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Nature Center Trails kiosk Apalachicola NERR

Apalachicola NERR Nature Center

A delightful destination for learning about Apalachicola Bay, the headquarters of Apalachicola NERR boasts a nature center and more than a half mile of gentle interpretive trails

Apalachicola NERR  |  Eastpoint
( 29.7301, -84.8866 )      0.8 miles

Interpretive boardwalks meander around the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Nature Center, showcasing coastal habitats along St. George Sound.

The Nature Center itself is a regional gem for all ages, providing an in-depth look at the marine life, heritage, and culture surrounding the ever-changing shores and islands of Apalachicola Bay.

Apalachicola Reserve Accessible trail at the Nature Center


Resources

North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover

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


Overview

Location: Eastpoint
Length: 0.8 mile loop and spur
Trailhead: 29.7301, -84.8866
Address: 108 Island Drive, Eastpoint FL
Fees: Free
Restroom: At the nature center
Land manager: Apalachicola NERR
Phone: 850-670-7700

Trails open daily 9 AM to 4 PM. Nature Center open Tue-Sat 9 AM to 4 PM.

Leashed dogs permitted on trails but not in the Nature Center.


Directions

 
Approaching Eastpoint from either Carrabelle or Apalachicola along US 98, keep alert for the intersection with Island Drive, which leads to the bridge to St. George Island. The entrance to the Apalachicola NERR parking area is on the left just after you pass Patton Drive and before you reach the bridge.

Hike

The trailhead beckons from the parking area, and it’s the only way to get to the Nature Center. So why not explore along the way?

Accessible for the most part, this series of sidewalks and boardwalks is well marked as it traverses a variety of coastal habitats.

Apalachicola Reserve Trailhead kiosk


Start by following the main trail from the parking lot kiosk up to a trail junction under the pines.

Turn left on the Nature Walk. Pick up a plant guide from the box. As you walk, you’ll note inspirational quotes on signs at overlooks.

Apalachicola Reserve One of the many quotations along the walk


The boardwalk first leads along the edge of a marsh with views for birding before it reaches a junction under the pines. Keep left. At the next junction, keep left again.

Traversing a denser portion of the pines – where a thicket of Southern magnolia is a highlight – the trail loops back around to that junction.

Apalachicola Reserve Southern magnolia in the forest


Continue straight ahead before taking the next left. This portion of the trail crosses a wetter pine habitat before rejoining the main trail within sight of the Nature Center.

Turn left to walk up to the Nature Center, which is on the upper deck. Use the stairs or the elevator.

Apalachicola Reserve The Nature Center is tucked in the trees


Inside the center, you’ll find tanks with marine life as well as exhibits on the natural and cultural history of Apalachicola Bay. A movie is offered in the theater.

When you leave the Nature Center, follow the main trail back towards the parking area. Turn left at the 4-way junction to follow the path and boardwalk to the Bay Overlook.

Apalachicola NERR bayfront
View from the observation deck

It swoops out near the parking area before re-entering the coastal pine forest. Soon it emerges along the shoreline of Apalachicola Bay.

From the observation deck, you get a sweeping view of the natural beach and its marshes. Return along this path to the main trail and turn left to exit to the parking area.

Apalachicola NERR boardwalkAlong the boardwalk at the Nature Center


Trail Map

Apalachicola Reserve Nature Center Trails Map Map of trails around and near the Nature Center



Explore More!

Millender Park, immediately north of the nature center, has picnic pavilions and a small beach for kayakers to put in. The 0.5-mile Cat Point Trail is shown at the lower left of the trail map.


Slideshow

See our photos of the Apalachicola NERR Nature Center


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Loblolly bay Apalachicola NERR

Cat Point Trail

Just a short walk from the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Visitor Center, this half-mile loop meanders coastal habitats in Eastpoint

Scipio Creek Trail

Scipio Creek Boardwalk

A sweeping view of the Apalachicola River estuary waits like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow on this beautiful nature trail and boardwalk

Scrub along the High Bluff Coastal Trail

High Bluff Coastal Hiking Trail

Discover the beauty of the Forgotten Coast by hiking one or both loops through coastal scrub protected atop high dunes inside Tate’s Hell State Forest

St George Island State Park

St. George Island State Park

Blessed with brilliant white quartz sand, St. George Island State Park is a sparkling, quiet getaway protecting more than 2,000 acres of coastal habitats on a barrier island between Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.


Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Hikes, Loop Hikes, National Estuarine Research Reserves, Nature Centers, Nature Trails, Northwest Florida, TrailsTag: Accessible, Apalachicola, Apalachicola Bay, Apalachicola NERR, Best Family Hikes, Big Bend Scenic Byway, Birding, Boardwalks, Eastpoint, Easy Hikes, Family-Friendly, Observation Decks, Wildlife Viewing

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