Pine Log State Forest is located near Ebro, Florida
in northwestern Bay and southwestern Washington Counties.
The forest is 14 miles north of Panama City Beach, on
State Road 79. Access to Pine Log State Forest is available
on Highway 79 or on open forest roads. Travel is allowed
throughout the forest on open forest roads. Please refrain
from blocking any closed roads or fire breaks.
Timber management practices are important in the restoration and maintenance of forest ecosystems and provide a variety of socioeconomic benefits to Floridians.
The revenue generated from timber sales on Pine Log State Forest has totaled over $1 million during the last 20 years. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, returns 15 percent of the revenue obtained from timber harvests, recreation, and other income-producing services to Bay and Washington counties.
There are various natural communities found on the
forest. They include sandhills, flatwoods, cypress
ponds and titi swamps. Pine Log State Forest has 3
named streams (Pine Log Creek, Little Crooked Creek
and Ditch Branch) as well as several small lakes and
ponds.
Recreation
Pine Log State Forest offers many recreational opportunities
for the outdoor enthusiast, including camping, wildlife viewing, picnicking,
hiking, bicycling, swimming, fishing and hunting.
A campground
with twenty campsites can be found at the Pine Log
State Forest Recreation Area. All sites are fully
equipped with electric and water hook-ups. Restrooms
with showers and a sanitary dumping station are located
on site. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days
during any 30 day period. A senior citizens (65 and
over) and disabled persons discount is available.
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Pine Log State
Forest contains 3 hiking trails that are included
in the Florida Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Hiking Program . |
All campsites are available on a first-come first-serve
basis. NO RESERVATIONS ARE ACCEPTED. Fees are due
after site selection. The self-service pay station
is located at the campground entrance. A group
camping area is available for youth groups on a first-come,
first-serve basis.
Three (3) primitive campsites are available on a
first come-first serve basis. Camping is limited to
a maximum of 5 people per site. Primitive campers
are not entitled to use of restrooms or shower facilities.
Use the self-service pay station located at the campground
entrance. Mark your envelope with the appropriate
primitive site number. Your envelope stub must be
displayed in your vehicle window.
Hiking Trails
Over 13 miles of hiking trails have been developed
on Pine Log State Forest. These trails include a segment
of the Florida National Scenic Trail which covers approximately 8 miles. The Dutch Tieman
Trail and the Campground Loop begin and end in the recreation area.
The Florida National Scenic Trail enters the forest
in the northwest corner and leads into the campground
area. It then crosses S. R. 79 at Pine Log Creek and
continues through the forest and exits to the east.
This trail continues on private land eastward to S.
R. 77. The Florida National Scenic Trail is blazed
in orange rectangles and covers approximately 8 miles
through Pine Log State Forest. Only foot traffic is
allowed on the Florida National Scenic Trail System.
The Dutch Tieman Trail covers approximately 4 miles
and is marked with blue blazes. This trail is named
for Mr. Edgar "Dutch" Tieman, the forest's
first park ranger. This multi-use trail is open to
hikers and off-road bicycles. Bicyclists are asked
to please use caution when approaching hikers.
The Campground Loop Trail covers 2 miles and
is marked in red blazes. This trail loops from the
campground around a cypress pond. Only foot traffic
only is allowed on the Campground Loop Trail.
The Crooked Creek Trail is a multi-use 9 mile loop
trail that has been established on the east side of
Highway 79. Parking is located on Highway 79, 1 mile
south of the recreation area. This trail was developed
for off-road bicycle use, however, foot traffic is
welcome.
Horse Trails
The Old Sawmill trail was developed as a horse
trail. The 12.5-mile loop trail follows existing
open roads, closed roads and old firebreaks. The
trail weaves through the southeast portion of the
Pine Log State Forest.
The Old Sawmill trailhead and parking area is located
in Pine Log State Forest on Highway 79 approximately
10 mile north of Panama City Beach, Florida. There
is a $1.00 per person charge to enter the trail. Children
under 6 years old are admitted free. A self-service
pay station is located on the entrance road to the
trailhead.
Yellow bands found on trees along the trail designate
the trail. Where the trail crosses roads or makes
major course changes yellow arrows point the direction
the trail goes. Mile markers are located along the
trail and are shown on the map. This trail crosses
the Crooked Creek Mountain Bicycle Trail in several
places; because of the extremely soft soil conditions
that exist in the Pine Log State Forest separate trails
have been developed for horse and mountain biking,
please keep your horses off this trail. The Crooked
Creek trail is mark with red or blue blazes and arrows. Specific trail rules are posted on the informational
kiosk at the trailhead.
Other Activities
The picnic area and pavilion can be found adjacent
to the camping area. This area is open daily from
sunrise to sunset. A number of picnic tables and grills
are available for use. The pavilion is available for
use by reservation only and has a fee. To make a reservation
contact us at the number listed below.
Swimming is permitted only in East Lake in the recreation area. No lifeguards
are on duty so visitors swim at their own risk. Children
must be accompanied by an adult. No pets are allowed
in the lakes. Please watch carefully for alligators
and other wildlife that may be present in the area.
