*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

View Fillingim Landing Kayak Launch in a larger map

Fillingim Landing Photos

Fillingim Landing Launch

Fillingim Landing Launch

Fillingim Landing

Fillingim Landing Hiking Trail

Fillingim Landing Picnic Area

Pensacola is the gateway to outdoor fun in the Florida Panhandle. It’s been nicknamed the Western Gate to the Sunshine State and the Red Snapper Capital of the World. Pensacola Beach is known for it’s sugar white sands. When most visitors think of Florida, they think of sun and sand. The beach is a big draw to Florida, but Pensacola also has access to beautiful national parks, state parks, rivers, hiking trails, kayaking and paddleboarding spots and so much more. Explore with us as we share the many things to do in Pensacola.

Attractions In or Near Pensacola

• Lighthouse
• Navy Aviation Museum
• Sam’s Surf City
• T.T. Wentworth Museum
• Historic downtown Seville
• Arcadia Mills
• Milton River Walk
• Plaza de Luna

National Seashores and State Parks

The Gulf Islands National Seashore is one of the jewels of northwest Florida. Pensacola is in close proximity to Fort Pickens, Naval Live Oaks, Johnson Beach, and Opal Beach which are all part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Fort Pickens

Fort Pickens is located to the west of Pensacola Beach. It’s bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola Pass and Pensacola Bay. The park includes hiking, biking, historic Forts, fishing, bird watching and camping.

Opal Beach is located to the east of Pensacola Beach. Opal beach is a day use area located on the Gulf of Mexico and the Santa Rosa Sound. The amenities include covered picnic areas and bathroom facilities.

Naval Live Oaks Nature Trail

Naval Live Oaks is located in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Visitors to the park will enjoy exploring the history of this area in the muesuem, hiking among beautiful live oaks, having a picnic, or swimming in Santa Rosa Sound. The amenities include hiking trails, picnic areas, covered pavilion, bathrooms and a museum.

Johnson Beach is located in Perdido Key, Florida. You’ll have the white, sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico with covered pavilions for picnic tables, restrooms and outside showers. There is also a launch into the Intercoastal Waterway and a Discovery Nature Trail boardwalk.

Kayaking & Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)

Kevin of Coastal Paddle Company

The team here at Outdoor Gulf Coast spends many of our summer days surfing, kayaking, and SUPing. The Pensacola area is surrounded by beautiful locations to enjoy nature while paddling. From Pensacola you can enjoy paddling in the Gulf of Mexico, bays, bayous, lagoons, and even cool flowing rivers. We’ve begun to compile a list of our favorite paddling locations which include Blackwater River, Perdido River, Big Lagoon State Park and many others.

Visiting Pensacola doesn’t mean you need to own your own SUP or kayak. There are many places to rent and take lessons. Here are a few of those locations:

Stand Up Paddleboard Lessons and Rentals

Ready to get your feet wet on a Paddleboard?  Pensacola has many places to get lessons, rent, and purchase paddleboards.

• Coastal Paddle Company – YOLO dealer located in Gulf Breeze. They offer lessons, rentals, parties and guided tours.
• Innerlight Surf Shop – locations in Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, Gulf Shores and Destin Florida. They offer lessons and rentals.
• Waterboyz Surf Shop – locations in Pensacola. They offer lessons and rentals.

Kayak Lessons and Rentals

Kayaking in Pensacola has been popular for years and for good reason. Pensacola has bays, bayous, rivers, and the Gulf of Mexico. Our family has enjoyed many hours kayaking in places such as the Blackwater River, Bayou Texar, Big Lagoon State Park, and many other great places near Pensacola.

• Pensacola Kayak and Sail – rentals and purchase kayak equipment
• Adventures Unlimited – Canoe and kayak rentals on Blackwater River, Coldwater Creek, and Juniper.
• View our list of places to kayak in northwest Florida
• Big Lagoon State Park – The park has a really nice lagoon area to paddle and kayak. Kayaks can be rented from ranger station.

Fishing Along the Coast

Know as the Red Snapper Capital of the World it’s little wonder that Pensacola is a fisherman’s paradise. Pensacola provides both fresh and salt water fishing. There are many places to cast a line from the Pensacola Beach Pier, the Pensacola Beach Bridge, Palafox Pier, to fishing charters. The fishing enthusiast is sure the find the perfect fishing hole.

• Pensacola Bay Fishing Pier
• Pensacola Beach Pier
• Reel Eazy Private Boat Charters
• Total Package Charters
• Snapper Trapper Diving and Fishing Charters

Places to Bike

From Pensacola Beach to Milton’s Blackwater Heritage Trail the area has many great places to bike.

• Fort Pickens
• Pensacola Beach – The beach has nice paved bike paths that run from the east of Portifino to Fort Pickens.
• Blackwater Heritage Trail
• UWF – The University of West Florida has many great off road biking trails.

Bike Stores in Pensacola and Surrounding Areas

• Bikes Plus
• Truly Spokin
• The Fun Store Rentals

Places to Hike

Tarkiln Bayou Trail

Hiking is always a fun activity for the family. This area has many great hiking trails to enjoy the beauty of creation. Some of our favorite spots to take our family is Shoreline Park, UWF Nature Preserve, and Arcadia Mills.

• Gulf Islands National Seashore Naval Live Oaks Park
• Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze
• Tarkiln Bayou (View Map | View Photos)
• Big Lagoon State Park
• Bayou Marcus
• Jones Swamp Wetland
• Johnson Beach Discovery Trail
• Fillingim Landing
• UWF Nature Preserve
• Bay Bluffs
• Krul Lake/Sweetwater trail
• Blackwater River Heritage Trail
• Arcadia Mills
• Chain of Lakes

Pensacola is the gateway to the Florida outdoors. Adventure awaits for the adventuresome at heart on the Gulf Coast.  The emerald waters and sugar sands that line our coast make a perfect setting for surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding. The rivers and waterways are fun for kayaking and paddleboarding. There are miles of trails from the beaches to the forests in Northwest Florida creates the perfect location for hiking, biking, and runners alike.

Gearing up for your adventures can be done at any of these local outdoor businesses. Help support these folks as they support you by providing you with the gear you need for your adventures.

Surfing, Paddleboarding & Kayaking

Gear up for paddling and surfing adventures at these locations:

Coastal Paddle Company– Get decked out with a paddleboard and accessories at Coastal Paddle Company located in Gulf Breeze. Coastal Paddle is the official YOLO Board dealer for this area. In addition, they carry products from these great brands: TOMS, Camelbak, GoPro, Kialoa, Hinano, Kahuna Creations, Olukai and more.

Pensacola Kayak and Sail– They offer a full line of kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and accessories.

Innerlight Surf Shop– Innerlight has been serving the Gulf Coast since 1969. Innerlight has locations in Gulf Shores, Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Destin and they will be opening a new location in 2012 on Pensacola Beach. They are your one stop shop for surfboards, paddleboards, skateboards and skimboards. There are also a wide range of clothing and accessories in sizes infant to XXL. Need help getting started? They offer camps, rentals, and private and group lessons.

Waterboyz– Custom to stock surfboards, wax, leashes, traction and board bags.

Weatherford’s– Weatherford’s is an outdoor, snow sports and four-season apparel store.

Hiking & Running

Running Wild– Running Wild is your complete endurance sport and lifestyle fitness resource.

Intracoastal Outfitters– Intracoastal Outfitters’ mission is to help every customer better enjoy the outdoors, whether it be locally, regionally, or globally. Whether it’s a pair of Merrell hiking boots and a North Face pack for a trip out West or a pair of Vibram 5 Fingers and a dry bag for a weekend of paddleboarding, they outfit our customers from head to toe for comfort, travel, and outdoor adventure. Intracoastal Outfitters also specializes in premium Euro comfort shoe lines like Birkenstock, Naot, and Dansko.

Biking

Bikes Plus– Bikes Plus has two locations in town and one in Gulf Breeze. They carry Trek, Gary Fisher, and a wide variety of accessories.

Truly Spokin’– Truly Spokin’ has one location in Pensacola and the other is near the Blackwater Trail in Milton, Florida. They carry Giant, Bianchi, Electra and more.

Tarklin Bayou Preserve State Park, located just outside Pensacola, is the perfect nature getaway for a family hike.  This park has trails for those who enjoy a leisurely stroll and some trails for those who like a longer hike. The Tarklin Bayou trail is about 1 mile down and back on a paved sidewalk and boardwalk leading to a pier on the bayou. It offers a nice and easy trail which is handicap accessible. Another trail which branches out from the Tarklin trail is the Perdido Bay trail. It is a 7.2 mile loop.  The Perdido Baytrail is not paved and makes a great hike.

Arcadia Mill Discovery Center

Arcadia Mill is located in Milton, Florida. The Arcadia Mill trail is a nice historical hike which takes you on an elevated boardwalk with a view of the wetland ecosystem and the remains of the mills. Arcadia Mills is free to the Public. The site has a museum, however, it is not open on holidays. There is also a covered area with an old saw mill and waterwheel which is fun for the kids.

Big Lagoon State Park ,located near Perdido Key, is a nice place to spend the day or a few hours. This park has a kayak launch and many trails to hike on. I always enjoy the boardwalks over the lagoon and the observation tower which over looks beautiful Big Lagoon. This is always a fun place to take the kids.

Naval Live Oaks Park is located in Gulf Breeze and has around 7 miles of trails. It also has a beach swimming area and covered picnic tables. If you enjoy the beautiful scenery of Santa Rosa Sound and large live oaks, this may be the choice for you. This park is free to the public.

Chain of Lakes Nature Trail is located in Blackwater River State Park near Milton Florida. This hike is a one mile loop through the Longleaf pine forests. A section of the loop winds along the Blackwater River as well as through many small lakes known as the Chain of Lakes.

Bay Bluffs Park is located in Pensacola. It is a nice scenic area to take a walk. It is a 32-acre park along Escambia Bay located off Scenic Highway near Summit Blvd. The park has many boardwalks leading through the oak and pine forest along the bay.

On Thanksgiving take the opportunity to enjoy some of the many great trails in the Pensacola area. Have a blessed Thanksgiving with your family.

For more hiking areas visit our hiking page.

Have any favorite hiking spots? Let us know in the comment section.

The western most section of northwest Florida is considered the gateway to Florida. Here at Outdoor Gulf Coast we consider it the gateway to all Florida adventures. Beginning in this area of Pensacola there are many hiking adventures awaiting you.

It’s in northwest Florida we have the beginning of the Florida trail system. In addition to the trail system there are many areas to hike and explore. We hope you will discover new places to hike as we continue to expand our list, with Pensacola being the starting point to your hiking adventures. If you would like to contribute more places to the hiking areas we have listed, please let us know.

Pensacola

Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve and Nature Trail

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

Terrain: sand/dirt| Park amenities: picnic table

Gibb’s Point

3 miles of paved walking/biking paths along Bayou Grande.

Terrain: concrete walking path | Park amenities: park benches, playground, bathroom

Gibb's Point Playground and path

Bayou Marcus

Raised boardwalk through the wetlands in west Pensacola. This boardwalk is at the water Reclamation facility. Nice place for walking and birding.

Terrain: boardwalk | Park amenities: none

Tarkiln Bayou Trail 

Beautiful paved/boardwalk that winds through wetlands down to the bayou. There is a small pier on the bayou to enjoy the surroundings. In addition to the paved trail there are many off-grade trails to hike.

Terrain: boardwalk & sandy trails | Park amenities: bathroom

Tarkiln Bayou Trail

Fillingim Landing

Located on the Perdido River Fillingim Landing offers paddlers and hikers a nice setting for exploring the outdoors. Fillingim Landing includes a kayak/canoe launch, hiking trails, picnic table, BBQ grills, and bathrooms.

Terrain: sand | Park amenities: picnic tables, BBQ grills, kayak/canoe launch, bathrooms

Bay Bluffs Park

Bay Bluffs Park is maintained by the city of Pensacola. The park is a 32-acre park along Escambia Bay located off Scenic Highway near Summit Blvd. The park has many boardwalks leading through the oak and pine forest along the bay.

Terrain: boardwalk | Park amenities: none

UWF Boardwalk and Hiking Trails

UWF includes over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails. A section of trails includes the Edward Ball Nature Preserve Trail. This boardwalk is an enjoyable half-mile hike through Thompson’s Bayou. Visitors will enjoy viewing many birds, fish, and reptiles.

Terrain: boardwalk & dirt trails | Park amenities: none

Pensacola Beach (less than 10 miles from Pensacola)

Fort Pickens

There are many trails to explore in Fort Pickens. Hikers will enjoy much wildlife. Parking at Battery Worth will give you access to many of the trails.

Terrain: sand, crushed shells | bathrooms, covered pavilions, picnic areas, BBQ Grills, Forts, Beach areas

Perdido Key (15 miles from Pensacola)

Perdido Key Discovery Trail

The Perdido Key Discovery Trail is located in Johnson Beach. This park is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The boardwalk provides a unique setting to discover the natural beauty of the seashore. This is an easy walk and a great place for bird watching.

Terrain: boardwalk | Park amenities: covered pavilion at main beach, beach access, restrooms at main beach parking area

Perdido Key Discovery Trail & Kayak Launch

Garcon Bayou Nature Park

Bayou Marcus Nature Trail is located near Perdido Bay Country Club. The boardwalk gets takes you out over the wetlands.

Terrain: boardwalk | Park amenities: covered pavilion, BBQ grills, playground

Big Lagoon State Park

Big Lagoon State Park is a beautiful place for hiking, camping, bird watching, or having a fun family picnic. There are many trails to explore throughout the park. The trails range from boardwalks to sandy trails.

Terrain: boardwalk & sandy trails | Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, playground, camping

Gulf Breeze (3 miles from Pensacola)

Shoreline Park

Paved trail at Shoreline Park

Shoreline park has both walking paths and hiking trails. This is a beautiful park to explore.

Terrain: Concrete walking paths  & sandy trails | Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, playground, fishing pier, boat launch, dog park, pavilion. 

Naval Live Oaks

The Gulf Islands National Seashore Naval Live Oaks Park located in Gulf Breeze is the perfect place to enjoy some quiet time of hiking, picnicking, or relaxing by the water. The Naval Live Oaks park is located in Gulf Breeze and has has over 7.5 miles of hiking trails to enjoy.

Terrain: Sandy trails | Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, BBQ grills

Baker, Holt, Munson (30 – 47 miles from Pensacola)

Wiregrass Trail – Blackwater River State Forest

The Wiregrass Trail is located in Blackwater River State Forest and is part of the Florida National Scenic Trail. On this trail hikers will enjoy some of the largest remaining longleaf pine/wiregrass found anywhere. The trail is 12.7 miles in length. Access this trail North of Hurricane Lake Recreation Area. For details directions visit here.

Terrain: off-road trails | Park amenities: restrooms, camping

Sweetwater Trail

The Sweeterwater trail is located in Blackwater River State Forest. The trailhead is located at Krul Lake State Recreation Area. The first section of trail is handicapped accessible with a boardwalk. The trail includes a suspension bridge and a gristmill on the boardwalk. The trail is 1.3 miles and connects to Bear Lake.

Terrain: boardwalk and off-road | Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, BBQ grills, swimming area

Jackson Red Ground Trail

Get a bit of history has you retrace on of the earliest trade routes of the Indians and settlers in Florida. This trail is a 21.5 mile hike and is certified as a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail. For directions, maps, and other information visit here.

Terrain: off-road | Park amenities: primitive camping at Red Rock Road Primitive Area

Blackwater River Juniper Creek Trail

Enjoy hiking along Juniper Creek. The trail is an unpaved trail that runs 8.8 miles. Juniper Creek Trails is certified as a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail. The southern end of the trails joins up with Blackwater River.

Terrain: off-road | Park amenities: primitive camping at Red Rock Road Primitive Area (northern), picnic area at southern area

Karick Lake Campground

It’s time to go camping . . . or fishing or hiking! You can do all this and more at Karick Lake. Located in the Blackwater River State Forest, just 7.5 miles north of Baker tucked away in our little neck of the woods is this spectacular 65-acre spot.  The park includes a 3.8 mile hiking trail around the lake.

Terrain: Sandy trails | Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, BBQ grills, camping

Blackwater River State Park

Blackwater River State Park has access to many hiking trails including Chain of Lakes Hiking Trail and Jackson Trail.

Chain of Lakes Hiking Trail

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/panhandlewest/trails/blackwater_jackson_red.htm

Ponce de Leon (90 miles from Pensacola)

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park

Ponce de Leon is a beautiful State Park located in Northwest Florida that’s perfect for a day trip. In the park there are two hiking trails where hikers will enjoy a lush hardwood forest.  The park also includes Includes a beautiful spring for swimming for those hot summer days.

Terrain: off-road trails| Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, BBQ grills, swimming area

Sweetwater Trail suspension bridge

Milton (20 miles from Pensacola)

Garcon Point Trail

Garcon Point Trail has a 1.7 mile loop and a 1.2 mile spur off that trail. We hiked the 1.2 mile spur then walked back another 1.5 along the  along Garcon Point Road.

Terrain: off-road trails| Park amenities: none

Arcadia Mill

Enjoy history and the great outdoors as you visit Arcadia Mill. This site once included a water-powered sawmill, lumber mill, textile mill, and more. There is a handicap  boardwalk and off-road hiking trails at this location. The off-road section of trail includes a suspension bridge over Mill Pond Creek.

Terrain: Boardwalk & off-road trails | Park amenities: Visitor Center and Museum, restroom, historical displays

Fairhope, Alabama (50 miles from Pensacola)

Weeks Bay

Weeks Bay includes two boardwalks. There you will enjoy viewing the natural surroundings around Weeks Bay and Fish River.

Terrain: Boardwalks | Park amenities: Free educational interpretive center, restrooms

The public will have the opportunity to provide input on three new artificial reef site applications in Escambia County’s inshore waters. Once finalized, the reef applications are submitted to the state and federal permitting agencies.

For more information, please contact Robert Turpin with Marine Resources at 850-595-3474.

# # #

This news release is also posted at www.myescambia.com under the “news” heading.

 Photo by lsgcp

Photo by Tobyotter

Take a walk with a Lifeguard every Saturday. This is a great program to learn about beach safety.

Dates:  Every Saturday Weekly from May 28, 2011 to September 3, 2011
Times:  10:30 a.m.
Location:  Langdon Beach in Fort Pickens on Pensacola Beach, Johnson Beach in Perdido Key and Opal Beach in between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach
Fees: Entrance fee to park, $25 annual pass
Details:  Beach Walk Safety Talks with a Lifeguard

There are lots of places along the Gulf Coast to send your children for swimming lessons. But did you know there is training available for your infants? If you own your own swimming pool and have an infant aged six months or older, I believe these lessons are critical. There are three trained instructors in the Pensacola area that can teach your infant to survival float.

Briony Allan, Heidi Wendt, and Carrie Glass are all passionate and highly-trained instructors that can train your infant at one of a variety of locations. For more information on Infant Swimming Resource or to contact an instructor in our area, click here.

Outdoor Gulf Coast will offer swim lessons and swim parties by an experienced instructor starting June 20th and throughout the summer. We’ll have availability for individual ($20 hr) or group lessons at our pool or yours ($10 per child for hour group lesson of two to five children). Plan a swim lesson play party at your pool with a trained instructor ($5 per child for hour swim party up to ten children). Swimmers will play games that teach proper swim strokes and build endurance while parents relax.

Contact us with the date and number of children!

For group lessons for children of all ages, contact the YMCA and city pools. The YMCA in downtown Pensacola has swimming lessons year round, so you can start preparing your children to be safe in the water this summer.

YMCA Langley Summer Swim Lessons

Ages 6-12 years

Sessions start June 6 and run through August 25.

Cost: $30 session for members, $60 session for participants

Call: (850) 478-1222 to register

Greater Pensacola Aquatic Club Swim School

Prepare your child to swim with the GPAC competitive team in the fall or sign up for a GPAC Summer League team.

Choose your location for summer swim team: UWF, Pensacola State College, Milestone or The Club.

For more info.

Pensacola is a port city located on Pensacola Bay. With over 50 miles of protected shoreline, clear waters and beautiful sugar white sand, Pensacola is a perfect destination for divers . The bay connects to the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Pensacola area Gulf of Mexico offers dive enthusiasts a playground of fun with thousands of dive sites to meet the expectations of divers of all experience levels.

In the early 1970s Escambia County began constructing an artificial reef system. At that time the county deployed “Casino Rubble,” “Three Barges,” and “Liberty Ship” as artificial reefs. In the mid-80s Escambia County created a Marine Recreation Committee for the purpose of artificial reef development. Today the development of reefs continue in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and includes Spanish galleons, ships of war and WWII aircrafts. Whether you are visiting Pensacola or live here, an incredible diving experience awaits.

Places to Scuba Dive

• Oriskany Reef: After nearly two years of delays caused by hurricanes and permit issues, the USS Oriskany was successfully sunk on May 17, 2006, to become the world’s largest intentionally created artificial reef. Hundreds of boats passed by the “Mighty O” after she was towed to the deployment site about 22 miles offshore from Pensacola. The U.S. Navy used more than 500 pounds of plastic explosives to blow holes into the 888 foot aircraft carrier. The Oriskany was sunk in just 37 minutes. The Oriskany Reef is located at 30° 02.600′N; 87° 00.400′W. The uppermost structure is located at 30° 02.555′N; 87° 00.397′W.
• Blackwater Bridge Rubble : This artificial reef was created from the remains of a bridge. It’s located approximately eight miles off the Pensacola Pass. This location is home to many tropical fish. The location of this reef is N30:11.800 / W87:14.170.
• USS Massachusetts: This is located nearly two miles off the Pensacola Pass.
• For a complete list and coordinates of dive locations click here.

Where to Get Scuba Diving Lessons

• MBT Dive and Surf Pensacola
• Dive Pros
• Scuba Shack
• Viking Diving

Scuba Diving Charters and Adventures

• Blue Water Adventures
• Easy Diver Charters
• Dr. Dive
• Down Under Dive Shop

Other Nearby Places to Dive

• Vortex Springs
• Morrison Springs
• Destin Jetties
• St Andrews Park Jetties | More photos
• Pensacola Beach
• Perdido Pass Jetties

If you enjoy shore dives or you’re not a trained diver and would like to snorkel, there is a new reef on Pensacola Beach. It’s only 450 feet offshore and is said to have jack fish, Spanish mackerel among other sea life. The water is shallow at approximately 14 to 15 feet.

You don’t have to fly to the Caribbean to scuba dive and snorkel. Enjoy clear, beautiful waters full of sea life right here on the Gulf Coast.

Photo by wwarby

Saturday, April 23rd, 2011
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For more information: Earth Day Pensacola

Supporting Florida’s Gulf Coast!