Highlights and Precautions:
A primitive hiking experience through Gulf coastal pine flatwoods, cypress and gum swamps, hardwood ham-
mocks and saltmarshes. Terrain is mostly flat and dry (except in heavy rain). Historic points on/near the west section of Trail: Ft. San Marcos de Apalache, old logging mill’s sawdust mound, Confederate salt works. Scenic highlights: Cathedral of Palms (virgin palm hammock), Shepherd Spring, & Marsh Point. Check with the Visitor Center [850-925-6121] for regulations, prescribed burn schedule and hunting seasons.
Mileage Points, east-to-west:
00.0Trail crosses Riverside Dr. (Ft. San Marcos de Apalache 0.5 mi. west), continuingnorth on St. Marks bicycle path.
02.8Cross US 98 at north end of St. Marks bicycle path. Continue west into woods. (Convenience store to east.)
03.8Cross River Plantation Rd
04.7Jct US 98 at Manatee Way.
04.8Highway bridge over WakullaRiver.
05.2Jct US 98 and trail on south side of hwy. (Trailhead. Water from spigot at Thompson Houseoffice.)
06.4Jct north end of 1.1-mi. blue-blazed high water route. (Sawdust Hill campsite 0.4 mi. to east)
08.4Jct south end of 1.1-mi. blue-blazed high water route.
09.6Cross Wakulla Beach Rd. (FR 201). (parking on west side of intersection)
11.3Jct with FR200/FR209 -- east end of blue-blazed high water route.
11.7East boundary of “The Cathedral” (old-growth palm trees).
12.3West boundary of “The Cathedral.”
12.4Cross FR 210. Jct 300-ft. blue-blazed trail to Shephard Spring (with resident gator).
13.1Jct 140-ft. blue-blaze to Wakulla Field Camp.
13.5Jct with FR 211 briefly to avoid wet area.
13.7Jct with FR 215.
14.6Jct FR 215 and FR 214. (Blue-blazed high water route to west on FR 214)
15.7Jct with Shell Pt. Rd. (CR 367). Continue south 0.2 mi. on Shell Pt. Rd. (parking on road shoulder)
15.9Jct with Shell Pt. Rd. (CR 367). Trail continues to west into woods. (parking on road shoulder)
16.4Pass Porter Tract Campsite.
18.3Cross Spring Creek Hwy. (CR 365). Pond beside trail. (parking on road shoulder)
20.2Spring Creek bridge.
22.0Marsh Point Campsite.
22.2Blue-blazed trail leads0.1 mi. out to Marsh Point: scenic view over salt marshes and old salt works.
24.0Jct. blue-blaze spur toPurify Bay Rd. trailhead.
26.3Cross US 98. (Panacea 3 miles to south.)
27.4Jct Carraway Cutoff Rd. at Medart trailhead.
27.5Cross bridge over small stream.
27.7Cross US 319 and enter ApalachicolaNational Forest.
Trail Access directions [NOTE: NO OVERNIGHT PARKING ALLOWED IN THE REFUGE]:
(1) St. Marks: Across Riverside Drive from south end of the bike path. Trail continues north on the bike path. (2) Thompson House TH: S. side of US 98, 0.3 mi. W. of Wakulla River. (3) Wakulla Beach Rd. (FR 201): 1.0 mi. S. of US 98. (4) Shell Pt. Rd. (CR 367): 2.5 mi. S. of US 98. (5) Spring Creek Hwy (CR 365): 2.7 mi. S. of US 98. (6) Purify Bay Rd. TH: From N. jct. of US 319 & US 98 in Medart, go SW. & take 1st left S. on Jack Crum Rd. (CR 375). Go 0.2 mi. and take right fork ontoPurify Bay Rd. GoS. 1.8 mi. and TH, with parking, is on the left. (7) Carraway Cutoff TH: From S.jct. of US98 & US 319 in Medart, go 1.2 mi. W. on US 319, turn S. on Carraway Cutoff Rd. go 0.1 mi. to TH on left. All parking at your own risk.
Conveniences:
Supplies: St. Marks, Spring Creek, Medart, Panacea.
Lodging: St. Marks: Sweet Magnolia B&B, Shell Island Fish Camp. West of St. Marks: The Inn at Wildwood Resort on US 98. Campgrounds: Newport Park 850-925-4530, Shell Island Fish Camp 850-925-6226, Ochlockonee River SP 850-962-2771.
Emergency Numbers: Emergency.: 911. Wakulla County Sheriff: 850-745-7100. FHP: 850-245-7700.