Come immerse yourself in a world of exploration! It’s no surprise that, here at 30A, we are known for our fluffy white sands, crystal blue ocean, and golden sunshine. But, have you taken a peek at 30A’s lush wildlife that resides in our longleaf pine forests? We invite you to pack your backpack, lace up your hiking boots, and adventure into Eastern Lake’s newest scenic-view-filled destination made perfect for the family: The 30A Trailhead.
30A’s long-awaited location for adventure-seeking and nature-loving enthusiasts is finally open. Located right behind YOLO Board and Bike in Seagrove Beach lies the Point Washington State Forest’s latest addition to the Eastern Lake Trails. The hiking and biking hub is specifically located at 4695 E. Co. Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach. A new road sign on Highway 30A, along with a green and yellow 30A Trailhead mural west of The Lodge Hotel, effectively points adventurers to the summit of the new trailhead.
The 30A Trailhead is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset and is complete with expansive parking, picnic tables, a grill, bicycle parking, an informational billboard, and public restrooms.
The 30A Trailhead serves as a connector to the Eastern Lake’s other three trails: The Orange Loop, the Red Loop, and the Yellow Loop. Our new 30A Trailhead is marked by light pink blazes and is designed to be a shorter, and less difficult trail that invites the whole family into the beauty of the Point Washington State Forest. Experienced hikers can opt to advance their journey from the light pink route by hiking into the Orange Trail, piecing together the rest of their path as they choose. The 30A light pink trail is a simple one-mile hike, the Orange Loop a difficult eleven miles, The Red Loop a moderate six miles, and the Yellow Loop a moderate 3.5 miles.
Surrounded by Point Washington State Forest’s thriving wildlife, the trails offer a stunning peek into 30A’s floral, animal, and aquatic ecosystems.
If you are interested in learning more about our trail’s sights and sounds, the new 30A Trailhead features informational kiosks with photos and environmental facts, providing the opportunity to learn while you adventure.
The Trailhead hike is easy, pleasant, and has a variety of sights for the whole family to enjoy. Local runner and biker, Ramsay Stayer, shared that she, “love[s] the Eastern Lake Trails because when I run, or bike, then I get to see up to five different landscapes.” Stayer captures one feature of the Eastern Lake Trails perfectly; there really is such an impressive contrast of landscapes. One moment you may hear a bird chirping along the backdrop of a Pinetree forest, and the next you could see a frog leap atop a lily pad in the setting of a Cypress swamp. It may seem like such a condensed area would be incapable of displaying diverse sceneries, but, surprisingly, the wildlife variation is expansive.
Avid hikers will appreciate the fact that the new 30A trailhead is part of Florida State Forests’ Trailwalker Program. The hiking program offers the opportunity to trek and log ten other participating trails. After mailing in the prepaid postal survey cards, the Florida State Forests’ Trailwalker Program will reward you with a “beautiful Trailwalker patch…plus a certificate commemorating your achievement, signed by the Commissioner of Agriculture.” For more information on the Florida State Forests’ Trailwalker Program click here.
For our adventurers who love to bike, the location of the new trailhead couldn’t be more convenient. For locals who wish to conquer the trail with an advanced heavy-duty bike, or for vacationers who didn’t have the opportunity to pack their bike with them, be sure to stop by Yolo Board and Bike to learn more about their wide range of rental options.
Yolo Board and Bike also offer guided E-bike tours along the new 30A Trailhead and deeper into the Eastern Lake Loops.
The new 30A Trailhead has it all, hiking, running, biking, and even dog walking. We know so many of our locals and vacationers have a soft spot in their hearts for their sweet pets. The new 30A Trailhead provides a fantastic new walking destination for your pooch. The path ground is comprised of soft white sand, perfect for our furry friends. We like to remind owners to responsibly clean up after their dogs, and, for our owners of smaller breeds, keep an eye out for black bears.
The trails of the Florida State Forests are made possible by a small entrance fee. To pay the fee, simply scan the QR code on the informational billboard upon entering the trailhead. The Florida Forest Service’s mission statement is “to protect and manage the forest resources of Florida, ensuring that they are available for future generations.”
If you have a passion for protecting wildlife, restoring native ecosystems, or implementing hydrological functions, the Friends of Florida State Forests Organization may be for you!
Many thanks to the locals, businesses, and the Florida Forest Service for making this trailhead a reality. What a joy it is to access such rich nature right in the heart of 30A. While our “30A lifestyle” is most commonly expressed by relaxing under the sun beside our clear blue ocean, really, there is a little bit more to our lifestyle than that. It’s about disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of society’s stressors, stepping into the serene beauty of the world around us, connecting to our community, and leaning into adventure. Our new 30A Trailhead celebrates each of those aspects and we can’t wait to begin our exploring!
