Extending between SR 20 and School Blvd, Turkey Creek Stroll is among the busiest recreation websites within the space.
Youngsters are nearly all the time at play, because of platforms to leap into the cool water for a swim or a tubing journey.
Waterfront platform alongside the boardwalkThe boardwalk retains to the shade of the floodplain forest and bayhead swamp whereas providing fabulous views from many overlooks.
Turkey Creek Pavilion anchors the east finish alongside SR 20, whereas the west finish trailhead off School Blvd is Turkey Creek Stroll North.
Turkey Creek PavilionTubing is welcome; deliver your personal flotation machine. There are a number of put-ins and a important take-out for drifting down the creek.
Canoe launches are at each ends. Each require a roll of your watercraft down the boardwalk to the launch.
Accessible canoe launch at Turkey Creek Pavilion trailheadAssets
Overview
Location: NicevilleLength: As much as a 3 mile round-tripTrailhead: 30.531720, -86.503573Address: 340 W John Sims Pkwy, NicevilleFees: FreeRestroom: on the trailheadLand supervisor: Metropolis of NicevillePhone: 850-685-9405
Open dawn every day. Closing hours change seasonally; the boardwalk closes 20 minutes previous to the park gates closing. No pets permitted.
The boardwalk is absolutely accessible. Town additionally offers free transportation to the park for seniors and people requiring mobility help. Name forward to schedule a trip.
Instructions
Hike
Enter the broad boardwalk on the backside of the hill on the open gate adjoining the attendant’s station. It descends steadily beneath tall oaks.
Turning a nook, comply with a straightaway into the floodplain forest. Loblolly bay tower above. Benches are offered sporadically.
Gradual descent by means of the floodplainLeveling out, meet the touchdown on Turkey Creek designated Platform 6, inside view of the freeway bridge.
Take a peek over the sting on the clear, sand-bottomed stream. It’s deeper in spots than it seems.
Turkey CreekMake a pointy left previous an extended bench and the ramp for the put-in. Hovering above the floodplain, comply with Turkey Creek downstream, the boardwalk descending.
Huge loblolly bay and cypresses present dappled shade. Attain Platform 5 on the subsequent sharp nook at 1 / 4 mile.
Creek paralleling the boardwalkShowcasing a view of a delicate curve within the creek, Platform 5 has a ladder into the water.
It offers a take-out for a brief tubing float from the ramp or a put-in to begin downstream. Past Platform 5, the boardwalk rises increased above the floodplain.
Platform 5A straightaway results in the Path of Recollections, a facet journey alongside a boardwalk to a shelter alongside the creek at a magnificence spot.
Inscribed on plaques throughout the shelter roof are rememberances for youngsters who died far too younger.
Memorial shelterReturning to the primary boardwalk, flip proper. Strolling 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 facet of the creek, emerge into an influence line clearing the place a canal was minimize way back. Beaver dams hamper its circulate.
Beaver dams on canalThe boardwalk broadens considerably, with Platform 4 on the creek facet. Quickly after, a brief staircase results in Platform 3. Aquatic grasses wave within the present on the far shore.
Following the bends of the creek, come to an remark deck signaled by a cypress rising by means of the middle of the boardwalk.
Platform 3At 0.8 mile, Platform 2 has stairs all the way down to its creek-level deck. A panoramic view upstream opens up past it.
Cedars at the moment are frequent alongside the creek’s edge. Look straight down to watch the circulate of water in direction of the creek from the gum swamp.
Aquatic grassesInterpretive indicators change into extra frequent, explaining the crops of the swamp. Begin down an extended straightaway, passing behind a constructing on SR 20 when it curves.
Attain Platform 1 at a mile, overlooking a broad curve in Turkey Creek. An indication declares it the “Float Cease Level,” the takeout for tubing throughout the park.
Platform 1Cross a second bridge over Turkey Creek, which flows round a marshy island and beneath the close by freeway bridge to a bayou off Choctawhatchee Bay.
Upstream, an accessible canoe launch sits on the finish of an extended boardwalk which additionally boasts an remark platform.
Creekside deck at Turkey Creek Pavilion trailheadThis facet boardwalk branches off the primary one on the shoreline of Turkey Creek Park. At 1.2 miles, the advanced additionally contains a big picnic pavilion and scattered picnic tables.
There are additionally restrooms and a memorial to Civilian Conservation Corps employees. Flip round and retrace your route, returning to the trailhead at 2.4 miles.
Begin of the footpathFlip left to stroll to the beginning of the Pure Stroll 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 CreekSearch for the signal pointing below the freeway bridge. This portion of the hike just isn’t accessible, and does wash out in spots after a rain.
After going below the bridge, flip proper and climb uphill right into a bluff forest of pines and magnolias. Palmetto grows in scattered clumps.
Straightaway partAlongside this lesser-trod path, move a collection of numbered benches constructed as a part of a Boy Scout troop mission.
The trail is nicely outlined as an extended straightaway. After we hiked it, it ended after a half mile of strolling within the woods at an indication. It might be longer now.
Retrace your steps from this level, returning to the trailhead by 3 miles.
One of many Boy Scout benchesPath Map
Discover Extra!
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Mountain climbing Turkey Creek Stroll
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Creator of over 40 books, Sandra Pal established FloridaHikes.com in 2006 to broaden on the sphere analysis she’d accomplished for her first six mountaineering guides. She has been honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Florida Path Affiliation and the Florida Outside Writers Affiliation.
