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We rounded up some of the best places to bike across the country, from gravel rail trails to scenic byways to technical mountain singletrack.
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.
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# 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

Map overlay with Parking

Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail

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:

Support and Advocacy

Page Summary:

### 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

Imeson Trailhead, parking, restrooms

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Trail along power line leaving trailhead

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Road crossing at Commonwealth Ave.

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Rural residential

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

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

Into the canopy

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

A crossroad to nowhere

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Bridge under Pritchard Rd.

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Along the trail

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Camp Milton access, restrooms

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Approaching Halsema Rd.

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Entry from trail to Halsema Trailhead

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

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.

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Camp Milton Historic Preserve

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Camp Milton Historic Preserve, access point

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Civil War bridge re-construction

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Old homestead

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Confederate earthworks

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

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

Leaving Halsema Trailhead

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

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

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Equestrian trail

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

One of very few curves

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Mile marker 12 - entering residential area

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Under US 301

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Approaching the trailhead

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Baldwin Trailhead, the old train depot

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

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

Leaving Baldwin trailhead

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Along the trail

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Bench and forest road crossing

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

Trailhead at Brandy Branch

Jacksoville-Baldwin Rail Trail

End of trail at Brandy Branch Rd.

### More Information and Resources

### Nearby Bike Trails:

North FL Region - see Regional overview map for trails near you

### Related Resources:

Florida Bike Trails

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