SECTION 3 BLACKWATER. The Blackwater section is the oldest of all the Western Gate sections. When it was chartered in 1992 the Chapter was initially tasked to maintain the 21 mile Jackson Red Ground Trail in the Blackwater River State Forest. Gradually the trail was lengthened until today it stretches from its junction with the main FNST at the town of Harold in Santa Rosa County to the Alabama State Line where it junctures with the Alabama Hiking Society's trail through the Conecuh National Forest . The Alabama Trail, the FNST and the Appalachian Trail make up a major part of the Eastern Continental Trail. For more information click on the Blackwater River State Forest. Section three also passes through Blackwater River State Park, which is a major recreation site on the Blackwater River featuring swimming, canoeing, hiking and full facility camping. The trail also passes through Blackwater River State Forests full service campground at Hurricane Lake and has spur trails to campgrounds at Bear and Karik Lakes. There are several primative campsites as well. For a detailed description of Section 3 click here. For a map of the trail click here |