripping on tree trunk The “candle wax” effect on a pine in this forest


Loop B turns off to the right. Continue straight. You can see a break in the trees to the left where a there is a seasonal marsh.

In this part of the pine forest, low spots that stay damp host clusters of carnivorous plants, including the very showy hooded pitcher plant.

Speckled leaves and blossoms of pitcher plants Hooded pitcher plant along the Nice Wander Trail


After 0.8 mile, the trail ascends a gently sloping boardwalk through a wet area. There are two benches on a platform here, a nice place for a break.

Past the platform, the trail emerges through saw palmetto out to a forest road, FR 208. It’s here that the orange and white blazes part ways.

Platform with build in benches Platform near the north end of the loop


To the left, the orange blazes of the Florida Trail lead northbound towards the Cobb Hunt Camp and Ocean Pond Campground, which is 4.9 miles north.

Following the white blazes, the Nice Wander Trail turns to the right onto FR 208.

Orange blaze and paper map on tree near forest road This double blaze marks where the Florida Trail continues north and the white blazes of the Nice Wander Loop turn south back towards the trailhead


Being on a forest road, the return walk is pretty straightforward and mostly in the sun. You meet the Loop B crossover at 1.1 miles, and the the Loop A crossover at 1.3 miles.

Passing some old cattle pens, you complete the Nice Wander Loop after 1.6 miles, meeting the blue blazes again.

Old cow pens under sparser pines Approaching Olustee Battlefield State Park


Continue through the gate and follow the forest road towards the picnic area at the tower. Watch for the boardwalk over to the trailhead.

Emerging from the cool shade of the oaks, you reach the trailhead and finish the hike after 1.7 miles.

Picnic area under oaks at Olustee fire tower The gap to the trailhead is straight ahead past these picnic tables


Connections

NORTHBOUND: Nice Wander to Ocean Pond (4.9 mi)
SOUTHBOUND: Olustee (1.9 mi)

Trail Map

Nice Wander Trail Map
Red: Nice Wander Loop. Blue: Olustee Battlefield Trail.

Explore More!

Learn more about Osceola National Forest

Longleaf pine forest

Osceola National Forest

The smallest of Florida’s national forests, the Osceola National Forest carries the weight of history hidden in its dense stands of longleaf pine.


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Olustee Battlefield

Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park

More than ten thousand soldiers met and fought in the longleaf pine forest at Olustee, the largest Civil War battle on Florida soil

Trampled Track Trail

Trampled Track Trail

An interpretive walk with extensive details on timbering history, the Trampled Track Trail leads to a waterfront view on Ocean Pond.

Mount Carrie Wayside

Mount Carrie Wayside

The short, easily accessed Mount Carrie Wayside in Osceola National Forest showcases an old growth longleaf pine forest with a population of red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Dense understory along hiking trail in pine flatwoods

Florida Trail, Ocean Pond to Turkey Run

An easy linear hike or round trip with a stop at the Florida Trail’s oldest shelter, this short segment of the Florida Trail in Osceola National Forest is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Trail Map (PDF) Hunt Dates Official Website

Category: Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, North Florida, Trails, Wildlife Management AreasTag: Accessible, Best Birding, Big Trees, Birding, Dog-friendly, Family-Friendly, Favorites, Florida Trail, FT NE Florida, Historic Sites, Lake City, Macclenny, National Forests, Notable Trees, Olustee, Osceola National Forest, Picnic

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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

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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.

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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.

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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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