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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Camel Lake Loop

Camel Lake Loop

Circle a cypress lined pond in the Apalachicola National Forest at Camel Lake Recreation Area on the Camel Lake Loop, enjoying scenic views and a walk through the pine forest

Apalachicola National Forest  |  Camel Lake Recreation Area
( 30.2768, -84.9906 )      1.2 miles

At Camel Lake Recreation Area, the Camel Lake Loop is a short hike on high ground in a place where most habitats are downright swampy.

Despite the name of the recreation area, this body of water is Camel Pond, one of many large ponds in this part of the forest, and the trail circles it.

An easy 1.2 mile walk on a broad trail, it’s a good add-on to a visit, whether you’re here for a picnic or camping.


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State 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: Apalachicola National Forest
Length: 1.2 mile loop
Trailhead: 30.2768, -84.9906
Fees: $5 per vehicle
Restroom: At the recreation area
Land manager: National Forests in Florida
Phone:

Camel Lake Recreation Area is open 9 AM – 4 PM summer, 8 AM – 6 PM winter.

Those camping at Camel Lake have access to the trail outside day use hours. Leashed dogs permitted.


Directions

 
Follow CR 12 south from the CR 12 and SR 20 intersection in Bristol into the Apalachicola National Forest. Watch for FR 105 on the left. Follow the road for 2 miles. Turn right and park inside Camel Lake Recreation Area

Hike

Park your vehicle in the large parking area near the restrooms, and walk down to the lake. Look out over the calm waters. On a warm day, you might see an alligator.

On a holy day, you might see members of a local church performing baptisms in the old traditional way.

Turn right and follow the shoreline around to an old jeep road that leads to the boat ramp. Here you’ll see a sign for the trailhead.

The path is broad and not at all difficult to follow as it circles the pond under a canopy of tall longleaf pines and turkey oaks.

You’ll pass interpretive markers long abandoned; guess at their meanings. At a fork, keep to the left, always with the pond at your left.

The trail continues on a low bluff above the water and eventually loops around to place itself between the campground and the water.

You reach the recreation area’s edge at the open grassy space. Continue back to the parking area to complete the 1.2 mile loop.


Explore More!

Learn more about the Apalachicola National Forest

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


Slideshow

See our photos from the Camel Lake Loop


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Trail of Lakes

Trail of Lakes

Make a 9.5-mile loop in the Florida Trail east of Camel Lake in the Apalachicola National Forest by using a blue-blazed connector weaving through titi swamps and around large flatwoods ponds.

Tupelo swamp Florida Trail

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, where careful inspection along the Florida Trail yields a bounty of carnivorous plants.

Bonnet Pond

Florida Trail, Vilas to Camel Lake

10.3 miles. Broadening your perspective on Florida’s largest national forest, the Florida Trail east of Camel Lake offers an ever-shifting focus from macro to landscape, showcasing one of the most habitat-diverse parts of the Apalachicola National Forest.

Pitcher plant bog

Apalachee Savannas Scenic Byway

In the Apalachicola National Forest, the Apalachee Savannas Scenic Byway is a winding stretch of scenic road through expansive wet flatwoods and open pine savannas

Official Website

Category: Day Hikes, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, Northwest Florida, TrailsTag: Apalachicola National Forest, Blountstown, Bristol, Camel Lake, Developed Camping, Dog-friendly, Family-Friendly, Lakefront, National Forests, Picnic, Wildlife Viewing

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Our recent park & trail updates in this region

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Juniper Lake Trail

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