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Fort
Pickens Area
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Florida
Scenic Trail
The
western end of the Florida Scenic Trail is located at Fort Pickens.
This trail extends 4.7 miles along the Gulf coast beach to Battery
Langdon and then another 2.0 miles in the shaded forest of the island's
interior along the bike trail and terminates at Fort Pickens.
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Blackbird Marsh Nature Trail
Located on the northern edge of the maritime forest, this half mile
easy walking loop trail encircles a section of marsh that usually
hold fresh and salt water. Depending on the current weather conditions
the marsh can dry up. A variety of plants live there from gnarled
sand live oaks and scrubby sand pines to more common marsh plants
such as cattails, sawgrass and duck potato. Native animals include
raccoons, opossums, and a variety of frogs. Wear comfortable walking
shoes and bring insect repellent. Accessed from Campground Loop
A or E.
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Dune Nature Trail
Dune
Nature Trail Take a stroll down a (.25 mile) short section of boardwalk
and discover how the flora and fauna of Santa Rosa Island have adapted
to survive the sometimes harsh conditions present there. From the
twisted pines and oaks stunted by the cloud of salt spray carried
by wind coming off the Gulf of Mexico, to the light coloration exhibited
by the beach mice and ghost crab, which service to camouflage in the
white sand as well as reflect the sun's intense rays. Evidence of
the effects of life on the island abounds. Rising to cross the sea
oat crowned primary dune the trial terminates at the beautiful quartz
sand beaches. Accessed on Fort Pickens Road across from Campground
Loop A. |
Perdido
Key Area
A
self-guided nature trail begins at the boat launch. It winds past
a salt marsh an through a maritime forest.
Perdido
Key Discovery Trail
A self guided nature trail begins at the boat launch. It winds past
a salt marsh and through a maritime forest. Good walking shoes are
recommended. |
Santa
Rosa Area
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eastern section of the Florida Scenic Trail is located at the Santa
Rosa Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore, 3.5 miles west of Navarre
Beach on SR 399. From here the Trail proceeds generally westward along
the Gulf coast beach to the Santa Rosa Area's west boundary. |
Naval
Live Oaks Area
Unlike
the other trails in the park, the trails located in this area offer a
nature experience with good possibilities of encountering wildlife. The
natural community includes a variety of birds, reptiles, small mammals
and vegetation types. Commonly seen animal residents are five-lined skinks,
gray squirrels, birds like the osprey, belted kingfisher and woodpeckers.
Native plants like the red basil and conradina are plentiful along the
trails.
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Visitor
Center Trail
The trail consists of a "figure 8" path (a 1/4 mile loop,
with a 1/2 mile loop beyond). The trail travels through the mainland
forest communities of plant and animal life. Exhibits along the
trail identify typical plants and how live oaks were used in shipbuilding.
An observation deck is at the west end of the trail.
Pensacola-St.
Augustine Road
This trail runs parallel to U.S. 98 along the northern section of
Naval Live Oaks, approximately 2.2 miles. The trail offers a variety
of sand pine, longleaf pine, and live oak communities, including
pignut hickory, southern magnolia and scrub oak.
Beaver
Pond Trail
The trail, approximately 1.0 mile, runs north and south through
large areas of longleaf pine and some oak stands.
Old
Borrow Pit Trail
This trail intersects the Old Quarry Trail and Pensacola-St. Augustine
Road, approximately .9 mile through large stands of longleaf and
sand pine communities.
Old
Quarry Trail
This trail intersects with the Old Borrow Pit Trail and connects
with the Beaver Pond Trail, .3 mile through Sand and Longleaf pine
communities.
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Pensacola
Forts Area
Fort
Barrancas Woodland Trail
Onboard
the Naval Air Station, this (.25 mile) trails is a loop through the
mainland forest bordering Pensacola Bay. Trail begins at the Fort
Barrancas Visitor Center. |
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