Garcon Point Trail has a 1.7 mile loop and a 1.2 mile spur off that trail.

The trail is owned by Northwest Florida Water Management. The area includes wet prairie and flatwood habitats. Hikers may see many carnivorous plants, sparrows, bluebirds, red-tailed hawks, osprey and more.

Trail is located within the Garcon Point Water Management Area in Santa Rosa County south of Milton. From I-10 drive south on CR 281 to CR 191.

View more about hiking Garcon Point Trail

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Juniper Creek hiking trail, located in Blackwater State Forest, is a nice trail that follows along the Juniper Creek. The trail is 8.8 miles long and is a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail.

We recently hiked a section of the northern trail. It’s a beautiful, well-marked trail and while hiking it you’ll enjoy a pine and hardwood forest. The northern section is lush with Magnolia trees that line the banks of the creek. In the spring, many shrubs and small trees will bloom. You’ll want to be careful with young children near the beginning of the trail where we were pleasantly surprised by a high bluff overlooking the creek. The view is stunning.

We took along the coordinates of a couple geocaches to find along the way. We found two large ammo container geocaches to add some more interest to our hike.

Enjoy a short video and some pics of sights you’ll see along the trail!

Directions to Juniper Creek Trail

To access the southern section of the trail take I-10 exit 31 (Highway 87). Go north to Hwy 90 and take a right. Go 7 miles and take a left onto Deaton Bridge Road. Follow that road to Blackwater State Park.

To access the northern section continue on Deaton Bridge Road to a four way stop. Take a left on Indian Ford Road. Take Indian Ford Road to Pleasant Home Road and take a right. Follow Pleasant Home Road to Red Rock Road where you will take a left. Park at the parking area at the first bridge which is Juniper Creek. The trail crosses Red Rock Road .3 miles to the east.

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Photos of Juniper Creek Trail

*Families with small children please use caution at this location. The beach area is on the other side of the river and there are currents. If you are looking for a place to swim with small children I recommend Blackwater River State Park or Krul Lake Recreation Area.

Fillingim Landing Map

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Fillingim Landing Photos

Fillingim Landing Launch

Fillingim Landing Launch

Fillingim Landing

Fillingim Landing Hiking Trail

Fillingim Landing Picnic Area

Ready to explore the lower sections of Blackwater River? A good location to launch a boat, kayak or stand up paddleboard (SUP) is the Oyster Pile Boat Ramp  located in Bagdad, FL  (right outside Milton). The boat ramp gives you access to the tributaries just off the Blackwater River. Although you can take larger boats out here to explore and catch fish, this area is great place to explore on a kayak or SUP.

The park includes a boat launch, picnic tables, and a portable bathroom. If you are looking for a new place to explore, this is a perfect destination.

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Kayaking with daughter on Bayou Texar

Ready to explore the rivers and bayous of northwest Florida? Northwest Florida has an abundance of areas to launch kayaks. Florida’s diverse landscape has many rivers, bayous and beaches to explore. We are here to help you discover some of the many kayak locations northwest Florida has to offer.

Kayaking is fun for our whole family. We have taken our kids kayaking on rivers, bayous, and beaches. Each place offers different scenery to enjoy.  As we go, we have written about many of the areas we have put our kayak in. We will continue to expand this list of locations and provide details about these different kayak locations. If you would like to add to this list let us know.

Have Questions About Kayaking In Northwest Florida?

• Don’t have your own kayak? Get in touch with us and we’ll connect you with an outfitter.
• I have my own kayak, but I’m not sure where to go. Connect with us and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Bays & Bayous in Northwest Florida

(Click on the markers below or follow the links below the map)

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• Big Lagoon State Park – SW Pensacola / Perdido area – This state park located just outside of Pensacola has a nice kayak launch. This is a favorite. You’ll see many birds in this area. The park also rents kayaks.
• Johnson Beach – Perdido Key
• Simpson River – NE Pensacola / Pace
• Swamphouse Marina – NE Pensacola (Escambia River)
• Bayview Park – SE Pensacola – Located on Bayou Texar
• Bayou Texar – SE Pensacola – Located on Bayou Texar – Public boat launch
• 17th Avenue Boat Launch – SE Pensacola – Pensacola Bay/Bayou Texar
• Linear Park – SW Pensacola – Bayou Grande
• Navy Point – SW Pensacola – Bayou Grande
• Gibb’s Point – SW Pensacola – Bayou Grande
• Dickson Park – SW Pensacola – Bayou Grande
• Big Lagoon State Park – SW Pensacola / Perdido
• Thompson Bayou at UWF – NE Pensacola
• Woodland Park – Gulf Breeze
• Shoreline Park – Gulf Breeze
• Deadman’s Island – Gulf Breeze

Rivers in Northwest Florida

We all know Florida for it’s fantastic beaches. Yet the beaches are not the only access to water in the Sunshine State. Northwest Florida has many rivers such as Blackwater River, Juniper Creek, Cold Water Creek, Perdido River, and Yellow River.

Perdido River Kayak Launching areas

• Fillingim Landing
• The Pipes
• Ruby’s Fish Camp – Florida/Alabama Line – Perdido River
• Perdido River Map – [external PDF]

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Blackwater River Kayak Launch

• Deaton Bridge Road / Blackwater River State Park (East of Milton/Pensacola)
• Bryant Bridge Road
• Blackwater River [external map]
• Carpenter Park
• Oyster Pile Boat Launch

View Kayaking Northwest Florida – Rivers (Blackwater) in a larger map

Other River Maps

• Coldwater Creek [external map]
• Econfina Creek Canoe Trail [external map - Panama city Area]
• Shoal River [external map - Crestview area]
• Juniper Creek [external map - Milton area]

Northwest Florida Kayaking Articles:

• Blackwater River Family Kayak Trip
• A Cooler Side To Your Florida Vacation
• Becks Fish Camp and Wildlife Refuge
• Exploring Holmes Creek
• Explore Florida’s Blackwater River State Park, Forest and Recreation Areas

Simpson River public launch is located off highway 90 between Pensacola and Pace. The park has a fishing pier and a small boat launch.  This is a nice place for kayaking. There are many inlets to explore in this area.

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Dickson Park is located in Pensacola on Bayou Grande. The facilities include a boat ramp, playground, two picnic pavilions, and dog park.

Address:  3151 Fenceline Road

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Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve and Nature Trail is part of the Bayou Chico restoration project. It was created to provide protection for Pensacola Bay. The preserve includes 1,300 acres within the Jones Creek Watershed.

There are some developed and undeveloped hiking trails. A large part of the trail winds along a nice creek. The trails take you on a nice, safe walk while offering a great place for the family to enjoy the outdoors. You may encounter wildlife like birds and river otters.

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Looking for a hiking or biking trail you can take the entire family on? Fort Pickens on Pensacola Beach has many trails the family can enjoy. One section of trail we enjoy connects Battery Worth and Fort Pickens. This trail is part of the Florida National Scenic Trail and is only .7 miles long.

The landscape is made up of small dunes, sand live oak, slash pines, myrtle oak, fetterbush, rosemary, saw palmetto, Cruise’s golden aster, and more.  A section of trail runs along a few water channels where you can see many turtles and other wildlife. There is also a bridge you cross and is a great place to see turtles and other wildlife.

Trailhead at Battery Worth in Fort Pickens

Trail is made of ground oyster shells

beach shrubs and trees along the trail

Water channels on Fort Pickens along trail

Visitor at the bridge

Want more on Fort Pickens?

Johnson Beach Discovery Nature Trail is located on Perdido Key. This is a nice hike for the entire family. The hike takes you on a raised boardwalk through dunes, pine trees, salt marsh outlooks, and brings you to a beautiful view of Grand Lagoon. The hike is  just under 1/2 a mile long-just long enough for a fun time of exploring with young kids.  When we hiked through, we saw a hawk family soaring around its nest bringing a Sunday fish dinner. We also observed other small birds. Bring a picnic and check out Johnson Beach this Spring!

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