Picayune Strand State Forest: Sabal Palm Hiking Trail

This 3-mile trail system winds through mostly pine flatwoods and freshwater swamp, and passes some reclaimed farm fields along the way. Thanks to careful management this site not only contains all the dry upland species such as Hairy Woodpeckers, Pine Warblers and Brown-headed Nuthatches, it also contains one of the southernmost populations of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in the country. Portions of the trail are very wet during the summer rainy season, but persistent birders who make it to the farm fields at the southern end of the trail system will be rewarded with views of White and Glossy Ibises, Wood Stork and Sandhill Crane. Go prepared and stay on the marked trail at all times of day!