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14.5-mile paved asphalt trail
This <anchor>14.5-mile paved asphalt trail</anchor> gets you away from the noisy city and deep into the woods. It's a popular route for road and recumbent touring bikes, although the 20-mph speed limit keeps everyone at a recreational pace. The trail abuts Camp Milton Historic Preserve, an important Civil War site.
Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail, FL Top 10 Bike Trail. Map, Photos.
Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail, FL Top 10 Bike Trail. Map, Photos.

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[Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail](#top)

# Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail... Florida

## A FL Top 10 Bike Trail... E-Z Google Map, Ride Photos Galore

Although just outside Jacksonville, FL, this is an
**enjoyable rural bike ride** \- well maintained (kudos
to the Florida Department of Transportation and Jacksonville-Baldwin
Trail volunteers) and for the most part, tree-lined with virtually
**no traffic noise**. Benches and trash cans are at
regular intervals. Bring your own food and water - _no restaurants_
_or latte shops!_ ( _Map link and photos below._)

![Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-trail-010.jpg)

* * *

**Map overlay with Parking**

**Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail**

[View Larger Map](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z6BqXFRuAG5w.kde8AeQL054c)

**Location:** Duval County

**End Points:** Jacksonville, Imeson Road Trailhead to Brady Branch Road, west of Baldwin, FL

**Mileage:** 14.5 miles

**Surface:** Paved asphalt, 12 ft.

**Trailheads** at Imeson Road, Camp Milton, Halsema
Road, Baldwin (Center St.), and Brandy Branch Rd.

**Nearby points of interest:** Camp Milton Historic
Preserve Civil War site (about 6 miles west of the Imeson trailhead)

**Bike Shops/Rentals:**

[Trek Bicycle - Jacksonville Lakeshore](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/retail/jacksonville_lakeshore/)(Jacksonville)

**Support and Advocacy**

[The Timucuan Parks Foundation](https://www.timucuanparks.org/)

**Page Summary:**

1. [Biking the Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail](#section1)
3. [Eastern Section - Imeson Trailhead \
    to Halsema Trailhead and Camp Milton](#section2)


    \- Imeson Trailhead, Hannah Road, Halsema Trailhead,
    Camp Milton Historic Preserve
4. [Western Section... \
    Halsema Trailhead to Baldwin and Trail End](#section3)


    \- Baldwin
    Trailhead, Brandy Branch Trailhead
5. [More Information and Resources](#more)

* * *

### Biking the Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail... Comments and Photos

There are no congested road crossings anywhere along the trail. Most of the **"Vehicle Crossings" signs**
you will see are for gated **forestry-service roads** that haven't
been used in years. Natural habitats include pine flatwoods, wetlands, and hardwood uplands.
**Wildlife** includes hawks, songbirds, wild turkey, turtles, snakes, and deer.
A few roosters make their presence known. An **equestrian trail** parallels the Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail.
We like parking at **Camp Milton** near the midpoint -
quiet, tree-lined, and **full facilities** (more below).
**Photos** show the trail from **east to west** and mileage is approximate.

### Eastern Section - Imeson Trailhead to Halsema Trailhead   and Camp Milton

#### Imeson Trailhead to Hannah Road (3.5 Miles)

From the eastern **Imeson trailhead,** the first 3.5 miles
of the Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail are **mostly open**, with wide grassy shoulders and a good
field of view, including woods, fields, and residential areas. Since the
trail here follows a power line, there is **little shade** \-
unlike much of the rest of the trail. Proximity to Jacksonville, ample
parking and restrooms make this an active section, with many family groups
in addition to long-distance and recreational bikers - observe the 20 mph
posted speed limit. Less than a mile from the trailhead, Commonwealth Ave. is the busiest road crossing on the entire trail.

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-01a.JPG)

Imeson Trailhead, parking, restrooms

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-01.JPG)

Trail along power line leaving trailhead

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-02.JPG)

Road crossing at Commonwealth Ave.

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-03.JPG)

Rural residential

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-04.JPG)

Lines turn south, shady treeline ahead

* * *

#### Hannah Road to Camp Milton and the Halsema Trailhead (2 Miles)

After the first 3.5 miles, the trail leaves the power lines and enters
a **nice tree-lined corridor**. Here, it's about 2 miles to the **Camp Milton**
**Historic Preserve** (more below) and the
**Halsema Road Trailhead**. Full facilities are along the trail adjacent to **Camp Milton**
(paved parking, short path leads to bike trail).
Across the road and fronting the trail, the unpaved Halsema Trailhead serves
as the main **equestrian trailhead**, with horse trailer parking and a horse wash rack.
Perhaps for the shade, we see many cyclists park here on the dirt fronting the trail.
Whatever one's choice, we rate either trailhead as
**best for recreational bikers** \- near the mid-point, in the shadiest trail section,
fewer people than at Imeson, ride for miles with no difficult road crossings, and for a pleasant **hike and bike**
(OK on the path) through the Historic Preserve, get a rare glimpse of some Florida Civil War history.

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-11.JPG)

Into the canopy

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-12.JPG)

A crossroad to nowhere

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-15.JPG)

Bridge under Pritchard Rd.

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-16.JPG)

Along the trail

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-17.JPG)

Camp Milton access, restrooms

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-18.JPG)

Approaching Halsema Rd.

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-19.JPG)

Entry from trail to Halsema Trailhead

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-11a.JPG)

Halsema Trailhead - parking, picnic

* * *

#### Camp Milton Historic Preserve

**Camp Milton Historic Preserve** serves as a
trailhead for the trail, which forms its northern boundary. Rarely
crowded, there is plenty of **paved parking**, with
a short paved path (parallel to Halsema Road) leading to the bike
trail. **Bicycles are allowed** on the dirt path
in the Preserve. In addition to parking and the historic exhibits,
amenities include restrooms, benches, bike racks, hiking and
equestrian trails.

**Civil War** buffs will want to explore the preserve
and historic exhibits. Camp Milton served as a Civil War encampment
and fortification, the largest in Florida, once housing 8,000 Confederate troops.
[More about Camp Milton Historic Preserve](https://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/campmilton).

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-41a.JPG)

Camp Milton Historic Preserve

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-41.JPG)

Camp Milton Historic Preserve, access point

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-42.JPG)

Civil War bridge re-construction

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-43.JPG)

Old homestead

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-44.JPG)

Confederate earthworks

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-45.JPG)

Parking area off Halsema Rd.

### Western Section - Halsema Trailhead to Baldwin and Trail End

#### Halsema Trailhead to Baldwin Trailhead (7 Miles)

The narrow, tree-lined corridor continues virtually uninterrupted
for about 6 miles - with only one real road crossing (Otis Road), this
is the type of **serene riding** we love. At mile marker 12, the trail enters an open residential area and goes under US 301, before arriving
at the **Baldwin Trailhead**. The old Baldwin **train**
**depot** serves as a Visitor Center with restrooms and parking,
though the office was closed when we visited. The community park here has
picnic facilities, a fitness path, playground, and a **railroad caboose exhibit**.

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-21.JPG)

Leaving Halsema Trailhead

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-23.JPG)

Crossing at Otis Road, the only real road along this section

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-24.JPG)

Equestrian trail

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-25.JPG)

One of very few curves

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-26.JPG)

Mile marker 12 - entering residential area

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-27.JPG)

Under US 301

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-28.JPG)

Approaching the trailhead

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-29.JPG)

Baldwin Trailhead, the old train depot

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-30.JPG)

Baldwin Trailhead, parking

* * *

#### Baldwin Trailhead to Brandy Branch Trailhead (2 Miles)

The last 2 miles of the trail to Brandy Branch Road is a little more open but still
mostly shady. The **Brandy Branch trailhead** has parking and
a port-a-potty.

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-31.JPG)

Leaving Baldwin trailhead

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-32.JPG)

Along the trail

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-33.JPG)

Bench and forest road crossing

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-34.JPG)

Trailhead at Brandy Branch

![Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail](images/jacksonville-baldwin-trail/jacksonville-baldwin-35.JPG)

End of trail at Brandy Branch Rd.

### More Information and Resources

### Nearby Bike Trails:

[Black Creek Trail (north)](trails/black-creek-nofl.htm)

[Timucuan Trail](trails/timucuan-trail.htm)

[Amelia Island Trail](trails/amelia-island-trail.htm)

[North FL Region](bike-north-florida.htm) \- see Regional overview map for trails near you

### Related Resources:

[City of Jacksonville - Jacksonville-Baldwin \
Rail -Trail](https://www.coj.net/departments/recreation-and-community-services/recreation-and-community-programming/parks/jacksonville-baldwin-rail-trail.aspx) [City of Jacksonville - Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail brochure & map](https://www.coj.net/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation-and-community-programming/docs/preservation/preservation-project/railtrail_brochure_nov2010.aspx) (.pdf)

[Timucuan Parks Foundation - Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail](https://www.timucuanparks.org/parks/jacksonville-baldwin-rail-trail/)

**Find Trails** [by FL Region](trails.htm) **or** [Listed A - Z](find-a-z.htm)

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