Florida Hikes

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

Bench on beach

St. Joseph Peninsula Maritime Hammock Trail

Under a mile in length, the Maritime Hammock Trail showcases a remarkable variety of upland, wetland, and coastal habitats along with a bayside shell midden.

Port St. Joe (29.745881, -85.394800)   0.7 miles   St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

Between St. Joseph Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is notable for miles of undeveloped shoreline in a remote location along the Florida Panhandle.

A popular destination for the white sandy beaches and emerald waters, this park also offers miles of trails, including a short hike on the Maritime Hammock trail near the ranger station.

Distance from large cities allows for dark skies above the peninsula, making the park a wonderful place to spend an evening under the stars.

Overnight accommodations include fourteen primitive campsites and a developed campground, located farther up the park road.

Sand path next to a fence under sand pines Walkway through coastal scrub

Resources

Resources for exploring the area
North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover Hiking the Gulf Coast 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

Location: Cape San Blas
Length: 0.7 miles
Trailhead: 29.745881, -85.394800
Address: Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe
Fees: $4-6 per vehicle
Restrooms: At ranger station and recreational areas within park
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 850-227-1327

Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.

Directions


 
From Port St. Joe, follow SR 30A to SR 30E; continue on SR 30E until it ends in the state park. Enter the park gates. A parking area for the Maritime Hammock Nature Trail is on the right before the main park road reaches the ranger station.

Hike

Beginning the hike along a lengthy boardwalk, follow the elevated walkway through a stand of pine flatwoods that quickly transitions to wetlands.

In the warmer months, mallows emerge from the freshwater marsh alongside the trail, sporting pale pink flowers.

Boardwalk in woods Boardwalk

At the end of the boardwalk, a sandy pathway climbs onto ancient dunes while entering a xeric scrub habitat.

Sand pines and Florida rosemary border the trail as it travels along the tall ridge, overlooking rolling hills that descend eastward towards a basin marsh.

Park bench along sand path Scrub bench

Late in the year, false foxgloves bloom in abundance trailside, attracting an array of pollinators.

In a tenth of a mile, the path reaches a shell mound topped with a shady hammock.

Cedar, magnolia, oaks, and cabbage palms stand tall alongside yaupon hollies, coral bean, and beautyberry bushes.

Pink flowers next to sand path False foxglove in bloom

Turn right to begin a short loop that traces along the shell mound, reaching a scenic vista on the edge of St. Joseph Bay in less than 0.1 mile.

An inviting bench rests on the salty sand, facing the open water as gentle waves lap the shoreline.

Bench with water view Bayside bench

Continuing on the loop, dried leaves crunch underfoot as the trail passes large palm fronds, interspersed with bay trees, shrubs, and various vines.

Leaving the shade while ascending again into the scrub, the loop concludes at a half mile. Retrace steps along the linear section, reaching the trailhead in 0.2 mile.

Trail amid palms and oaks Mixed hammock

Trail Map

St. Joseph Peninsula Maritime Hammock Trail Map

Explore More!

Learn more about St Joseph Peninsula State Park

Bright white sand dunes along emerald shores St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Protecting fragile coastal habitats on the tip of Cape San Blas as it curves around to shelter St. Joseph Bay, T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park provides a sweep of beachfront on both bay and Gulf to enjoy.

Video

Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Tent pitched along a beach under palm trees St. Joseph Peninsula Wilderness Preserve Trail If you’ve dreamed of camping on a deserted beach, here’s your chance. Spend a night under the stars along the Gulf of Mexico amid the quiet of the Wilderness Preserve.
Bench along sandy path St. Joseph Peninsula Bayview Trail Explore the quieter side of St. Joseph Peninsula State Park along the Bayview Trail, a 1.7 mile loop through salty coastal scrub and pine flatwoods ecosystems.
Coastal scrub at Salinas Park Salinas Park With a boardwalk over a beautiful coastal scrub to a beach on the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Salinas Park provides a picnic grove in a pine forest.
Large marble monument in forest Constitution Convention Museum State Park Learn about frontier days on the Forgotten Coast at this small museum that commemorates the steps taken to establish Florida statehood.

Reserve Campsite Official Website

Chris Stevens
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