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Florida Trail, Juniper Creek

Florida Trail, Juniper Creek

7.3 miles. Also known as the Juniper Creek Trail, the Florida Trail at Juniper Creek is a gorgeous place to explore, with its panorama at Red Rocks and botanical delights along and above the creek basin.

Florida Trail, Blackwater  |  Blackwater River State Forest
( 30.704369,-86.883247 )      7.3 miles

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7.3 miles. Also known as the Juniper Creek Trail, the Florida Trail along Juniper Creek is a gorgeous place to explore in springtime, when mountain laurel blooms in both pink and white and the dogwoods put on a show.

It rambles through both Blackwater River State Park and Blackwater River State Forest, showing off views of the creek intermittently sprinkled with swamp crossings and stretches of longleaf pine forest.


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

One of the most beautiful segments of the Florida Trail statewide, Juniper Creek makes an easy day hike between two cars placed at both ends, since access is via paved roads. Expect to get your feet wet in pine flatwoods and titi swamps.

It’s especially wet in the first few miles just north of where you begin the trail at the Blackwater Picnic Area up through the crossing at Indian Ford Road.

North of Indian Ford Creek, the trail spends much of its time on bluffs along the creek, with access to sandy beaches and a surprising panorama from deep red clay bluffs standing more than 65 feet tall above the creek at Red Rocks.

Florida Trail, Juniper Creek
Near the Bluffs Campsite along the Juniper Creek Trail

March and April are excellent times to hike this section because of the colorful wildflowers along the route. You’ll catch mounds of mountain laurel blooming in March, and pitcher plants draping their blossoms in early to mid-April.

In addition to wildflowers, keep alert for champion-sized Atlantic white cedar and impressive longleaf pines.

Two designated campsites are along the route, with the Bluffs campsite offering scenic views, beach access, and a rare Appalachian Trail-style shelter as well as space for tents.


Trip Planning

The Blackwater section was reblazed blue to indicate its status as an official side trail. You’ll still see orange blazes here and there along the route, and also in our older photos and video.

If you start your hike as described, from the recreation area inside Blackwater River State Park, a state park entrance fee applies. For an out-and-back hike, starting from the northern end of this section is better: free parking, more interesting scenery not far along the hike.

Frequent prescribed burns are used for forest management throughout Blackwater River State Forest. All times of year, expect at least a portion of your hike to be through recently burned forest. To avoid walking into an ongoing burn, call ahead to check on their schedule of planned burns along the Florida Trail, 850-957-5700.

FLOODING can make hiking along Juniper Creek, a major tributary for the Blackwater River, dangerous. Check National Weather Service flood gauge. This section is particularly sensitive to flooding as it is in the Juniper Creek floodplain. Do not enter flowing waters.

Wear a bright orange shirt or vest during hunting seasons in Blackwater River State Forest. Check the FWC website for hunting season dates.


Directions

 
For the southern trailhead, drive north from US 90 (east of Milton) up Deaton Bridge Rd at Harold for 3.6 miles to the parking on the left just after the bridge, within Blackwater River State Park. There is a $4 state park entrance fee for parking. You’ll find restrooms and picnic tables right near the entrance to the trail.
 
For the northern trailhead, follow SR 191 north from US 90 through Milton towards Munson to the turnoff for Red Rock Picnic Area on Red Rock Road. Cross the bridge and continue uphill 0.5 mile past the picnic area to the kiosk for the trail. The trailhead is just ahead on the right, with limited parking.

Hike

Since the trails of Blackwater River State Forest were established before they received National Scenic Trail designation as part of the Florida Trail, all of them retain their old names.

A sign at the picnic area in Blackwater River State Park calls your attention to the start of the Juniper Creek Trail, which is the Florida Trail route. It immediately dives into the floodplain forests along the river.

Florida Trail, Juniper Creek
In the floodplain where Juniper Creek meets the Blackwater River, the trail can be soggy

Puncheons cross most of the wet and muddy spots, but don’t be surprised if you need to wade a little.

Within the first mile, more signage points out the changes in land management – you walk out of the state park and into the state forest – before the trail enters an extensive longleaf pine forest.

By the time you are several miles in, north of Indian Ford Road and Alligator Creek, the trail swings out close to Juniper Creek under the deep shade of the thick forest where mountain laurel co-exists with cedars, sparkleberry, and southern magnolia.

It’s a magical place, with glimpses of the fast-moving stream and its scattered sand beaches through the trees, the trail undulating with the rugged terrain created by the ravines of feeder streams.

Most of the streams are bridged, but you will drop down through several titi swamps, jumping from puncheon to puncheon to keep out of the mud. Look for side trails leading to beaches on Juniper Creek, and the champion-sized trees overhead.

Florida Trail, Juniper Creek
Beach on Juniper Creek with smoke from a prescribed burn

As its name implies, Bluffs Campsite sits atop the bluffs above a bend in the creek at a particular picturesque location. Side trails lead to the shelter and to a beach that serves as a water source and swimming hole.

The next mile of trail is a wonderland of mountain laurel blossoms – in both white and pink – each March.

Watch for the worn path leading down to Red Rock Bluffs. This don’t-miss natural feature centers around a series of clay cliffs eroding down into the basin of Juniper Creek.

Florida Trail, Juniper Creek
Red Rocks Bluffs along the Juniper Creek Trail

The tip of it is deeply undercut in places, so watch your footing. Mountain laurel accents the cliffs.

It’s less than a half mile up to trail’s end at Red Rock Road, a paved road. The trailhead is uphill to the right. Across the road is a kiosk marking the start of the Jackson Red Ground Trail, the next segment of the Florida Trail northbound.

FLORIDA TRAIL NORTHBOUND: Jackson Red Ground Trail
FLORIDA TRAIL SOUTHBOUND: Hutton Unit


Explore More!

Learn more about the FT and Blackwater River State Forest

Florida Trail, Blackwater

45.5 miles. The Blackwater section of the Florida Trail walks you through Atlantic white cedar and longleaf pine forests, pitcher plant bogs and titi swamps en route to the Alabama border.

Blackwater River SF

Blackwater River State Forest

At Blackwater River State Forest near Milton, immerse yourself in the largest state forest in Florida: 190,000 acres surrounding the Blackwater River and its tributaries.


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Pitcher plant slope

Florida Trail, Hutton

An exceptionally scenic hike, the Hutton section of the Florida Trail navigates distinctive landscapes though clayhills, ravines, and pitcher plant bogs, encompassed in thick stands of pine.

Blackwater River State Park

Blackwater River State Park

Blackwater River State Park is the gateway to thousands of acres of public lands stretching northward to the Alabama border.

Florida Trail, Jackson Red Ground

Florida Trail, Jackson Red Ground Trail

16.6 miles. On the very first trail built in Blackwater River State Forest, the Florida Trail rises up from the red clay bluffs of Juniper Creek to enter extensive longleaf pine forests.

Narrow bridge Yellow River Ravines Florida Trail

Florida Trail, Yellow River Ravines

11.1 miles. For an acrobatic adventure on the Florida Trail, the Yellow River Ravines section between Holt and Harold tosses both tricky swamp traverses and creative creek crossings your way.

Forest Map (PDF) Hunt Dates Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, Northwest Florida, Trails, Wildlife Management AreasTag: Best Camping, Best Hikes, Big Trees, Birding, Blackwater River State Forest, Blackwater River State Park, Botanical, Dog-friendly, Favorites, Florida State Forests, Florida State Parks, Florida Trail, FT Blackwater, Geology, Hilly, Milton, Notable Trees, Pensacola, Pitcher Plants, Primitive Camping, Riverfront, Scenic Hikes, Wildflowers, Wildlife Viewing

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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.

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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.

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
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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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