Exploring Blountstown
Blountstown is the seat of Calhoun County and well known for its railroad history and preserving regional folkways at the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement.
It is a Florida Trail Gateway Community, as the Florida Trail passes right through town on the Blountstown Greenway.
While Blountstown received a direct hit from Hurricane Michael in October 2018, a great deal of effort was put into reopening the Greenway and Sam Atkins Park for use.
Volunteers have been instrumental in restoring the grounds of the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement as well.
Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Trails and Parks Around Blountstown
Angus Gholson Nature Park Above the Apalachicola River, the community of Chattahoochee hides a natural treasure in its deep ravines—a park named for its native son, botanist Angus Gholson.
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.
Blountstown Greenway Connecting neighborhoods, parks, and services within a historic Apalachicola River town, the 3.4 mile linear Blountstown Greenway incorporates a segment of the Florida Trail.
Camel Lake Loop Explore robust sandhill habitats on a short loop hike around cypress-lined Camel Pond at Camel Lake Recreation Area in the Apalachicola National Forest. 
Chattahoochee River Landing Park An access point for paddlers and anglers downriver from Woodruff Dam, Chattahoochee River Landing Park extends along the east bank of the Apalachicola River. 
Dead Lakes Park Centered around a mysterious 6,700-acre swamp forest with open waters and shrunken bald cypresses, Dead Lakes Park provides paddlers, hikers, and campers with a place to play.
Florida Caverns State Park A dip into Florida’s only show cave brings on an instant sense of cool. But the cave tour isn't the only delight you'll find at Florida Caverns State Park.
Florida Trail, Altha 1.7 miles. Following Bauldree Branch to the bluffs of the Chipola River, the Altha section of the Florida Trail is a fabulous destination for spring wildflowers.
Florida Trail, Apalachicola In Florida’s largest national forest, this 78 mile segment of the Florida Trail through the Apalachicola means soggy feet and spectacular botanical diversity south of Tallahassee.
Florida Trail, Central Panhandle West of the Apalachicola River, 99 miles of the Florida Trail stitches a series of public lands together along the corridor of the Northwest Florida Greenway.
Garden of Eden Trail Try one of Florida's toughest day hikes on for size: local legend has it this was the Garden of Eden, and from the lush forests and rare flora along this trek, they might be on to something.
Paddle to Dead Lakes One of Florida's most unusual and beautiful places to paddle, the Dead Lakes include 6,700 acres of mazy cypress and tupelo swamps in the Chipola River floodplain.
Torreya Challenge Loop An atypical hike by Florida standards, the aptly named Torreya Challenge Loop offers 7 miles of tough terrain and a scenic blufftop backpacking campsite. 
Torreya Hiking Trail One of the most rugged hikes in Florida, the Torreya Hiking Trail treats you to an scenic landscape of ravines and bluffs rising 300 feet above the Apalachicola River.
Torreya Rock Creek Loop Traversing rugged terrain through steep ravines above the Apalachicola River, the Rock Creek Loop at Torreya State Park offers distinctly scenic landscapes in a botanically-rich corner of Florida. 
Torreya State Park Perched on bluffs above the Apalachicola River, Torreya State Park is one of Florida’s first state parks, developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s
Torreya Weeping Ridge Trail A short though challenging hike the Weeping Ridge Trail offers unusual views for the state of Florida, crossing tall ridges and ending at a small waterfall. 
Trail of Lakes Using a portion of the Florida Trail to make a loop, the 9.5 mile Trail of Lakes circles wildflower-filled pine flatwoods, sandhills, and titi swamps, connecting two backpacker campsites near Camel Lake.Articles
Paddle to Dead Lakes (6/16/2014) One of Florida's most unusual and beautiful places to paddle, the Dead Lakes include 6,700 acres of mazy cypress and tupelo swamps in the Chipola River floodplain.
Calhoun, Chipola, and the Altha Trail (4/8/2013) A quick introduction to the Altha Trail, the first public footpath in rural Calhoun County south of Marianna and north of Blountstown, part of the Florida Trail.