Campground Trail, Pine Log State Forest – Florida Hikes

Enveloped by rural timberlands north of Panama Metropolis Seashore, Pine Log holds the excellence of being the oldest state forest in Florida.

This expansive public land protects a various panorama of pure communities from pine flatwoods and sandhills to pitcher plant bogs and basin swamps inside the Choctawhatchee River watershed.

Pine flatwoods

A day use space adjoining to Sand Pond Campground supplies entry to a trio of trails, together with a bit of the Florida Path.

The Campground Path is the shorter of two loops, showcasing a wide range of habitats alongside a well-marked path and boardwalk via a picturesque forest of pond cypress.

Cypress forest

Assets

Overview

Location: EbroLength: 1.8 milesTrailhead: 30.429333, -85.881889Address: 5583-A Longleaf Rd, EbroFees: $2 per individual at Sand Pond trailheadRestrooms: On the trailheadLand supervisor: Florida Forest ServicePhone: 850-535-2888

Open dawn to sundown. Leashed canines welcome. Reserve campsites prematurely.

Instructions

Hike

Beginning on the gravel car parking zone, search for distinctive orange blazes of the Florida Path whereas descending a grassy slope dotted with pines.

On the backside, a set of indicators and a map kiosk mark the trailhead.

Trailhead signage

In lower than 100 ft, the Faye and Dutch loop branches off to the north, indicated with blue path markers.

Keep straight, following pink diamonds with arrows as the trail curves across the fringe of a cypress-lined shoreline.

Alongside the pond

Proceed straight at 0.2 miles the place the Florida Path makes a ninety-degree activate its option to Pensacola.

Comply with the well-defined hall of the Campground Path because it begins to curve across the pond, crossing undulating terrain.

Rounding a nook at 0.4 miles, climb onto a sturdy wood boardwalk main throughout seasonally flooded wetlands.

Wetland boardwalk

Reaching the opposite facet, proceed following the pink path markers whereas ascending into an open pine flatwoods atmosphere.

Hear for calls of northern sparkles and downy woodpeckers as they dart from tree to tree on this sun-drenched forest.

Interpretive signal alongside the path

Common prescribed fires preserve the forest flooring clear, giving house for an array of wildflowers to sprout alongside the perimeters of the path.

At 0.8 miles, the trail crosses Lengthy Leaf Rd earlier than intersecting with the Florida Path and circumnavigating the upkeep yard and campground.

Upkeep yard within the distance

The understory grows taller because the path enters the northern finish of the loop.

Sporadic turkey oaks and fetterbush lyonia recommend components of sandhill and flatwood ecosystems within the uplands.

At 1.5 miles, cross Lengthy Leaf Rd yet one more time because the forest takes on a extra pure look for the ultimate stretch earlier than reaching the day use space in 1 / 4 mile.

Among the many pines

Path Map

Discover Extra!

Be taught extra about Pine Log State Forest

Pine Log State Forest Florida’s oldest state forest affords waterfront tenting and a wide range of loop trails for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians, plus a 5.7 mile linear phase of the statewide Florida Path.

Video

Climbing the Campground Path at Pine Log State Forest

Close by Adventures

Path Map (PDF) Hunt Dates Reserve Campsite Official Web site

Alongside along with his spouse Chelsey, Chris Stevens shares out of doors adventures on Instagram and Fb as @sunshinestateseekers and is a co-host of a podcast about Florida’s outside, The Florida Madcaps. An avid hiker and camper, Chris serves as a Trailmaster and a board member for the Florida Path Affiliation.

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