Sluicing its way through high bluffs and low flatlands in a largely rural region of the Panhandle, Econfina Creek is one of Florida’s most beautiful and unsung waterways.
The Florida Trail follows Econfina Creek for nearly 20 miles through Washington and Bay Counties, passing through a handful of established recreation areas.
Econfina CreekVisiting recreation areas along Econfina Creek largely requires driving on rough dirt roads inside Econfina Creek WMA.
With an entrance along SR 20, Pitt and Sylvan Springs is an exception, with easy access to the creek and an accessible boardwalk from which to see its namesake springs.
Clear water where Sylvan Springs outflow meets Econfina CreekResources
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Overview
Location: Youngstown
Trailhead: 30.432530, -85.546680
Address: 6315 E Highway 20, Youngstown
Fees: Free
Restrooms: At the trailhead
Land manager: Northwest Florida Water Management District
Phone: 850-539-5999
Open 8 AM to sunset. No pets permitted.
Directions
From the junction of US 231 and SR 20 in Fountain, south of Marianna and north of Panama City, head west on SR 20. Drive 7.1 miles. Immediately after you cross Econfina Creek, the entrance to the park is on the right.
About the Park
With eleven different named clusters of springs within a mile, Pitt and Sylvan Springs Recreation Area showcases its named springs and provides access to others.
Walkways extend in several directions from the parking area, as does a interpretive boardwalk leading past the restrooms.
Landscaped access points to spring and creekIf a leap into the clear aquamarine waters of Pitt Spring isn’t tempting enough, a landing along its edge provides a perch for watching fish and tadpoles.
Picnic pavilions cluster around the edges of the open green space, and an accessible walkway leads to a dock and launch along the creek.
Pitt SpringPut in here for a mile paddle downstream into the Gainer Springs Group, one of the showier collections of springs along the creek.
Or paddle against the current to visit Sylvan Springs, where a sandbar along the creek is a popular stop for paddlers.
Interpretation at the Econfina Creek launchBy foot, Sylvan Springs is a little more than a quarter mile away. Follow the boardwalk away from the parking area.
At the first T intersection, a branch of the boardwalk leads right to a landing with a ladder into the cool water of the creek for swimmers.
Access point for swimming and tubingIn the opposite direction at the T intersection, the zigzag of boardwalk snakes around a spring a little larger than a garden tub.
Take the next boardwalk to the right to a view of pretty Sylvan Springs. These are small bubblers in the shallows at the base of a bluff, their clarity amazing.
Sylvan Springs (Chris Stevens)Beyond Sylvan Springs, you can keep going on a short but adventuresome mile-long hike along the bluffs above Econfina Creek.
Passing additional karst features after it glides downhill through a switchback, the trail does a loop through Williford Spring Recreation Area, another swimming hole.
Econfina Creek Nature Trail On the Econfina Creek Nature Trail, discover rugged climbs, steep drop-offs, bubbling springs, and deep crevices into the earth as you walk between two major springs where you can swim.The picnic area and restrooms make this recreation area a welcome stop on any cross-Panhandle drive along SR 20.
Entrance to Pitt and Sylvan SpringsExplore More!
Video
A walk on the Econfina Creek Nature Trail
Slideshow
See our photos from Pitt and Sylvan Springs
Nearby Adventures
Florida Trail, Econfina Creek 18.4 miles. Winding along rolling hillsides north of Panama City, the Econfina Creek section of the Florida Trail offers a challenging hike with stunning views of its namesake creek.
Pine Log State Forest Florida's oldest state forest offers waterfront camping and a variety of loop trails for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians, plus a 5.7 mile linear segment of the statewide Florida Trail.
Faye and Dutch Trail Looping six miles through Florida’s oldest state forest, the Faye and Dutch Trail can be tackled as a day hike or a short backpacking trip.
Paddling Holmes Creek With a dozen launch points and more than 15 springs along its 16 mile length, Holmes Creek, a tributary of the Choctawhatchee River, is a must-do paddling trip along a remote waterway.
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