Part of a large swath of conservation land in the Panhandle that includes beachside state parks, Point Washington State Forest protects over 15,000 acres of sensitive habitats.
Anchored on the west end by the Longleaf Greenway Trailhead, the Longleaf Greenway Trail spans nearly half the length of the forest before ending at the Eastern Lake Trailhead.
Swamp boardwalk along the Longleaf Greenway TrailAdditional miles can be added to the hike by continuing onto the looped Eastern Lake Trail system, which hosts a set of primitive campsites.
Combining the two trails enables a backpacking trip of up to 26.7 miles. Or stage two cars to hike between the two trailheads as a day hike, described below.
The Longleaf Greenway Trail has its name for good reasonResources
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Overview
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Length: 7.9 miles linear
Trailhead: 30.353056, -86.221250
Address: Satinwood Dr, Santa Rosa Beach
Fees: $2 per vehicle
Restrooms: Vault toilets at trailheads
Land manager: Florida State Forests
Phone: 850-267-8325
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. Trail is shared with off-road cyclists.
Seasonal hunting occurs in this forest. Check hunt season dates beforehand and wear bright orange if you choose to hike or bike this trail during scheduled hunts.
Directions
For the start of the hike at the Longleaf Greenway Trailhead, follow CR 393 south from US 98 for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Sea Croft Dr. In a half mile, make a left onto Satinwood Dr and follow the dirt road for less than a tenth of a mile to the trailhead parking area. If you’re hiking between trailheads, this trail ends at the prominent Eastern Lake Trailhead (30.341861, -86.131278 ) along CR 395, which is 1.1 miles south of US 98.
Hike
Starting near the picnic pavilion at the Longleaf Greenway Trailhead, follow a narrow, pine needle strewn pathway leading northward.
The trail leads through a shady stand of trees for a short distance before emerging into a fire-managed sandhill community.
Covered tables at the trailheadWiregrass, false rosemary, bracken ferns, and palmettos cover the forest floor under a mix of pines and turkey oaks.
Showy red blossoms of scarlet calamint and vibrant purple vanillaleaf inflorescences stand out among a sea of green hues.
The path winds along an edge of wet flatwoods before curving to the east.
Sandhill pine savannaPatches of gulf coast lupine border the sandy pathway, easily recognized by their sage colored leaves and stalks of lavender tinted flowers that bloom in early spring.
Orange diamond shaped markers lead the way while the trail continues east, crossing a series of fire breaks and forest roads.
Lupines and scarlet calamintShortly after crossing a paved highway near the two mile mark, a wooden bridge leads over a slow moving, tannic creek that feeds into Big Redfish Lake.
Small benches placed sporadically along the route provide opportunities to rest and listen to songbirds and woodpeckers chirping in the canopy overhead.
Trailside benchReaching 3.4 miles, the trail has potential to flood while passing through a small patch of wet flatwoods.
After navigating a mosaic of basin swamps on a series of boardwalks and bridges, the trail crosses a busy highway at 5.3 miles, entering a section with oddly rowed pine trees.
Planted pinesStretching eastward across varied terrain, the route traverses dry uplands and basin swamps that drain into Western Lake, reaching a final road crossing at 7.5 miles.
Across the highway, the trail takes a sharp turn southward, passing through scrubby sandhills before finishing at the Eastern Lake Trailhead in a half mile.
Marker at the Eastern Lake trailheadIf you’re extending your hike into the loop trail system of the Eastern Lake Trail as a backpacking trip, reserve your campsite in advance.
Eastern Lake Trail A chain of three stacked loops that enable you to walk or ride up to 10.9 miles, the Eastern Lake Trail offers an immersion in Point Washington State Forest for hikers and cyclists.Trail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Point Washington State Forest
Point Washington State Forest Protecting the upland watersheds of the Coastal Dune Lakes along the South Walton coastline, Point Washington State Forest offers extensive offroad biking and hiking trails.Video
Hiking the Longleaf Greenway Trail
Nearby Adventures
Grayton Beach Flatwoods Trails The quieter side of Grayton Beach State Park is the perfect place for a walk in the woods to the north shore of Western Lake.
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