Follow CR 12 south from SR 20 in Bristol to discover the Apalachee Savannas Scenic Byway, a winding stretch of road through expansive wet flatwoods and open pine savannas between the northern edge of the Apalachicola National Forest near Camel Lake down to SR 65 in Sumatra.
Resources
Overview
Location: Bristol to Sumatra
Distance: 32 miles
Location
South of Bristol off CR 12.
Details
From your car, you’ll see the expanses of grasslands and their colorful wildflowers. In April, the pitcher plants put on quite a show with their rubbery red and yellow blooms, but the summer wildflowers are spectacular here as well.
If you want to explore the surrounding habitats on foot – which is the best way to see its wildflower bounty – there are no marked pulloffs or trails. It’s up to you to spot a pretty place and take the time to wander into it. Carnivorous plants dominate the bogs, with butterwort, bladderwort, sundews, and pitcher plants sharing the bounty of insects.
The highway is all within the Apalachicola National Forest, so you are welcome to pull off on the shoulder of the road or drive down any of the forest roads and find a place to park. Keep in mind that there are many boggy habitats here, so make sure you park on firm ground.
Explore this drive
Summer in the Savannas - Summer is prime time for delicate orchids and carnivorous plants among the bogs of the Apalachicola National Forest, especially along the Apalachee Savannas Scenic Byway.