Pine Beach Trail

When you park in the shady dirt parking area, you'll see a gate across a two-rut road heading off in the direction of the beach. This section is not that pretty or special, and you may encounter biting flies. Keep going, and you'll get to a junction with the Centennial Trail and a no-flush restroom. Go a little further and now you can see the observation deck on Gator Lake. After this point, the trail is the narrow levee separating the fresh and brackish water. You'll pass the junction with the Gator Lake Trail and then you're in the back dunes. Just past a resting bench, the trail becomes singletrack through the dunes. This is the best part; you can't even see the beach yet because the dunes are so tall. You'll pass the old foundations of some long lost homes, and then you'll crest the dune and see what looks like miles of empty beach. Many days you'll have it all to yourself.This trail is flat, but because of the heat, bugs, and hiking through the sand, it really is somewhat intermediate. If you are hearty, though, you'll get the chance to see what the beach looked like in its original state.