Three-quarters of a mile north of the favored sandy strand at Deer Lake State Park, a nondescript footpath heads into the woods throughout from the park entry gate.
You’ll see no markings or kiosk till beneath the duvet of the pines. The Deer Lake Path is a set of frivolously used interpretive trails into uplands past the dunes.
Path entrance throughout from the park gateSand pine scrub predominates. The first path, the Sand Pine Loop, exhibits it off in all its glory.
Nevertheless it’s the vacation spot of the Lake Path that intrigues. It ends on a bluff above the higher reaches of Deer Lake, surprisingly marshy close to its supply.
Bluff on the finish of the Lake PathThere are a number of potential beginning factors for the hike. Given restricted parking, beachgoers and people exploring the boardwalk could wish to park in the principle lot close to the restrooms.
Should you’re merely right here to do that path, park in one of many parallel parking areas alongside the exit street. It’ll save the additional half mile round-trip of strolling to the gate from the car parking zone.
Parking spots close to the park gateAssets
Overview
Location: Seagrove BeachLength: 1.2 milesTrailhead: 30.305520 -86.074737Address: 6350 E CR 30A, Seagrove BeachFees: $3 per automobile in dropboxRestroom: Adjoining seashore parkingManager: Florida State ParksPhone: 850-267-8300
Open 8 AM till sundown each day. Leashed pets welcome on this path however not on the boardwalk or the seashore. A water bottle filling station is on the restrooms.
Instructions
Hike
Its trailhead largely hidden by the dense sand pine scrub, the path begins at treeline north of CR 30A straight throughout from the park entrance gate.
There isn’t any crosswalk to alert drivers to the path, so use warning crossing the freeway.
Wanting again in direction of the park gate from the path entry levelBlue blazes and arrows on blue steel discs mark the well-worn path straight forward via the sand pines. It shortly reaches the principle path junction.
On the junction is a path map, bench, and interpretive info. The Sand Pine Loop Path heads north and east. Flip left to deal with the round-trip Lake Path first.
Path junctionWinding between comparatively younger pines, stroll by unusually-shaped tree trunks and beds of deer moss on the pine duff between clumps of noticed pametto.
Mushy and springy, the footpath passes an interpretive signal about rattlesnakes, one of many 44 species of snakes documented in these woods.
Turkey oak on the Lake PathThe understory is comparatively sparse beneath the Choctawhatchee sand pines, with a handful of turkey oaks beneath the sand pine cover.
Drawing nearer to Deer Lake, the crispier environment change into. Whether or not by prescribed burn or lightning strike, a fireplace killed many bushes. Watch out for deadfalls and leaning trunks.
Closing in on the lake amid useless bushesA glimpse of grassland within the distance reveals Deer Lake, its higher reaches a marsh. At a set of interpretive indicators, the Lake Path ends.
Get pleasure from a scenic panorama from a bluff overlooking the basin of Deer Lake. Return alongside the identical path to the principle path junction with the map.
The higher finish of Deer LakeA half mile into the hike since crossing CR 30A, make a left to begin the Sand Pine Loop Path. Curve via mature sand pine scrub on a broad well-defined path.
Turkey oaks and silk bay add selection to an understory that’s in any other case largely noticed palmetto. Crooked-branched rusty lyonia provides its personal particular texture.
Curve on the Sand Pine LoopAn extended straightaway is adopted by a curve simply previous an interpretive signal concerning the ubiquitous palmettos.
A arrow disk on an older sand pine confirms the plain route. The texture of the forest to the left modifications, as if one thing else is on the market past the pines.
StraightawayThat feeling is confirmed previous a hiker marker, the place the habitat shifts in direction of sandhills. It’s rooty underfoot approaching a curve.
A gap within the forest is seen via the monotony of straight trunks. A hidden wetland, maybe?
SignagePrevious a curve with a bench at 0.9 miles, a cut up rail fence and signage makes it apparent a path as soon as led to that open space.
Proceed via the curve, admiring the open sky over the boggy space because the scrub takes over as soon as once more.
Open skies past the pinesStroll amongst tremendous skinny sand pine trunks previous a sand pine interpretive signal, immersing in sand pine scrub proper as much as the conclusion of the loop at 1.1 miles.
Flip left to exit. Cross CR 30A once more, reaching the parallel parking areas in a tenth of a mile.
Should you used the principle car parking zone, proceed alongside the park street for an additional 0.3 mile.
Skinny sand pinesPath Map
Discover Extra!
Study extra about Deer Lake State Park
Deer Lake State Park Residence to one of many less-visible coastal dune lakes alongside the South Walton coast, Deer Lake State Park offers the chance to see each ends of this coastal dune lake.Video
A stroll via the Deer Lake Path
Slideshow
See our pictures from mountain climbing the Deer Lake Path
Close by Adventures
Official Web site
Writer of over 40 books, Sandra Buddy established FloridaHikes.com in 2006 to increase on the sphere analysis she’d accomplished for her first six mountain climbing guides. She has been honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Florida Path Affiliation and the Florida Out of doors Writers Affiliation.
