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A beautiful 7.1-mile trail along the St. Johns River and within the floodplain swamp.


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Map Key

7.2

Miles

11.6

KM

Point to Point

70' 21 m

High

2' 1 m

Low

219' 67 m

Up

206' 63 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

7%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Description

The Black Bear Wilderness Area Trail is just over 7 miles round trip. The trail makes its way along an old berm that has been abandoned for over 40 years and circles the majority of the 1,600-acre Black Bear Wilderness Area. Huge oaks and red cedars, along with many other species, now cover the berm save for the trail down the middle. On either side of the berm trail is the floodplain swamp of the St. Johns River.

If you take the trail counter-clockwise, you'll reach the St. Johns River after about one mile. The trail then follows the river for several miles more before turning southwest and heading back into the floodplain swamp. A total of 14 boardwalks have been placed along the trail where the berm has been removed to open the floodplain back to the St. Johns River. The trail is dry for the majority of the year, however it is in the floodplain of the St. Johns River.

Flora & Fauna

You'll see a lot of wading birds, pygmy rattlesnakes, deer, and, as the name states, black bears are often seen as well.

Contacts

Shared By:

Mark Brandenburg

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 28 votes

#154

Overall
  4.6 from 28 votes
5 Star
70%
4 Star
19%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Florida

#154

Overall
22 Views Last Month
2,691 Since Jun 22, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
4%
83%
8%
4%
0%

Photos

A beautiful black bear looks for lunch in its namesake wilderness area.
Jun 22, 2017 near DeBary, FL
A coyote seen along the trail.
May 30, 2018 near DeBary, FL
Hiking on the Black Bear Wilderness Trail
Jan 12, 2020 near DeBary, FL
Bridge
Feb 16, 2022 near DeBary, FL
Black bear is one of the best hikes in the area!
Sep 22, 2019 near Heathrow, FL
St John's Overlook
Feb 16, 2022 near DeBary, FL
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