Venturing along the industrialized highway leading to Big Talbot Island will have one wondering how there could be any hope for a natural experience on the outskirts of Jacksonville. However, just 14 miles from the busy interstate, Big Talbot Island has plenty of hiking and biking trails, fishing holes, camping spots and areas for water sports.

The quarter of a mile Blackrock Trail takes visitors through the woods, thick with palm fronds and oaks, to an incredible beach decorated with huge, twisting drift wood. The giant trees lying lifeless on the beach with roots stretched up towards the sky make for an eerily picturesque atmosphere. It almost feels as though you're wandering through a boneyard. The driftwood offers a natural playground for climbing and balancing.

There is a fairly small, steep drop off that you climb down (or slide down the sand) to reach the beach, but if you can walk out to it, I have confidence you can make your way down.

Be aware of the tide, though, because this can prevent you from being able to explore as far as you might like. The state park has the tide schedule posted at the entrance of Little Talbot Island, which is just three miles from the parking area for Blackrock Trail.

During the winter and fall, this is a secluded and beautiful place to walk and fish. Sea sports, such as kayaking, swimming and kite-boarding can also be exciting things to do on Big Talbot Island in the summer and spring.