An excellent overnight backpacking trip which is also a segment of the Florida Trail, the Wiregrass Trail gets you into the heart of an ecosystem that has vanished across most of the Southeast—the longleaf pine forest. These rolling clayhills are topped with stately longleaf pine and wiregrass, with views that go on and on as you look out beneath the pines. This primary habitat is occasionally broken up by depressions with titi swamps, fragrant in spring but a bit tricky to traverse. Once south of Hurricane Lake, the trail parallels the Blackwater River, offering a few spots to clamber down to white sand beaches, before rising back up into the hills to meet the Jackson Red Ground Trail.
Resources
 |
 |
Overview
Location: Munson
Length: 12.8 miles (17.8 to Karick Lake)
Lat-Long: 30.996750, -86.775850 (north end), 30.904967, -86.698900 (junction with Jackson Red Ground), 30.896467, -86.641867 (Karick Lake access)
Type: Linear
Fees / Permits: state forest entrance fee
Good for: backpacking, birding, campgrounds, dogs, wildlife
Difficulty: 3 of 5
Bug factor: 2 of 5
Restroom: yes, at recreation areas
Although the Wiregrass Trail technically starts at the Alabama state line along with the Florida Trail, logistically it makes more sense to hike between Hurricane Lake and Karick Lake Recreation Areas, an overnight trip, unless you’re seeking to complete the full Florida Trail segment. It’s far safer to leave cars within the recreation areas (inform the camp host you’ll be backpacking) than outside of them.
Directions
or the southern trailhead, follow SR 189 north from US 90 to Karick Lake Recreation Area. Use the Jackson Red Ground Trail, which starts at Karick Lake, to connect to the Wiregrass Trail (5 mile connector). Alternatively, access the trail via Hurricane Lake Recreation Area: follow SR 189 north to CR 28; turn west and follow signs to Hurricane Lake.
Hike Details
Alabama State Line—Start of the Florida Trail on the south side of the AHTS sign; be sure to sign the trail register before you start hiking south along the Wiregrass Trail.
Beaver Creek Rd—Cross paved road twice. Second crossing is the closest paved trail access to the end of the trail.
North Hurricane Lake campground—Enter at far end of dam along lake; camping ($9+), picnic tables, restrooms, water. Stop in and visit with Jimmy, the campground host.
Kennedy Bridge—Cross Blackwater River on Kennedy Bridge Road. Water source. Waterfall nearby.
Blackwater River campsite—Not the trashy campsite at the end of the road on the river, this campsite is off the trail to the north of where the trail meets the river and provides river access. Use map and compass: campsite 2500 feet from trail at 220 degrees, down forest roads. May be difficult to find without compass.
Honey Creek—Cross Honey Creek. Water source.
Wiregrass Trail—Junction marked with sign. Leave the Jackson Red Ground Trail here to head northwest on Wiregrass Trail towards North Hurricane Lake. Jackson Red Ground Trail continues southeast 4.8 miles to Karick Lake campgrounds with camping, water, restrooms, and swimming.
