Blackbird Marsh Nature Trail

Gulf Island National Seashore

Located on the northern edge of the maritime forest, this half mile easy walking loop trail encircles a section of marsh that usually hold fresh and salt water. Depending on the current weather conditions the marsh can dry up. A variety of plants live there from gnarled sand live oaks and scrubby sand pines to more common marsh plants such as cattails, sawgrass and duck potato. Native animals include raccoons, opossums, and a variety of frogs. Accessed from Campground Loop A or E.

Directions:

To reach Naval Live Oaks, Fort Pickens and Santa Rosa areas take U.S. 98 east from Pensacola, Florida. The Naval Live Oaks area is just east of Gulf Breeze on U.S. 98. To reach Fort Pickens and Santa Rosa, take Florida Route 399 from Gulf Breeze across the toll bridge to Pensacola Beach. From there, Fort Pickens is nine miles west, and the Santa Rosa area is 10 miles east. The Okaloosa Area is on U.S. 98 east of Fort Walton Beach. To reach the mainland forts on board Pensacola Naval Air Station use Blue Angle Parkway (Florida Route 173). Florida Route 292 leads southwest from Pensacola to Perdido Key Area. On the island turn left onto Johnson Beach Road.