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Apalachicola National Forest

Noted for its botanical beauty, the Apalachicola National Forest is the largest National Forest in Florida, sweeping south and west of Tallahassee

Tallahassee      ( 30.177157, -84.678564 )      

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Porter Lake, Apalachicola National Forest

Exploring Apalachicola National Forest

Protecting more than 571,000 acres of vast interior swamps, pine flatwoods, and a portion of the Woodville Karst Plain, the Apalachicola National Forest is a massive place, and a soggy place. Tributaries born in swampy bays and bogs drain towards the Sopchoppy, Ochlockonee, and Apalachicola Rivers.

This is a wild place, a major destination for anglers and hunters, with many landings and hunt camps used during spring and fall hunting seasons. While a handful of very scenic paved roads cross the forest, most roads here are dirt, heavily rutted and often full of deep mud holes.

A handful of recreation areas hug natural lakes and river shorelines. Campers are welcome at Camel Lake Recreation Area, Wright Lake Recreation Area, and Porter Lake Recreation Area. However, check ahead to see if the recreation area you plan to visit is open. Hurricane Michael did a great deal of damage to the forest in October 2018 and some sites, especially hunt camps and landings, remain closed.

Land Manager: USDA Forest Service
Phone: 850-523-8500
Fees: Day use ($3 per vehicle) and camping fees are charged at most of the popular recreation areas, including Silver Lake, Camel Lake, Porter Lake, Wright Lake, and Leon Sinks. An annual vehicle pass costs $40. Your National Parks / National Federal Lands Pass is honored at all of these locations for day use fees.

Ranger Stations:
Apalachicola Ranger District, 11152 NW SR 20, Bristol. Phone: 850-643-2282
Wakulla Ranger District, 57 Taff Drive, Crawfordville. Phone: 850-926-3561
Both ranger stations are typically open Mon-Fri 8-4

Resources

Explorers Guide North Florida and Panhandle Exploring Florida's Botanical Wonders Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State The Hiking Trails of Florida's National Forests, Parks & Preserves

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us continue to provide public information on this website.

Featured Destinations

Porter Lake, Apalachicola National Forest

Florida Trail, Apalachicola

Florida Trail, Apalachicola
Florida Trail, Sopchoppy

Florida Trail, Sopchoppy

Florida Trail, Sopchoppy
Florida Trail, Sopchoppy River

Florida Trail, Sopchoppy River

Florida Trail, Sopchoppy River
Bradwell Bay (Mary McKinley)

Florida Trail, Bradwell Bay

Florida Trail, Bradwell Bay
Florida Trail Bristol Roadwalk

Florida Trail, Bristol Roadwalk

Florida Trail, Bristol Roadwalk
Tupelo swamp Florida Trail

Florida Trail, Camel Lake to Savannahs

Florida Trail, Camel Lake to Savannahs
Florida Trail Jewel to Vilas

Florida Trail, Jewel to Vilas

Florida Trail, Jewel to Vilas
Florida Trail at Cox Branch

Florida Trail, Porter Lake to Jewel

Florida Trail, Porter Lake to Jewel
Ochlockonee River near Porter Lake

Florida Trail, Bradwell West to Porter Lake

Florida Trail, Bradwell West to Porter Lake
Bonnet Pond

Florida Trail, Vilas to Camel Lake

Florida Trail, Vilas to Camel Lake
Silver Lake

Silver Lake Trail

Silver Lake Trail

Apalachee Savannas Scenic Byway

Apalachee Savannas Scenic Byway

ALL Destinations

Apalachicola pitcher plants

Botanical Highlights

Home to the fabled Bradwell Bay Wilderness, a stand of virgin cypress and white pine, the Apalachicola National Forest is also one of the best places in the eastern Panhandle to see pitcher plants and other carnivorous plants in its bogs.

The top areas for viewing pitcher plant blooms in March and April are along the western edge of the forest near Sumatra and the Apalachee Savannas. Here are some of our photos from that area.

Articles

Ocean Pond Olustee

National Forests in Florida Implement New Fees

July 24, 2019//  by Sandra Friend

Effective July 26, 2019, fees go up at many National Forest campgrounds, boat ramps, and recreation areas

Hunting dogs

Safety During Deer Hunting Season

November 8, 2018//  by Sandra Friend

During hiking seasons in Florida, you are often sharing the trails with hunters. General gun season – deer hunting – is the main hunting season for hikers to be concerned about.

Bear bags hanging at sunset on the AT in Georgia

Do Not Feed the Bears

February 27, 2018//  by John Keatley

Bear bagging is the art of hanging your food properly out of reach of bears. If you’re a Florida backpacker and haven’t learned how, here’s a short course. Securing your food from bears is required in the Ocala, Osceola, and Apalachicola National Forests.

ALL Articles

Explore More

Even if you never leave your car to explore the trails, a trip through the Apalachicola National Forest will convince you that it is worth visiting time and again. The scenic drives alone – especially along SR 65, SR 67, and the Big Bend Scenic Byway – mean immersion into longleaf pine forests and places of botanical beauty.

More daring drivers try out the many clay and sand backroads that lead to places like Post Office Bay and Monkey Creek, while those of us who’d rather walk in the woods find that its challenging hiking trails have their payoffs, including one of Florida’s most remote sections of the statewide Florida Trail.

Florida Trail, Apalachicola

With more than 80 miles of backpacking across the Apalachicola National Forest, this Florida Trail segment is one of the wettest and wildest in the state.

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Hike Planning Information



Download forest map (PDF) Official Website

NEARBY: Apalachicola, Apalachicola River, Bristol , Crawfordville , Sopchoppy, Tallahassee | PART OF: Northwest Florida

Category: Backpacking, Biking, Camping, Destinations, Equestrian, Launch Points, National Forests, Northwest Florida, Off Road Biking, PaddlingTag: Apalachicola River, Big Bend Scenic Byway, Blountstown, Bristol, Car Camping, Carrabelle, Crawfordville, Eastpoint, Locations, National Forests, Ochlockonee River, Primitive Camping, Sopchoppy, Sopchoppy River, St. Marks, Tallahassee

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