Perdido Key Discovery Trail Map (click to enlarge)
Length: .5-mile loop
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
The Perdido Key Discovery Trail is a short nature trail located at the end of a road directly opposite of the picnic pavilion at Johnson Beach. The trail has its own parking lot. This is also the location of the Johnson Beach Boat Ramp, which provides canoeists and kayakers direct access to Big Lagoon.
A wayside exhibit at the start of the trail claims that the length is .4 mile, but this only counts the actual boardwalk trail, which is U-shaped. Trailheads are located at two points along the road, one at the far end near the boat ramp and the other near the turn off from the main road. The stated distance does not account for the fact that you must walk back to your car along road, another .1 mile, making the total distance of the hike about .5 mile.
The nature trail follows the boardwalk for its entire length, taking visitors on a leisurely stroll through a variety of ecosystems all within a small area. The trail starts off through what is called a wetland forest populated with pine trees and other shrubs before coming to the sea grass of the salt marsh. Along the way you might see woodpeckers, snakes, raccoon, and shore birds. There is an overlook at the salt marsh area.
The boardwalk is on even terrain and is wheelchair accessible.
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Last updated on March 11, 2025
