Located in the rural backwoods of Chuluota, a segment of the Florida Trail traverses sloping terrain in the Mills Creek floodplain, part of a connection between two large state forests. This land was acquired by the Trust for Public Land in 2002, who turned it over to the US Forest Service. In turn, volunteers built a brand-new trail replacing a roadwalk with over two miles of scenic paths through scrub forests, wetlands, and shady oak hammocks.

A decent amount of infrastructure was needed to span this natural area, requiring the construction of bridges and long puncheons through the swamp. In April of last year, our trail crew upgraded the wooden walkways with wire mesh and replaced some of the boards that had deteriorated. The bridge over Mills Creek will be replaced during a work project beginning the 15th of September.

The best way to access this section of trail is from the Panorama Trailhead off Lake Mills Road. Beginning at the parking area, follow a blue blazed connector trail across an old cattle pasture for 0.4 mile to a junction with the Florida National Scenic Trail. Turning to the right, orange blazes lead through a swampy bayhead, passing a cozy thru-hiker campsite before reaching the bridge at Mills Creek. The trail continues across a scrubby forest for 0.6 miles where it ends at a two-mile roadwalk southbound to the Chuluota Wilderness Area.

Turning left from the Panorama connector junction, orange blazes indicate the path as it weaves under a shady hammock, passing an inviting picnic table and crossing a series of wetlands on a set of impressive boardwalks. The northern portion ends at Brumley Road, where the Florida Trail continues northbound into the Little Big Econ State Forest. A round trip from the trailhead to each end and back is 5.6 miles.

Florida Hikes Article for Mills Creek Woodlands