The Outdoor Gulf Coast Explorer Passport

12301 Gulf Beach Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32507

Big Lagoon State Park is the perfect place to begin your Outdoor Gulf Coast Explorer Passport. Walk or ride along scenic trails, climb the birding tower for views across Big Lagoon and surrounding wetlands, enjoy a picnic, or launch a kayak and explore the calm water. Whether you’re here for a quick stop or a longer outing, this park offers plenty of ways to get outside and start exploring.

2401 Bauer Rd, Pensacola, FL 32506

Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park offers a quieter outdoor experience with hiking trails, a picnic area, and a small pier overlooking Tarkiln Bayou. A half-mile ADA-accessible boardwalk leads through wetlands to the water’s edge, making it an easy place to explore at your own pace. The preserve is also home to rare plant species, including several endangered pitcher plants, adding another reason to slow down and look around.

15301 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507

Perdido Key State Park is situated on Perdido Key, a barrier island in Northwest Florida. Walk the sandy paths along the Old River trail, take in sweeping views of the dunes and shoreline, and relax on the beach to slow down and enjoy the soothing sounds of waves along the shore.

University of West Florida Pensacola, FL 32514

The Edward Ball Nature Trail provides a tranquil walk through a wetland environment on the University of West Florida campus. This easy loop winds along a raised boardwalk through Thompson’s Bayou, a hardwood swamp connected to the Escambia River system. Watch for songbirds and waterfowl as you stroll among the trees, making this an ideal place to slow down and experience nature up close.

Pate St., Pensacola, FL

The UWF Mountain Bike Trails feature wooded singletrack with plenty of variety to keep your ride engaging. Two interconnected loops weave through the forest, providing ample mileage to explore, with gentle hills, root-laced sections, and occasional sandy patches. Most trails are easy to intermediate, but some sections of the Blue Loop offer a greater challenge. You’ll share the trail with hikers, runners, and equestrians, making this one of the best places to ride near town.

Gulf Breeze, FL

Deadman’s Island is one of the most challenging stops on the Outdoor Gulf Coast Explorer Passport and can only be accessed by boat. Paddle a kayak or paddleboard out to this small island to discover a side of the coast inaccessible by foot. Along your journey and around the island, you may encounter coastal birds, crabs, fish, and even dolphins. Just offshore, man-made oyster reefs attract marine life and offer a great opportunity to snorkel and explore beneath the surface. This stop rewards your effort and curiosity with the thrill of venturing farther off the beaten path.

601 W Main St, Pensacola, FL 32502

Bruce Beach is a waterfront city park in downtown Pensacola that offers easy access to the bay and plenty of ways to spend time outdoors. Walk the paths through wetlands, relax in the picnic areas, or enjoy views across Pensacola Bay from the shoreline. The park also features a kayak and paddleboard launch, making it a convenient place to get on the water. Whether you’re paddling, walking, or just taking in the view, Bruce Beach is an excellent stop along the trail.

Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze is a great place for an easy, family-friendly walk through forest and wetlands. The Shoreline Loop Trail follows a paved path through hardwood trees like oaks and magnolias, with shorter offshoot trails branching off along the way. At the south end of the park, the wetlands boardwalk offers an up-close look at a natural wetland from an elevated path. It’s an accessible, low-key stop that’s perfect for slowing down and exploring at your own pace.

The Brackenridge Nature Trail is a short boardwalk loop tucked inside Naval Live Oaks Park. This easy walk follows a raised path through coastal woodland, with interpretive signs that highlight the area's support for birds, reptiles, and other wildlife. It’s a quick but worthwhile stop that invites you to slow down, look closely, and appreciate the natural systems at work around you.

5709 Mill Pond Ln, Milton, FL 32583

Arcadia Mill blends local history with a walk through a wetland setting just east of Pensacola in Milton. Explore the hiking trails and elevated boardwalk, then stop by the visitor center and museum to learn about the area’s early industry. Along the way, you’ll see the remains of a historic sawmill and dam, making this an easy stop that connects outdoor exploration with the stories that shaped the region.

Fort Pickens

This section of the Florida National Scenic Trail at Fort Pickens offers a leisurely walk through a unique coastal landscape. The short trail connecting Battery Worth and Fort Pickens winds through low dunes and coastal vegetation, with stretches that follow quiet water channels. Keep an eye out for turtles and other wildlife as you cross the bridge and move along the trail. It’s an excellent option for families looking for a relaxed hike with plenty to see along the way.

7024-7036 Magnolia St, Bagdad, FL 32530

Bagdad Mill Site Park sits along the Blackwater River and Pond Creek and offers a relaxed place to explore both nature and local history. Walk the park’s paths, enjoy views from the pier, or launch a kayak and paddle the calm water. The site is part of the Blackwater Maritime Heritage Trail and was once home to a working sawmill, adding historical context to your visit. With open space, water access, and river views, it’s an easy stop for a laid-back outdoor outing.

The kayak launch at Bagdad Mill Site Park offers easy access to the Blackwater River and Pond Creek. Launch from the park and paddle along calm water with wide river views and a quiet, natural feel. This spot is part of the Blackwater Maritime Heritage Trail, blending paddling with a sense of the area’s working waterfront history. It’s a relaxed launch that works well for a short outing or a longer explore upstream.

6715 Elva St, Milton, FL 32570

The Blackwater Heritage State Trail offers a smooth, family-friendly route through a quiet, rural setting in Milton. This paved trail is excellent for walking, biking, or rollerblading and follows a gentle path with small bridges, light elevation changes, and open views of the countryside. Along the way, you may pass streams, wildflowers, farm animals, and local wildlife, making it a relaxed option for a short ride or an easy escape outdoors.

Bear Lake Rd, Milton, FL 32570

Bear Lake Recreation Area is a great place to stretch your legs and spend time on the trail inside Blackwater River State Forest. A loop trail circles the lake, offering an easy, scenic hike with views of the water and surrounding forest. From here, longer routes like the Sweetwater Trail connect to nearby recreation areas, giving hikers the option to turn a short walk into a longer outing. With quiet paths and plenty of space to explore, Bear Lake is a solid stop for anyone looking to enjoy the forest at a relaxed pace.