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Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail:
Florida
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Description:
Just west of bustling downtown Jacksonville, the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail, one of north Florida's oldest, traverses a rural setting of hardwood uplands, wetlands, and pine flatwoods. A dense tree canopy shelters much of the nearly 15-mile paved path, providing habitat for hawks, wood storks, stilts, and belted kingfishers. You're also likely to encounter turkeys, alligators, rabbits, gopher tortoises, and coral snakes. Beware the latter, a venomous species with wide black and red bands broken by narrow yellow rings. The Imeson Road trailhead, closest to Jacksonville, is a good place to start an out-and-back journey. Here you'll find the first of several restroom facilities and benches along the trail. This also marks the start of a separate equestrian trail that runs in the adjacent tree line, except where creek crossings bring trail users together. Midway along the trail is the Camp Milton Historic Preserve rest area. Once home to the largest encampment of Confederate troops during the Civil War, the site includes the remains of a mile-long defensive works, a re-creation of a late 19th century homestead, a replica bridge, an arboretum, and extensive boardwalks. Just west of Camp Milton, you may hear naval aircraft on training runs at nearby Whitehouse Field. You'll find plenty of restaurants, convenience stores, and gas stations near the trail's eastern endpoint in Jacksonville and at its terminus in Baldwin. Plans are in the works to connect this trail to neighboring recreational and ecological corridors.
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Parking & Trail Access:
Directions from downtown Jacksonville: To reach the Imeson Road trailhead, take I-10 west to Exit 356/I-295 North and head up I-295 to Exit 9/Commonwealth Avenue. Drive west on Commonwealth about a mile to Imeson and turn right. The marked trailhead is on the left. To reach the Brandy Branch Road trailhead, take I-10 west to Exit 343/US Highway 301 and head north to US Highway 90. Turn left, drive west about two miles, then turn right on Route 121/Brandy Branch Road. The marked trailhead is on the right. Contact: City of Jacksonville 555 West 44th Street Jacksonville, FL 32208 (904) 630-5400
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Rode this trail this weekend.
By Lindaosm on August 16, 2009
My husband and I rode this trail last weekend. We started at the Balwin Trailhead, went west and then turned and rode to the east to the end. Great trail. Not much traffic to contend with. In riding many other trails around the state I would say that this one needs more covered places to stop along the way. There were benches but few picnic table/covered areas. Unfortunately we got caught in a thunderstorm and rode the last 7 miles in heavy rain.

The only wildlife sighting we had were 2 black snakes sunning themselves on the trail. Overall, a nice trail.
Great Trail
By stuartbacon on April 16, 2009
We rode this trail last week (April 2009). It was wonderful. No congestion, cool and absolutely beautiful! The best yet!
Getting More Beautiful Every Year
By Steve0415 on April 23, 2008
My wife and I have ridden thousands of miles on this trail. It is beautiful, with a tree canopy covering probably 75% of it. We have seen squirrels, rabbits, snakes, deer, longhorn steer,turkeys, pheasants, cattle, birds of every kind, vultures, eagles, goats, turtles....it's like a visit to the zoo! The trail is blacktopped and very smooth. It is maintained by the City of Jacksonville, and they blow off debris every day.