St. Francis Trailhead
Offering loops of three and seven miles, the St. Francis Trail works its way through floodplain forest habitats along the St. Francis Dead River to the ghost town of St. Francis at the south edge of the Alexander Springs Wilderness Area.
St. Francis was a thriving river port in the late 1800s as steamboats worked their way from Jacksonville upriver along the St. Johns to Sanford. Here, they'd stop to exchange household goods for citrus and timber. The town faded away after river traffic vanished in the wake of railroads, but the St. Francis Trail lets visitors take a long walk through floodplain forests and pine flatwoods in search of the past.
General Information
During hunting season, all hikers must wear safety orange shirts or vests for safety's sake. If you are backpacking and camping overnight, leave word with friends or family as to when to expect you back.
The section of the trail within the floodplain forest is an excellent area to photography a large variety of fungi. A 2.8-mile short loop enables visitors to catch the highlights of this section.
The trail was built and is maintained by volunteers from the Florida Trail Association and is open to backpacking.
Amenities
- Interpretive site
- Parking
- Tent-only primitive campsites for backpackers
Licenses and Passes
Camping – Dispersed/Primitive Camping
- Many people enjoy this solitude and primitive experience, but knowing your limits, skills and abilities is a must. Following certain rules and regulations will help make your experience safer and ensure settings remain unspoiled.
Day use only: open sunrise to sunset
No fees are required for this site
Free
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 29.0129
Longitude: -81.39215
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
No restroom availableWater
Potable water is not available at this site.
