Florida Trail - Hopkins Prairie is a 12.8 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Georgetown, Florida that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
11 Mile section of the Florida Trail that travels through the Juniper Wilderness Area. Very popular camping spot at Hidden Pond about half way through hike.
Florida Office of Visitor Inquiry, Division of Tourism, 126 W. Van Buren Street , Tallahassee, FL, 32399-2000, Phone: 904-487-1462
Directions from Salt Springs, FL: Travel southeast along State Highway 19 approximately 8 miles. Turn right (west) onto Forest Route 86. In about a mile, a spur road to the right leads to Hopkins Prairie.
February 27, 2021trail was OK. mostly sugar sand and right on the edge of the Prarie, so no shade. there were some nice views, and lots of birds to watch
February 6, 2021Well marked, easy, fun, dog friendly and got to look at Hopkins prairie campground. Very nice wirh large campsites bot tent and RV
November 28, 2020Great cover for part of hike. Great views. Good time of year to do this one. Quiet out on the trail.
June 27, 2020The trail has absolutely no potable water. If you choose to boil it, bring a filter and iodine tablets. Everything is stagnant and warm. There is no water pump like it says in previous reviews. Also, after the first 2-3 miles, there’s no shade at all. Prepare over a gallon of water and show up hydrated. Try to avoid in the summer. The map and pictures show large-ish bodies of water, but they are misplaced photos. There’s none, even to take a dip in. The trail is deceptively long and winding. Take precaution. This is not a beginner trail. Be safe.
November 22, 2017I’m not sure this trail is really on AllTrails. But there are two of them. Lake eaton One is a sinkhole there’s a boardwalk. It’s pretty amazing. I missed it the last time I was here somehow. The other is a trail around the lake. Lake eaton. You have a feeling of real isolation when you’re here. But you’re really not that far from Silver Springs. You know you stayed at the right hotel when at the elevator they show a map how to get to this place. I came early in the morning 6:30 AM I thought I might hear more birds. But still a very fun walk invigorating. 56°
August 10, 2017I can't wait to try this walk in the fall, and it's not so humid sure mosquitoes, fewer biting flies. I think would've really like about this trail is how far off the beaten path you feel. What are you are you go on several dirt roads to get to it. And you won't likely see anybody on the trail, although they are wonderfully marked with signs throughout about the wildlife. The boardwalk so great if only I could learn to walk without scaring off all the wildlife. Lots of spiderwebs so bring a Walkingstick. If her last birds in the morning humidity is still very high.
August 3, 2017There are two trails here. I went on the sinkhole loop first. If you like isolated, thick woods and narrow trAils this is perfect. I only had time to do a little bit of the lake eaton trail. I'll be back to see the lake. Once again I used the trekking poles brother Jim gave me. Thanks Jim
August 7, 2015Went on July 8-9th, got a late start so we had to battle a lot of spiders at night. We didn't get in until after midnight. But going through the prairie was beautiful, and a group of A-10 Warthogs practicing at the naval bombing range was a nice way to start the trail. I wouldn't recommend hiking in the middle of the summer, going back when the weather is more favorable!!
March 20, 2015Hiked this trail this past Saturday. We had great weather , was a great hike. Took a refreshing dip in Hidden Pond. The hand water well pump is not working at Hopkins Prairie. The campground at Hopkins Prairie was a lot better than I thought it would be.
February 24, 2015This was a very good trail. My first solo. Since hidden pond is at the halfway mark, I recommend boiling your water here or it's roughly a 5 mile hike each way with minimal water (at least when I went in February)Hopkins Prarie has a beautiful sunset and sunrise. Not many ticks as long as you stay on the trail. Would recommend as an easy trail. Pump was turned off at Hopkins because of high amoeba as of 2-21-15. You should always boil it anyways, right? Met awesome people too!
August 5, 2013I recently hiked from Hopkins Prairie to Hidden Pond, and I loved every second of it. This time of year is not really suitable for this kind of hike. There is shade on only about 15-20% of the trail, and with stifling temperatures and high humidity be prepared to sweat. Left from Hopkins Prairie (free parking) around 4PM and made it to Hidden Pond by 6:30-7:00. I was lucky enough to not have ANY visitors the entire time I was there. DO NOT SWIM IN HIDDEN POND THIS TIME OF YEAR. The water was extremely warm and could almost guarantee amoebas are a high threat. Boil all water from Hidden Pond. After 3 days at Hidden Pond I would recommend the hike to anyone. BRING 40 DEET!, it will save your sanity.
January 2, 2013
First to ReviewWe had an overnight hike/camp of this area. It was a good hike, perfect temperature, but the wilderness has been burned and so there was not a lot of coverage from the sun. Also, having no trees or anything made the scenery lackluster. I probably won't be back, but I would recommend it for a one time hike. Stopping at hidden pond to camp halfway through was great. Although there were more people around than I like to see.
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