Only a tenth of a mile north of the salty shores of Santa Rosa Sound, this 25 acre preserve protects upland natural habitats.
Beyond the expected coastal hammock, Oak Tree Nature Park has pine flatwoods, scrub, bayhead, and a titi-lined stream dropping down the sand ridge.
Footpath through coastal hammockResources
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Overview
Location: Mary Esther
Length: 0.9 mile loop
Trailhead: 30.413460, -86.665778
Address: 200 Hollywood Blvd West, Mary Esther
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land manager: City of Mary Esther
Phone: 850-243-3566 ext 10
Open dawn to dusk. Leashed pets welcome. No smoking. Bicycles not permitted. Bring insect repellent. A picnic pavilion adjoins the parking corral.
Directions
From downtown Fort Walton Beach, follow US 98 west past Eglin Pkwy 3.4 miles to Doolittle Blvd. Turn right. At the traffic circle, take the second exit to head west on Hollywood Blvd. Watch for the trailhead entrance on the left, just before the post office.
Hike
Yellow signs with rules and a trail map call your attention to the start of the trail near the exit end of the parking area.
Follow a well-worn sand path beneath oaks and pines to a trail junction and bear left to start clockwise around the loop.
The loop starts at this junctionCovered in soft pine duff, the footpath makes for easy walking as you pass a grove of southern magnolias.
Numbered markers correspond to an interpretive trail guide the city makes available for download.
The broad pathways are easy to followMarker 4 calls attention to yaupon holly near the next T junction. Turn right; the path to the left exits to Doolittle Blvd.
The understory of oaks and saw palmetto under the pines opens to reveal tall, slender loblolly pines and tall magnolias.
Bench halfway between side trailsWhen the canopy closes in, sand live oaks cast shade inside the coastal hammock. Pass a bench before another marked side trail to Doolittle Blvd.
At 0.2 mile, coming to a junction with a sign pointing out the direct route to Silver Sands Creek, go the opposite way.
Bear right at the junction with the signFlanked by fluffy young sand pines, this cross-trail ascends to high ground. Patches of deer moss swarm across the leaf litter in the scrubby understory.
Nearing the floodplain of the creek, sand live oaks arch overhead as the forest becomes denser.
Patch of deer mossMarker 29 points out an outstanding specimen of southern magnolia surrounded by a thicket of its offspring.
Past a broad trunk of a towering pine, a bench provides perspective to stare up at the tall trees above.
Interpretive sign before the bench at the pineMeet the next T junction. This time, follow the sign to Silver Sands Creek, passing between two enormous pines on the approach to the bridge.
At this edge of the preserve, it’s a tea-colored waterway with sand ripples evident in its shallow basin.
Silver Sands CreekStained brown by tannins from oak leaves, it flows steadily in its narrow channel. Crossing the bridge, climb to higher ground, the forest densely packed with oaks and magnolias.
Pass by a bench before a curve, the understory opening up with light streaming in from the south.
Spur trail to US 98At 0.4 mile, a junction with a map indicates the trail to the right connects to the sidewalk along US 98, within view of Santa Rosa Sound.
Continue past the junction under mature oaks and magnolias as the trail curves inward from its southernmost point.
Observation deck after curveAn observation deck at a half mile hovers over a bluff above the basin carved by Silver Sands Creek. To the sounds of splashing water, cross a lengthy boardwalk high above the creek.
The waterway spills from a tangle of bayhead and titi to cascade over tree roots, heading towards the sound.
Bridge over Silver Sands Creek floodplainIn the upland forest beyond it, a side path leads to the edge of the obvious bluff dropping off into the creek basin. According to signage, this preserve protects an archaeological site.
Perhaps ancient peoples lived on this high ground above the sound; a preserved temple mound in Fort Walton Beach is only four miles east.
Corner of the forest atop a bluffSand pines infiltrate the sand live oaks, a co-mingling of coastal habitats leading up to a familiar trail junction at 0.6 mile. Turn left to take the tenth of a mile cross trail a second time.
Make a right at the next Silver Sands Creek sign to start the final arc of a figure-eight loop. At the base of a cluster of magnolias, a sign calls attention to poison ivy on the forest floor.
Poison ivy warning signPass Marker 34, paying closer attention to the footpath to avoid tripping on protruding roots. Walk between the substantial trunks of massive loblolly pines.
The cushiony footpath winds through an understory tangle of yaupon holly, young oaks, and sprays of saw palmetto. Pine needles dangle like tinsel in the trees.
Among the tall pinesTurning east after a straightaway under the pines, the pathway narrows, coming to a junction with a map marking an exit point to the picnic pavilion. Pass it by.
Along the shaded corridor, a bench faces a showy southern magnolia at Marker 39. Reach the initial trail junction and turn left, exiting to the parking area after 0.9 mile.
Exit to the parking areaTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Oak Tree Nature Park
Slideshow
See our photos from Oak Tree Nature Park
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