Extending between SR 20 and College Blvd, Turkey Creek Walk is one of the busiest recreation sites in the area.
Children are almost always at play, thanks to platforms to jump into the cool water for a swim or a tubing trip.
Waterfront platform along the boardwalkThe boardwalk keeps to the shade of the floodplain forest and bayhead swamp while offering fabulous views from many overlooks.
Turkey Creek Pavilion anchors the east end along SR 20, while the west end trailhead off College Blvd is Turkey Creek Walk North.
Turkey Creek PavilionTubing is welcome; bring your own flotation device. There are several put-ins and a critical take-out for drifting down the creek.
Canoe launches are at both ends. Both require a roll of your watercraft down the boardwalk to the launch.
Accessible canoe launch at Turkey Creek Pavilion trailheadResources
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Overview
Location: Niceville
Length: Up to a 3 mile round-trip
Trailhead: 30.531720, -86.503573
Address: 340 W John Sims Pkwy, Niceville
Fees: Free
Restroom: at the trailhead
Land manager: City of Niceville
Phone: 850-685-9405
Open sunrise daily. Closing hours change seasonally; the boardwalk closes 20 minutes prior to the park gates closing. No pets permitted.
The boardwalk is fully accessible. The city also provides free transportation to the park for seniors and those requiring mobility assistance. Call ahead to schedule a ride.
Directions
Turkey Creek Pavilion is along SR 20 (John Sims Pkwy) in Niceville just west of SR 85 on the north side of the highway, immediately north of the bridge across Turkey Creek. It tends to be busier, so we prefer the upstream trailhead off College Blvd at Turkey Creek Walk North. From the junction of SR 20 and SR 85, drive 0.9 mile north to College Blvd. Turn left and continue west for 0.6 mile to Falcon Trail. Make a left and then a quick right into the park. Follow the one-way loop around the picnic area and restrooms downhill to the parking area near the boardwalk.
Hike
Enter the broad boardwalk at the bottom of the hill at the open gate adjoining the attendant’s station. It descends gradually beneath tall oaks.
Turning a corner, follow a straightaway into the floodplain forest. Loblolly bay tower above. Benches are provided sporadically.
Gradual descent through the floodplainLeveling out, meet the landing on Turkey Creek designated Platform 6, within view of the highway bridge.
Take a peek over the edge at the clear, sand-bottomed stream. It’s deeper in spots than it appears.
Turkey CreekMake a sharp left past a long bench and the ramp for the put-in. Hovering above the floodplain, follow Turkey Creek downstream, the boardwalk descending.
Massive loblolly bay and cypresses provide dappled shade. Reach Platform 5 at the next sharp corner at a quarter mile.
Creek paralleling the boardwalkShowcasing a view of a gentle curve in the creek, Platform 5 has a ladder into the water.
It provides a take-out for a short tubing float from the ramp or a put-in to start downstream. Beyond Platform 5, the boardwalk rises higher above the floodplain.
Platform 5A straightaway leads to the Path of Memories, a side trip along a boardwalk to a shelter along the creek at a beauty spot.
Inscribed on plaques within the shelter roof are rememberances for children who died far too young.
Memorial shelterReturning to the main boardwalk, turn right. Walking above the tangle of titi and gum swamp, cross a bridge over Turkey Creek at a half mile, with fabulous views.
Now paralleling the south side of the creek, emerge into a power line clearing where a canal was cut long ago. Beaver dams hamper its flow.
Beaver dams on canalThe boardwalk broadens substantially, with Platform 4 on the creek side. Soon after, a short staircase leads to Platform 3. Aquatic grasses wave in the current on the far shore.
Following the bends of the creek, come to an observation deck signaled by a cypress growing through the center of the boardwalk.
Platform 3At 0.8 mile, Platform 2 has stairs down to its creek-level deck. A panoramic view upstream opens up beyond it.
Cedars are now common along the creek’s edge. Look straight down to observe the flow of water towards the creek from the gum swamp.
Aquatic grassesInterpretive signs become more frequent, explaining the plants of the swamp. Start down a long straightaway, passing behind a building on SR 20 when it curves.
Reach Platform 1 at a mile, overlooking a broad curve in Turkey Creek. A sign declares it the “Float Stop Point,” the takeout for tubing within the park.
Platform 1Cross a second bridge over Turkey Creek, which flows around a marshy island and beneath the nearby highway bridge to a bayou off Choctawhatchee Bay.
Upstream, an accessible canoe launch sits at the end of a long boardwalk which also boasts an observation platform.
Creekside deck at Turkey Creek Pavilion trailheadThis side boardwalk branches off the main one at the shoreline of Turkey Creek Park. At 1.2 miles, the complex also includes a large picnic pavilion and scattered picnic tables.
There are also restrooms and a memorial to Civilian Conservation Corps workers. Turn around and retrace your route, returning to the trailhead at 2.4 miles.
Start of the footpathTurn left to walk to the start of the Natural Walk Path, a footpath that continues to parallel Turkey Creek upstream.
It follows a linear greenway buffering the creek from adjoining housing developments.
Greenway above Turkey CreekLook for the sign pointing under the highway bridge. This portion of the hike is not accessible, and does wash out in spots after a rain.
After going under the bridge, turn right and climb uphill into a bluff forest of pines and magnolias. Palmetto grows in scattered clumps.
Straightaway sectionAlong this lesser-trod trail, pass a series of numbered benches built as part of a Boy Scout troop project.
The path is well defined as a long straightaway. When we hiked it, it ended after a half mile of walking in the woods at a sign. It may be longer now.
Retrace your steps from this point, returning to the trailhead by 3 miles.
One of the Boy Scout benchesTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Turkey Creek Walk
Slideshow
See our photos from Turkey Creek Walk
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