The trail itself was just a paved path unlong the trees which sheltered from the sun. Good for those riding with children and/or disabled persons.
I parked at the camp milton parking lot to access the trail. my vehicle was broken into while riding. Glass smashed in. Reported it to authorities. I was told that several robberies has happened there and surrounding area(not sure at the parking lot at baldwin park enterance). Just ran "burlary camp milton jacksonville" through the search engine and found a posting on a forum dating back to 2008 stating the same thing happened, car robbery. I really think that this place is not a safe place to take a bike ride....

I don't know that I would drive for hours to get to this trail, but it is definitely worth a drive if you're local. I live in Jacksonville and have used the trail many times. It is decently kept, there is a bathroom and water fountain built at an old train station a little farther than midway from the Jax end of the trail. There are porta potties and parking at the jax and baldwin trail ends. The main selling point for me is there are only 2 or 3 street crossings so it there is no traffic to contend with and the scenery is decent in general, but actually very nice as far as Jacksonville goes. Scenery wise, there are horse and cattle farms along the way, and lots of tree cover. The trail is flat for the most part, there are a few slight hills that work your legs if you're used to the usual flat jacksonville stuff, but it's an easy ride. I've taken road bikes, mountain bikes, and even an 3 speed in-hub french number from the 60's on this trail and they all got me through with ease. There aren't many places nearby to eat so I'd pack some snacks.

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.

We rode this trail last week (April 2009). It was wonderful. No congestion, cool and absolutely beautiful! The best yet!

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.

"I thoroughly enjoyed this trail, along with my granchildren whose father is in the Navy and stationed here. I have a question for the person who reviewed the trail on 4-25-2006 titled wow wow wow. You encouraged someone to maintain this nice trail. To whom were you addressing this comment? My question to you is - what are you doing to help maintain trails in whatever area you live? Most trail maintenance is done by volunteers. "

"I'm new to the whole hiking and biking trail experience and the jax-baldwin trail has put a good impression on me. It was easy to find, all the other cyclist smiled back at me, and there was plenty of parking. Very, very beautiful. We're privelaged to have something like this in young jax. only one suggestion: please maintain this trail."

"The directions to the Baldwin trailhead In this directory are ""[Baldwin Trailhead and Park: From Jacksonville, take Interstate 10 west to Exit 50 (new Exit 343) for US 301. Head north on US 301 (toward Baldwin), continuing through Baldwin to the trailhead]"" would be continuing through Baldwin turn just West of where 301 turns north again. If you turn north on 301 you will not see it. We had asked and noone knew where it was. We saw where it crossed 301 and so first went East and then West and found it.

It was 25 miles round trip and a beautiful ride, mostly canopied with trees. There is a new park going in about 5 miles east of Baldwin. New FLUSH bathroom in with country cabin look and knotty pine interior! BEAUTIFUL. Big park going in behind that. All adjoining the bike path. Thanks for the help in finding Rail Trails. We love them."

"The trail is lovely. The Baldwin trailhead is very nice - but finding it is difficult. The trail website states ""Head north on US 301 (toward Baldwin), continuing through Baldwin to the trailhead""

The trailhead is located Center St N. As you are traveling north on 301/90 turn left on Center St N; follow until it ends. You'll see the park and just follow the raod around until you get to the parking lot.

Once there, you'll really enjoy the trail.

"

"I've ridden this track many times, but have not seen any deer. Today I got out early, riding by 8:00AM and saw a bunch. Have Fun and Keep Riding!!"

"We live in Hattiesburg Mississippi and are fortunate to have one of the best Rails to Trails in the country, Long Leaf Trace, so yes, we are spoiled and are sometimes disappointed in trails we've visited but not this one. It's a beautiful trail that has plenty of nature and a nice wide track. We're use to seeing a lot of deer, turkeys, squirrels and rabbits on our trail here in south MS. We saw several snakes and some awesome-huge grasshoppers on the Baldwin trail! This trail wasn't real busy either, we only saw one fellow cyclist, it was threatning rain though. The only suggestion we would like to make to the managers of the trail is to please post some signs marking the trail entrances from the highway and the small city streets. We had to stop twice and ask if we were heading in the right direction. If we hadn't, we would have never found the trail. We enjoyed our Baldwin ride when we got there!"

"On our many outings on the trail we have seen deer, turkeys, foxes, hawks, rabbits and one rabbit in the process of becoming a hawk, at least part of a hawk. We have seen several coral snakes. You don't see these guys often. I have never seen one anywhere else but the zoo. We have seen wood storks, stilts and herons in the ditches on the road to the power plant, a worthy side trip. We have seen diamond back rattle snakes, timber rattlers, and pygmies. We have seen ribbon snakes, racers, rat snakes and moccasins. We have seen a huge variety of wildflowers and plants. It is a heck of a nature walk that many people miss because they are so focused on going fast."

The Baldwin Trail is the premier trail in the Jacksonville Area. The trail offers postcard views and great areas for picnics along the trail.

"This trail is really nice. It is close enough to my house so that I don't have to load my bike into my car and drive to the trail.

I get on near the Imeson trailhead, so that makes it really convenient. We can ride the whole trail to Baldwin and then go to Everybody's Restaurant to eat dinner. This makes it a nice family outing, or we just take a picnic. Then, we just ride back home.

e rode two weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon and saw three gopher tortoises, two deer, an alligator, several birds including a belted kingfisher, numerous squirrels and lots and lots of beautiful butterflies. Today we rode it and only saw two baby gopher tortoises, birds including our belted kingfisher that we saw the last time, squirrels and butterflies. Each trip you can expect to see different things.

The canopy of trees really makes this trail something special. It is just gorgeous; you'll see quite a bit of wild flowers. I haven't tried the other rail-trails but, with this one so close to my home I am satisfied with it. I have ridden it several times and don't get bored with it. I could ride it everyday and count each time as a new adventure.

I see a lot of people on the trail, on bikes, hiking, inline skates, horses, jogging, you name it. I am glad that they put something so nice out on this side of town. Besides the Jacksonville Zoo, this is about the only outdoor entertainment that we have in Jacksonville. Anyway, I could go on and on.

So, just get out your bicycles or go buy one and hit the trail. You won't be sorry."

"We tried the Jacksonville - Baldwin trail in mid September 2004 between hurricanes and tropical storms. It is a flat east-west 14.5 miles each way and we embarked from the Brandy Branch trailhead at the western most point. We were the only car in the lot and when we passed Baldwin we noticed an empty lot also. Did a round trip to the Imeson Road trailhead (3 cars) and only passed four other bikers. Surface of black top made for an extreemly smooth riding through fields and swamps with good foliage shade. The surface was clean and tree debris from the storms were sawed away from the trail and removed. Grassy sides of the pathway were mowed and clean. This is a great path for viewing assorted wildlife including a huge cottonmouth moccasin sun bathing on the asphault (we didn't stop to visit). Deer, cows, chickens, hawks and occasional eagles abound as well as goats and the usual Florida native wildlife. If you plan to stop at one of the many benches thoughtfully set along the trail you should bring a good mosquito repellant during warm weather due to the swamp nature of much of the locale. Porta-potties are located at each of the three trailheads and midway is a first class his and hers pine panalled rest facility complete with stainless steel fixtures and diaper changing station. Quite impressive! All in all, this is the best longer ride in northeast Florida and similar in many ways to the Siver Comet trail in Atlanta. Go do it! You'll be glad you did. "

"This is the fourth trail we have reviewed and it is the best so far. We started at the Baldwin Brandy Branch Road trailhead where the trail is mostly flat and well shaded. It is extremely well maintained with grassy banks on both sides that had been recently mowed. Most of the trail is shaded by a canopy of trees. As you get nearer to the Jacksonville end, the trail is less shaded and there are several cross roads. The trail is well travled by other bikers, joggers and in-line skaters and is apparently used by horses also. The Jacksonville and Baldwin trailheads feature ample parking lots. The Jax parking lot was full by the time we arrived there attesting to the number of users of this trail. "

"This trail is perfect for everyone regardless of thier experience level. Ride, jog, walk or skate -- whatever your pleasure this trail will far exceed your expectations.

The 10-foot wide trail allows for plenty of room for couple and group rides. It's mostly shaded and provides plenty of livestock viewing. Just make sure you don't run over any chickens and you will have a blast. "

"This 14.5-mile long asphalt surfaced trail is a magnet for bikers and in-line skaters living in or near Jacksonville and Baldwin, FL. The trail boasts three dedicated trail user parking lots, a former railroad caboose, a restroom facility fashioned as a railroad station, a gated trail crossing over an active railroad line, safety signage at all street crossings, and much more.

On the day of my visit the Imeson Road Trailhead parking lot in Jacksonville was full. However, the Baldwin and Brandy Branch Trailhead parking lots had one car each parked in them. The three parking lots are identically constructed and sized. Portable restrooms are located at the Imeson Road and Brandy Branch lots. The permanent restroom facility fashioned as a train station is located in Baldwin adjacent to a municipal park; that‘s where you‘ll find the old caboose as well. There’s also a working water fountain at the Baldwin Trailhead and Park.

If you enjoy biking flat paved surfaces, or are an avid in-line skater, and don’t mind dealing with loads of street crossings, give this trail a try. Bring plenty of water in the summer though!"

"This is one of my favorite trails. It is so relaxing. I have seen deer, foxes, rabbits and snakes. If you want to get a decent bike ride in without having to worry about traffic, this is the place to be! The trail is very well maintained. "

"Pleasant and relaxing. A great trail for bikers, runners and skaters."

"Jax->Baldwin is one of the best trails. The trailway is smooth and wide. There are no breaks in the asphalt. Sight distance is excellent. Leaving Jax, the trail cuts through sparsely settled gently rolling terrain. At 6 miles it crosses a stream (not potable). Beyond 7 miles, the trail enters a wooded section with considerable canopy overhead. This section is exquisite. There is a parking lot with water and potties at Baldwin (12.5 mi). The trail ends at FL 121 (14.5 mi). Use is variable, but the width of the trail makes even two-abreast safe."

"Nice trail, use is developing nicely. Need more parking spaces at the Imeson Rd trail head at times (a good sign!)"

"This is a wonderful trail. Very scenic, shady and friendly. Watch out for the cows that occassionally get out!
Happy Trails! "

"I'ved lived in Jax all my life, this is the best thing the city has done.
If you ain't been on the trail you should
try it, you'll love it! I hope the city will continue to maintain it. Lots of improvements could be made but I'm happy to have it as it is! Dennis "

Thanks to the great folks who made this possible.

"The Jacksonville-Baldwin rail trail is a wonderful asset in a city that is already a pleasure to live in. I'm a resident of Jacksonville and have been riding the trail nearly every weekend for about a year and a half. It's a great way to relax and get some fresh air. The Jacksonville trail head is easily accessible via I-295. There's a great little diner about a quarter of a mile off the trail in Baldwin, so there's a nice mix of nature and civilized comfort. Try it. You'll like it."