Blackwater Heritage State Trail Reviews    

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Good Trail for Beginners

By mathteacher45 in November, 2012

We parked at the Milton Trailhead on Elva St. and headed north. Once you get past all the intersections in the city, you can pick up some speed and a steady pace. It's beautiful, flat, about 5 ft. wide and well-kept except when you get to the Military Heritage part. For about 1/4 mile the trail was strewn with leaves, pine needles, branches, trees uprooting through the asphalt, pot holes. Then it cleared up. If you have a military or government issued employee ID, you may be able to get into the Whiting Field NAS. South of the Milton trailhead, the trail continues for only about 2 miles. It's a great trail for all levels of bikers, especially beginners or non-aggressive riders b/c it is flat, rural and not crowded (in November).

Great ride!

By allensco in August, 2012

I, along with a group of friends rode the trail on Sunday, Aug 12, 2012. We found it to be very nice and well kept! Was a pleasure to see benches and a restroom on the trail in case a break is needed. Will certainly go back for another ride in the future. Allen S. Opp, AL

Good for all ages

By gracelevi in June, 2012

I found the trail to be very clean and well keep. It's good for bikes or walking for people of all ages. No hills but you do have to cross some streets. The beginning in Bagdad was to say the least a little odd, out in the midle of no were. All the trees help keep it cool and in Florida you need that. Will ride again.

Nice trail and enjoyed the signage identifying the trees

By jbwla in May, 2012

We rode the Blackwater Rail Trail on Friday April 27, 2012. Started at Minton FL trailhead. Good parking for a narrow, Roadtrek, 20 foot motor home but probably not for anything bigger. Agree with the other posting that there are several stop signs and road crossings as you head north but once you get out of Minton it is smooth riding to the military base. The trail gets a little rough and narrow at the military base. We turned around due to time constraints but it looked like you could easily ride the remaining 1-2 miles. There is a bike shop by the trail head which came in handy as we had a glass puncture on the trail and had to replace our tube. There must be only one piece of glass on the trail but we managed to find it. The trail was in good shape. The trail was nice, tree signage along the way was helpful as we don't live in the area.

Very Nice Ride

By soul.of.mine in December, 2009

Just moved back to town, and was happy to find this trail. I heard it was being built years ago, and I was honestly a little surprised at how well it has been maintained. Biked from the lot @ Hwy. 90 and rode up to Whiting and back in just under 2 hours.

If I were to have a complaint at all (which this is hardly a complaint), it would be that there are quite a few road crossings and stop signs with blind corners while you are in Milton. You have to get right up to the street, and definitely come to a stop to check for traffic. Not really a complaint. It breaks up the rhythm, which I guess can be good as a warm-up and cool-down if you are parked at that end of the trail. Once you are out of town there are far fewer road crossings and you can crank up the speed a little bit.

Didn't travel on the trail south of Hwy. 90. Didn't feel like trying to cross the highway as traffic was a bit heavy.

I will definitely do this one again. Nice ride.

Great Trail and Excellently Kept

By in October, 2007

"Blackwater Trail is perfect for a easy ride for anyone. The Trail is kept in excellent condition by very dedicated employees. I have spent some time talking with them and they truly love what they are doing and have plans for further improvements.

There is now a south part of the trail that runs approximately 1 mile south of Hwy 90.

If you stop in at Truly Spokin, the bike shop right across the street, they have maps that will allow you to get up to 100 miles of riding on the local roads that attach to the trail.

Truly Spokin is also a very friendly and well stafted bike shops if you need any repairs or a bike.

I have seen a large assortment of animals as well as varying plant life on the trail. I actually starting riding the trail when no one was on it. Now, if you do not arrive before 8 or 9 am you will not get a parking spot at the trail head. There is a church near by that does not seem to mind you parking there."

Fine trail for everyone

By in July, 2005

"We rode from Milton Trailhead to the Military property,line and back in the evening. It was an enjoyable ride and the facilities at the trailhead were excellent. We had alate dinner on their picnic table with freash water and restrooms available. Nice level trail with many shaded areas."

Easy to navigate

By in November, 2004

The biggest thing I noticed during my first two visits to this trail was that the locals weren't too friendly. The trail itself is very easy to navigate. Going north seems to be more of a gradual uphill.

Most of the trail gives you a country feel but not the sort of woodsie feel that I was expecting. The trail is very clean until you get into the military base where they haven't cleaned up from the hurricane yet.

Easy Trail

By in December, 2002

"This is a nice easy trail. On the trail, I saw snakes, turtles, rabbits and deer. This would be a good trail to take the family out on."

"Pleasant trail, unique wildlife"

By in November, 2001

"I live near this trail and often ride it as a relaxing change of pace from riding on local roads.

The trail has only minimal inclines and is very easy for families with children to do. Plenty of shade for hot days also. But what I like best about it the trail is the wildlife you're likely to see there. I've seen several deer, raccoons, rabbits of course, and one early morning an owl. The flora is also interesting--in addition to the wildflowers, there are loads of pitcher plants, this area's indigenous carnivorous plant. The pitchers are tall plants, rising from a green stalk to a white, purple-veined, trumpet-shaped ""pitcher."" They have a delicate beauty that hides their gruesome way of life--luring and trapping unsuspecting insects inside the pitcher of fluid, where they first drown, then are slowly digested to feed the plant. Yikes! But their habitat is slowly disappearing, so see them soon.

Very friendly bike shop (Truly Spokin') and Tastee Freeze (ice cream stand) at the trailhead, for those who don't live on insects."

Riding the Blackwater Heritage Trail

By in November, 2001

"This paved trail starts in the City of Milton and eventually enters rural areas before ending at the east gate to Naval Air Station Whiting Field.

Over the course of some nine or ten miles, the trail increases in elevation from about 25 Ft ASL to 150 ASL... a gentle climb. Most of the climb is in the northern segments.

There are numerous street crossings in Milton, but northeast of the West Florida Library, the crossings become more distant.

An excellent family trail. Peaceful."

Blackwater Heritage State Trail

By clarice99 in April, 2001

"In my other review, when I reread it, I felt that I had not made one point clear. The trailhead is at the intersection of higways 90 and 87, not 90 and 89. It is in Milton behind an ice cream/tastee freeze, not far from city hall. We enjoyed the trail and will do it again."

"enjoyable, easy trail"

By clarice99 in April, 2001

"I forgot to also mention in my review that there is a bike rental store at the trail head. My rental was a bit pricey, $12.50 for half a day but the bike was very good."

Blackwater Heritage Trail

By clarice99 in April, 2001

"The trailhead is a bit difficult to find. It's behind a Tastee-Freeze which is on 87North in Milton, less than a block North of the intersection of 87N and Highway 90. We saw two ""flocks"" of wild guineas and lots of wild azaleas, etc., in bloom. Very nice trail. We'd do it again."