Florida

Santa Rosa County

Wiregrass Trail

Blackwater River State Forest in Northwest Florida

The Blackwater River State Foret 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. 

Located in the northern extent of the state forest, the Wiregrass Trail is certified as a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail and a portion is included in the Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Program. Among its highlights, the trail takes hikers through part of one of the largest remaining stands of longleaf pine/wiregrass natural community found anywhere. 

The hiking trail is blazed orange. Heading northwest from the North Hurricane Lake Recreation Area, the trail is 6.4 miles to the terminus at the Alabama border. Heading southeast, it is 6.3 miles to the Jackson Red Ground Trail, which i a continuation of the Florida National Scenic Trail.

Length: 12.7 miles

Difficulty: 3