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Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 A Vik Media Group publication
Emerald Coast Dispatch Destin, 30A and Panama City Beach news: Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa and Bay counties
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Outdoors/Checked Nov. 1, 2026

Eglin recreation permit: what it costs and who needs one

Anyone 16 or older on the Eglin Reservation needs an Eglin permit and photo ID: $5 a day or $30 a year for hiking, biking and other recreation ($10 for 65+, $1 for 100% disabled). Camping is $10 a night and sold only at the Jackson Guard office. Source: Eglin AFB Natural Resources, checked Nov 1, 2026.

Checked on Nov. 1, 2026 by our Outdoors Desk. The park's own page always wins. Hiking on Eglin? Check the Public Access Map for daily mission closures first. Eglin Public Access Map (PAM) and permits.

Is it hunting season today?

Deer seasons in Florida Zone D (Panhandle)

General gun deer season in Florida's Zone D runs Nov 26-29 (Thanksgiving weekend) and Dec 12, 2026 - Feb 21, 2027. Wear blaze orange or bright colors on Eglin and in state forests.

  • Oct. 24, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2026: Archery deer season (crossbow too) Bows in the woods
  • Nov. 1, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2026: General gun deer season Highest risk: guns in the woods
  • Nov. 1, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2026: Crossbow deer season Bows in the woods
  • Nov. 1, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2026: Muzzleloading gun deer season Highest risk: guns in the woods
  • Nov. 1, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2026: General gun deer season Highest risk: guns in the woods
  • Nov. 1, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2026: Muzzleloading gun deer season Highest risk: guns in the woods

Eglin sets its own hunt dates by management unit; check its FY27 hunting calendar and the Public Access Map. Hunting is not allowed in Florida state parks.

Dates for deer in Florida Zone D (Panhandle); other game has its own seasons. Source: FWC – Species season dates 2026-2027; Eglin AFB Natural Resources – Hunting seasons; Eglin AFB Natural Resources – Hiking the Eglin Reservation.

Eglin Reservation (Eglin Air Force Base)

  • Eglin Reservation (Eglin Air Force Base)

    Okaloosa / Walton / Santa Rosa Co., FL Niceville

    About 68 miles of Florida Trail and connector trail cross the reservation; foot traffic only. Florida Trail thru-hikers get a free permit from Jackson Guard.

    Permit
    Everyone 16 and older needs an Eglin permit and photo ID: $5 a day or $30 a year (65+: $10; 100% disabled: $1)
    Camping
    $10 per night camping permit (bought at the Jackson Guard office, not online)
    Reservation
    Permit required (eglin.isportsman.net). Check the Public Access Map (PAM) for daily mission closures before you go.
    Hunting
    Several management units along the trail are open to hunting; wear highly visible clothing in season.

    Source: Eglin AFB Natural Resources – Outdoor recreation permits; Eglin AFB Natural Resources – Hiking the Eglin Reservation

3 official trails, shortest first

Showing .

TrailMilesDifficultyUses
Cimarron section (SR 85 to Yellow River)
Eglin Reservation (Eglin Air Force Base) · Not officially Florida Trail; dead-ends at the river		 8.8 Not rated by the park hike
Florida Trail: West section (SR 87 to East Bay)
Eglin Reservation (Eglin Air Force Base) · Eglin permit; west of SR 87 is exempt from PAM closures		 14.3 Not rated by the park hike
Florida Trail: East/North section (US 331 to SR 85)
Eglin Reservation (Eglin Air Force Base) · Eglin permit; check PAM closures; camps along the way		 45.2 Not rated by the park hike

Lengths and difficulty as each park lists them; some loops share sections. Sources: Florida State Parks and Eglin AFB Natural Resources trail pages (listed below). Download: outdoors.csv (official data only; free to reuse with credit to Emerald Coast Dispatch).

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What readers send is checked by our editors and published as "Reader reports", apart from the official information. We never publish your email.

Sources

Fees, hours and closures change; the park's page always wins. Data for AI and developers: llms.txt and outdoors.csv.