Florida

Santa Rosa County

Jackson Red Ground Trail

Blackwater River State Forest in northwest Florida

The Blackwater River State Forest offers a natural retreat set amidst the beautiful rolling hills of northwest Florida. Reaching from Conecuh National Forest along the Alabama border toward Eglin Air Force Base, this state forest is Florida's largest at nearly 190,000 acres. The forest is characterized by its many streams, including the namesake Blackwater River, that flow gently south as they make their way to the Gulf of Mexico. 

Certified as a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Jackson Red Ground Trail retraces one of the earliest trade routes of Indians and settlers in Florida. Also, be sure to visit the Sweetwater, Bear Lake and Jackson Trails. Jackson Red Ground Trail is blazed orange, and is a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail. 

The Florida Trail Association (FTA) produces a detailed hiking guide and segment-by-segment maps which are very useful for hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail

Length: 21.2 miles

Difficulty: 4