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Welaka State Forest Mud Spring Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 129 Google reviews · Running trail in Crescent City, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Welaka State Forest Mud Spring Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Hiking trails lead to a natural spring with a dock and swimming, plus picnic areas.
What runners say about Welaka State Forest Mud Spring Trail
“The trails are really well kept, we got cut short because of rain, but will definitely be back.”
“It’s always a beautiful experience at Mud Spring, a great swimming hole off the beaten path”
“Easy hike to the spring but it better to kayak to it.”
An amazing locals swimming springs. Easy hike to the spring but it better to kayak to it. You see so much on the water the hikers don’t see. Lots of wildlife and usually empty on the weekdays. Bathrooms at the springs, picnic tables and a staircase leading you into cold waters.
Beautiful trail with a nice surprise at the end. When your finished walking the trail through the forest , take a cool dip in the crystal clear spring at the end. Bathrooms , picnic tables , pavilion nice way to make it a day there.
This is a safe, shaded, trail that is not too long and ends in the nest spring!
I really enjoyed this trail... coming out of the woods to see this Beautiful Spring is a Breathtaking Sight! It's a well maintained trail that's Perfect to Get Lost in the Beauty of Old Florida!
Trail conditions & character
“It’s always a beautiful experience at Mud Spring, a great swimming hole off the beaten path”
“There is a picnic shelter with benches and a bathroom by the spring as well as benches around the spring for extra seating.”
“There are steps to enter on one side but that is one of the deepest parts with a huge boulder under water so we went in on the other side where it’s muddy.”
“I have a hard time with arthritis and I was concerned about the hike, but boy was I relieved when the whole trail was very level and neatly accessible throughout.”
“I have a hard time with arthritis and I was concerned about the hike, but boy was I relieved when the whole trail was very level and neatly accessible throughout.”
Plan your run at Welaka State Forest Mud Spring Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Phone(386) 292-2478
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–8 PM |
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