Florida National Scenic Trail - Wakulla Section

Florida National Scenic Trail – Wakulla Section is the Florida Trail long-distance segment that runs through St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, threading coastal pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, and saltmarsh wilderness. Within this stretch the route is generally flat, with extended crossings of wet ground in low areas.

Expect about 22–24 miles depending on where you start and end within the refuge. The main route uses orange blazes; blue blazes mark high-water routes and spur trails you’ll use to bypass wetter stretches.

A major anchor on the route is the Cathedral of Palms area between Wakulla Beach Road and Spring Creek Highway. This old-growth palm hammock is a well-known interior section of the Wakulla portion, and it’s directly tied to a short spur to Shepherd Spring.

Shepherd Spring sits on the Florida Trail network inside the refuge and is accessed via the Cathedral of Palms spur. Treat this as a key “destination” stop if you’re breaking the long-distance segment into day hikes.

This section includes long refuge road stretches—roughly 14 to 15 miles can follow gravel and dirt refuge roads that are closed to vehicles—so a portion of your time is on road prism rather than footpath.

Water planning matters because low-lying areas can flood significantly after heavy rain. Much of the trail is typically dry, but you should be ready for saturated ground after storms and for wetter conditions in the marshy interior.

Camping and overnighting in the refuge require specific permits, and the refuge has restrictions that can affect when and where you can camp during certain periods. For the St. Marks River crossing at St. Marks, you must arrange local boat passage.

More information: Official website, Map, Cathedral of Palms, Florida Trail Shepherd Spring