Hiking Bristol

Exploring Bristol

The county seat of Liberty County, Bristol has a compact, walkable downtown. Immediately to its south is the vast Apalachicola National Forest, which extends an hour’s drive south and southeast.

To the north of Bristol are conservation lands along the Apalachicola River bluffs, including Torreya State Park and lands managed by The Nature Conservancy.

In town, Veterans Memorial Park features a walking trail, a boardwalk into a cypress swamp paralleling a scale model railroad open periodically for rides.

The Florida Trail passes through Bristol as it heads west over the long Trammel Bridge over the Apalachicola River into the Central Time Zone.

On the other side of the bridge is Blountstown, another rural river community.

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

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Trails and Parks near Bristol

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.

Paved path within a canopied shady tunnel

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.

Camel Lake Recreation Area A beauty spot among the sandhills surrounding Camel Pond, Camel Lake Recreation Area is a relatively remote camping destination in the Apalachicola National Forest.

Words Florida Trail Apalachicola over a gum swamp

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, Bristol Roadwalk 11.2 miles. One of the narrowest high-speed highways that the Florida Trail follows, CR 12 into Bristol connects the Apalachicola National Forest with the Apalachicola River.

Florida Trail, Camel Lake to Savannahs 5.3 miles. Wet feet are expected on this traverse of the pine savannas along the edges of Johnson Juniper Swamp in the Apalachicola National Forest.

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.

Florida Trail, Jewel to Vilas 14.3 miles. Delving deep into the swampy heart of the Apalachicola National Forest, this section spans some of the gnarliest titi and gum swamps you'll see outside of Bradwell Bay.

Florida Trail, Porter Lake to Jewel 4.6 miles. A deep immersion in pine flatwoods and titi swamps awaits along this segment of the Florida Trail, which uses many old forest roads to cross tributaries draining into the Ochlockonee River.

Florida Trail, Vilas to Camel Lake 10.3 miles. Broadening your perspective on Florida's largest national forest, this hike offers an ever-shifting focus from macro to landscape amid habitat diversity in the Apalachicola National Forest.

View from a river bluff with river below and ridges beyond

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.

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.

Large round pond edged by small cypress trees

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.

Summer in the Savannas (6/13/2014) 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.

Florida Hikes for Botanical Beauty (3/17/2014) Enjoy Florida's botanical bounty with this handpicked selection of walks in the woods to see spectacular wildflowers, big trees, and unique habitats throughout the state of Florida.