Looping by way of a patch of older pines at Dade Battlefield, this stroll introduces an actively managed longleaf pine flatwoods.
Interpretive indicators clarify the habitat, whereas incessantly spaced benches make it a straightforward hike for all ages. Wildflowers brighten the stroll every fall.
The flatwoods on a wintry dayIt’s one among three quick trails within the park. Two others start on the customer middle: one to the Historic Oak, the opposite following the historic Fort King Highway.
No indicators level out easy methods to join them, however a full circuit of the park incorporating all three trails is 1.6 miles.
Signal alongside the historic navy pathAssets
Overview
Location: BushnellLength: 0.9 milesTrailhead: 28.65287, -82.12724Address: 7200 Battlefield Parkway, BushnellFees: $3 per vehicleRestroom: On the trailheadLand Supervisor: Florida State ParksPhone: 352-793-4781
Open 8 AM to sundown. Leashed canine welcome. Go to the customer’s middle (test web site for present hours) for displays and a movie on the Seminole Wars.
The park has quite a few picnic pavilions (together with a screened room) and a playground. It hosts a battle re-enactment every December.
Instructions
Hike
Strolling within the route indicated by the Nature Path signal, lower by way of the nook of the parking zone in direction of a big oak in a grassy expanse.
Beneath it, search for the subsequent signal roughly southwest, poking out of this garden close to to the place pure habitats start.
Start linePassing an infinite oak, strategy a big brown signal marking the beginning of the Pine Flatwoods Path.
A tenth of a mile from the parking zone, flip proper onto a broad well-worn path, curving into the flatwoods previous a inexperienced marker.
Begin of the pathSmall old-style interpretive indicators sit atop posts alongside the sting of a thicket of scrubby understory.
At a clearing with a crossroads, proceed straight forward in direction of a kiosk with info and pictures on longleaf pine and its makes use of.
KioskAcross the bend from the kiosk, the loop begins. Bear proper to circle it counterclockwise. At 0.2 miles, a submit factors the best way.
The low, dense understory of shrubs and scrub extends in each instructions underneath the pines. Close to a bench, a shift happens to noticed palmetto.
First bench alongside the loopFollowing the curve of the trail, sweep alongside the western property boundary, homes seen behind the fence.
Candle-stage longleaf pines poke up like bottle brushes in a clearing. Cross a central east-west entry street 0.4 miles into the hike.
Younger pines close to the boundaryBecause the curve goals southeast, the understory shifts in direction of pine savanna, stalks of chalky bluestem waving within the breeze.
Look ahead to deep scars within the trunks of a number of the towering pines, catfaces indicating previous turpentine tapping.
Waving grassesPrevious a marked forest street crossing, a bench seems out previous a Nature Path signal right into a grassy savanna. A big clump of noticed palmetto rises past.
After the straightaway curves, head northeast. Low bush blueberries thrive within the pine duff on the path’s edge.
Noticed palmettoHeading in direction of an influence line, cross a big interpretive signal earlier than the subsequent curve. One other bench awaits close to a Restricted Space signal.
Grass-stage longleaf pines poke out of the pine needles carpeting the forest ground, as does similar-shaped however a lot paler wiregrass.
Grass stage pineCross the east-west entry street at 0.6 miles, the subsequent curve aiming the path in direction of one closing bench on the loop. Attain the loop exit quickly after.
Stroll to the kiosk and make a proper for the quick stroll out of the woods. Flip left to return to the parking space, or go straight forward if making a full circuit of the park.
Loop exitPath Map
Discover Extra!
Study extra about Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park The Second Seminole Struggle started amid the longleaf pines in these woods close to Bushnell, the assembly place of Federal troops and Seminole warriors on December 25, 1835.Video
Mountain climbing the Pine Flatwoods Path at Dade Battlefield
Slideshow
See our pictures from this hike
Close by Adventures
Path Map (PDF) Official Web site
Creator of 45 books, Sandra Buddy established FloridaHikes.com in 2006 to develop on the sphere analysis she’d accomplished for her first six climbing guides. She has been honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Florida Path Affiliation and the Florida Out of doors Writers Affiliation.
