The approximately six-mile section of the Florida National Scenic Trail located on Camp Blanding crosses through several natural communities, any one of which may host military training throughout the year. Training activities near the Trail are generally congruent with Trail use and typically include activities such land navigation, orienteering, vehicle familiarization and use, control point establishment and operation, and helicopter landings and take-offs. No military training in the vicinity of the Florida Trail includes the use of live-fire weaponry or explosives, though simulation ammunition (blanks) and smoke-generation training aids may be heard or seen in the vicinity of the Trail.

Hikers on the Camp Blanding section of the Trail may encounter military personnel conducting training missions. In such an event, please do not interfere with the training and continue your hike. Please note:

• Military vehicles and equipment often have significant blind spots and lower operator visibility; drivers may not see you. Please give plenty of space to such vehicles to ensure your safety.

• Taking photos of military personnel conducting any sort of training is forbidden by Army and Camp Blanding policy. Please do not photograph or record military assets on the installation.

• Camp Blanding has hosted a wide variety of military training since its inception in 1939, and just because there is no live-fire or explosive use in the vicinity of the Trail today does not mean such weapon systems weren’t used in yesteryear. This means it is not impossible to encounter unexploded ordinance within Camp Blanding’s boundary, including along the Trail. If you see an artifact that has an overall “military look” to it, such as large bullet-shaped object or an item has tail fins like a rocket, do not touch it!

 

 

• Foot traffic only; no bicycles or horseback riding.

• All pets must be on a leash, kept away from local wildlife, and their waste must be bagged and disposed of off-site.

• All hikers must stay on the trail, except when using one of the benches, pavilions, or picnic tables visible from the Trail.

• No swimming or fishing in any of the waterbodies adjacent to, or crossed by, the Trail.

• No metal detector use of any kind.

• If you didn’t drop it, don’t pick it up (don’t collect artifacts, natural items such as pinecones or feathers, don’t pick flowers, etc.)

• No campfires, cooking fires, or open fires of any sort. Cooking with a backpacking stove or similar device is permitted.

 

 

• Tell them you are on Camp Blanding and hiking the Florida Trail.

• Include the closest road crossing to you and a Lat/Long if you have it.

To get an ambulance to your location you will also need to call Range Control. Tell them you have a medical emergency, have called 911, and then give them the same location information you relayed to 911. Range Control can guide an ambulance to the closest point to you. Range Control is not a 24/7 operation; however, and if they don’t answer, call Main Gate.

• Range Control – (904) 682.3121

• Main Gate – (904) 682.3462