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    Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail

    4.8 (30 reviews)

    Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail Photos

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    To infinity and beyond...
    Jay P.

    I've been here multiple times, but here is my initial review. Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail is basically old railroad tracks that has been paved, creating a very long, straight, stretch of paved road that reaches up to 15 miles one way (close to 30 miles combined).   This place makes it ideal for bike riding, walking, jogging, running, roller blading, skating, etc...or whatever you want to do.   There are Mile Markers per each mile you pass and once you reach the halfway point, there is an accessible restroom and benches for you to rest until you are ready to go again. It is always well kept. Great views and nice scenery along the way.   I come here particularly for the biking aspect. What a great way to churn out 30 miles of cardio and exercise, while enjoying the nice view along the way. I have found that most road bikers tend to favor this place due to its simplicity and how safe it is (because you are not riding on the side of the road). It is not the mountain bike trails that I would prefer, but it is a perfect Option B for me.   I do want to warn you that through a part of your ride, you will pass a pig farm from afar, and the scent will be a bit shietty and unpleasant. So prep yourself and think & smell happy thoughts as you pass through this. Also note...along the way you will cross actual roads, so be sure to always practice safety and look both ways before crossing.

    A nice long ride 14 mile ride. Love this trail.
    Nelma P.

    I've been coming to this trail weekly for six months. It began with my friend dragging me to the trail for a short ride. Once I learned that you can burn 400+ calories in a 1.5 hr ride i was convinced that this would be my weekly workout. The trail is great for lazy old me, mostly flat. You can see some wildlife such as wild turkey, birds & turtles. During the summer there were some beautiful Black-eyed Susans bright orange flowers & some purple flowers. Nature at its best. There are some nice spots for a picnic with tables at the 6 mile & 8 mile points heading west. The busiest time is Saturday morning till about noon. I've been riding for 6 months averaging about 16 to 18 miles each time. I've been going every Saturday until I had a bad fall. Alas I've had to stop for a month. I think I'll be back on a Saturday, hope it does not rain. If you like to ride the bike or walk, this is one of the best things about North Florida. With the pandemic this is one way to not feel so cooped up. Get out there, ride or walk at the trail. People are super friendly, You can experience nature at its best while burning calories & its free.

    Tatty C.

    This is a really fun trail. If you are not a great cycler (14-18 miles per hour) bring snacks. There is a picnic area around mile 5. I go to the 15 miles mark and break for 20 minutes before riding back to the start. I've gone before as a single female rider and haven't had any issues. Please go before sunset because there are many people out there riding and running. I had phone service the whole time so I wasn't worried. Also there are plenty of veteran cyclists that will stop and help you if you run into a flat.

    Great trail for kids!
    Jacksonville Beach Mom S.

    Amazing trail and perfect for kids and the whole family. It's 14.5 miles long but you can go 1/2 way and stop in the middle for bathrooms and a picnic. Flat, shaded, and easy to navigate, this is a must do in Jacksonville.

    Mile marker near Halsema Trailhead (west)
    Bobby B.

    I must thank John R (friend, teacher & all-around great person) for introducing me to this wonderful Jacksonville gem that I didn't know existed and for having the patience to stay at my pace on the times we've walk/run together. Now that I have walk/run/bike on this trail and have gone end to end, it's a very nice, well-maintained trail and it's paved all the way though. The east end is the Imeson Trailhead (30.345407° -81.772870°), there's a paved parking lot w/ restroom facility. This trailhead seems to be the busiest and can get crowded. Mile Markers go up from there. Just after MM1, trail crosses Bulls Bay Hwy and there's a very slight elevation change (down) from the road to about midway to MM2 and goes back up. There are a few spans throughout the trail that has a slight elevation change but not really noticeable unless you're on a bike, imo. Just after MM2, trail crosses Jones Road and about 0.20 mile before MM3, the powerline makes a 90-degree turn to the right and tree cover starts on the trail but does not get totally shaded. Once you cross a gravel road (Hannah Rd) between MM3 & MM4, that's where the trail gets really shaded and nice :). Between MM4 & MM5, trail goes under Pritchard road and about 0.15 mile before Halsema Road is the Camp Milton rest area, there's a faucet, restroom facility and picnic tables. On the other side of Halsema Road is the Halsema Trailhead (30.337500° -81.869663°). There's a dirt/gravel parking lot, portable toilet, picnic area and bike repair area. The trail crosses Otis Road just before MM8 and in between MM10 & MM11, there is a pig farm south (left side) of the trail and depending on which way the wind/breeze is blowing, there may be a very unpleasant smell that can start from MM9 to MM12. At MM11, trail crosses JEA Brandy Branch property and ends the shaded part of the trail, although there are sporadic shaded areas remaining. After MM12, trail crosses Palmetto Ave then goes under US 301 then crosses a railroad crossing before entering the Baldwin Trailhead facility. Baldwin Trailhead (30.310229° -81.972572°) is similar to the Imeson Trailhead but adds a bike/skate park and bike repair area. The Baldwin Permanent Locomotive Exhibit is accessible here. Trail crosses an overpass construction area in between MM13 & MM14. West end of the trail is the Brandy Branch Trailhead, approximately 0.50 mile after MM14. Brandy Branch Trailhead (30.306482° -82.008222°) has a paved parking lot & portable toilet. Some days, horses from the nearby farm comes here and they're friendly enough to take pics with.

    Jax Baldwin Rail Trail
    Tom P.

    Restaurants in Baldwin, Florida. Most favorite and best kept secret on Jacksonville's Westside (Best-side) for outdoor bicycling, roller blading, jogging, running, hiking, (no cars allowed) picnicking with Camp Milton Civil War site. Free parking at both ends and in between along a round trip trail of 29 + or - miles. The old rail trail stretches from Imeson Road, Jacksonville end, all the way to west of Baldwin, Florida. Security cameras in parking areas and patrolled frequently by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Restrooms are available with water fountains. A majority of the trail is covered with shade trees and at times you can see deer, wild turkeys, cows, turtles, snakes, rabbits, etc.

    Meanole M.

    Just finished an amazing ride on this 29 mile path in the hinterlands of far, far west Jax. What a gem!!! Beautiful smoothly paved bike trails, winding through forest and wetlands. First time here and can't wait to go back. Two trailheads for parking. Bike pumps. Restrooms. Well maintained paths. No elevation for an inexperienced bicyclist like myself was a blessing. Uncrowded and serene. What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

    "We encountered 2 free roaming bulls on the trail. Fortunately they had no interest in us!" Photography by tinathim
    Jo El S.

    Play "Animal Scavenger Hunt" as you breeze under the shaded Florida canopies! We had an awesome Bike Ride yesterday at the Baldwin/Jacksonville Trail. It's another local "Rails to Trails" (A railroad track that's been paved over and converted to a bicycle/horse/walking trail.) The entire trail is 14.5 miles journeying through the swamp, forests, wetlands, grassy plains, rural homes, small farms etc. The constant shift in scenery is stimulating and it's even more fun to count how much wildlife you saw! I joked that it was like playing Animal Bingo! The coolest thing I saw was an adorable baby armadillo sniffing around the grass about a foot from the trail. I was also amused seeing two cows bathing in a deep pond in the shady forest. It looked a little ominous with the dramatic lighting and reminded me of The Walking Dead. (Thankfully, no zombies were present.) I was surprised with how BUSY it was Sunday morning! There was spandex, helmets, and bikes with skinny tires galore in the parking lot. However, once you were on a trail you had a leisurely private ride all to yourself with numerous "Good Mornings" to other cyclists as they passed. When reading the reviews on the http://www.traillink.com site it warned against car breakins, but it seemed like there was a constant watchful crowd by the parking lot so I wasn't worried. Because of the Florida summer heat, and because we were wussy, we did not finish the entire trail. We stopped midway by Camp Milton. Camp Milton Historical Preserve is the site of an important battle of the Civil War, but to be honest with you there wasn't much to see. At that halfway point there is also clean bathrooms, water fountains, and two picnic tables. We rode on the little trail off by the bathrooms to explore Camp Milton. Just meandering around Camp Milton wasn't terribly interesting but it was something new to explore and it was free. I can't wait to go back and ride along the other half of the trail towards Baldwin and see what other animals we find and reward ourselves with some Dreamette icecream upon completion!

    Map of the trail
    Terri S.

    Looking for a great safe activity with exercise involved...look no further! Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail is the perfect place for fun! With amazingly paved old railroad tracks, you can bike, run, walk, skate, take your dog out, be one with nature. I have ran and biked here many times, as you have a great paved, no motor vehicles, 15 mile one way path! I brought my dog out here this weekend, trying to get a long walk in....he LOVED it! There is a restroom about 7-8 miles in, plenty of benches along the trail, and plenty of trash cans for you to deposit your rubbish. This is a well marked pathway, marking each .5 miles and marker posts at every mile. There is so much green, that you almost forget that you are still in the city....YAY! It's great when you see a family of deer crossing the path, and squirrels running up and down trees. The quiet is worth the drive out here and the environment will make you want to come back again and again! ***The path does cross a couple Jacksonville roads, so proceed with caution and have fun!

    Shade is a priceless thing during summer marathon training.

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    Ask the Community - Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail

    Smooth enough for skating?

    Roller skates / Rollerblades - YES

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    Review Highlights - Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail

    The old rail trail stretches from Imeson Road, Jacksonville end, all the way to west of Baldwin, Florida.

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    Alejandro Garces Camp Tomahawk Park

    Alejandro Garces Camp Tomahawk Park

    4.8(9 reviews)
    12.8 miSouthside

    I had an unusual experience here only the second time I have been I am new to the area. I brought…read moremy kids to the playground and a strange woman struck up a conversation and would not leave us alone asking me all sorts of questions and often repeating herself. She continued on by playing with my children but did not have a child with her. A boyfriend was standing and waiting outside of the vehicle just smoking cigarettes. It gave me an uneasy feeling that either she was on drugs or they were involved in trafficking. I have since not gone back. It is a nice park otherwise and it's unfortunate some people have to ruin a good thing. I would just be mindful when you come here with your kids.

    Alejandro Garces Camp Tomahawk Park is a small but very cool park located at the end of a quiet…read moreside street on the southside of Jacksonville, Florida. It has a small but pleasant nature walk, a kayak launch, a children's playground, an open field, adequate parking, and more. There is a private residence on the grounds, so please be mindful of that. All in all, Alejandro Garces Camp Tomahawk Park is a wonderful park and a great place in particular for the residents of this quiet side street. We need parks like this in our communities. This is a wonderful place to come in respite. I would definitely recommend a visit here, especially if you are in the neighborhood or anywhere in the general area. I will give it five stars as an overall rating. Go check it out for yourself, I am confident that you will not be disappointed.

    Photos
    Alejandro Garces Camp Tomahawk Park
    Alejandro Garces Camp Tomahawk Park - My two Maltese puppies, Bella on the left and Fluffy. Sisters from the same litter.

    My two Maltese puppies, Bella on the left and Fluffy. Sisters from the same litter.

    Alejandro Garces Camp Tomahawk Park

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    Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail - hiking - Updated June 2026

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