Nestled around a prairie lake in an upland area of the Apalachicola National Forest, Camel Lake Recreation Area is a popular spot for hiking, camping, and swimming.
Waterfront at Camel LakeThe Florida Trail runs through it, with two loop hikes accessible from the parking area: the 9.5 mile Trail of Lakes and the significantly smaller 1.3 mile Camel Lake Loop.
A campground next to the day use area offers sites that can be reserved in advance for a quiet overnight stay under dark, star-filled skies.
Campsite at Camel LakeResources
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Overview
Location: Aplachicola National Forest
Length: 1.3 miles
Trailhead: 30.2768, -84.9906
Address: FR 105, Bristol
Fees: $5 per vehicle
Restrooms: Next to the parking area
Land manager: National Forests in Florida
Phone: 352-395-4932
Open 9 – 4 summer, 8 – 6 winter. Leashed dogs welcome. All campground reservations must be made online in advance.
While hunting is permitted in the surrounding forest, it is not allowed within the recreation area.
Directions
From the intersection of CR 12 and SR 20 in Bristol, head south on CR 12 for 11.5 miles before turning on Forest Rd 105, a sometimes-rough dirt road. Continue for 2 miles. Camel Lake Recreation Area day use parking area is on the right. Pay the entrance fee and park in the lot on the right near the picnic area.
Hike
Starting at the parking area, follow a concrete sidewalk past the restroom building before stepping off the solid walkway.
Follow a grassy slope that descends towards the shoreline of the lake. Turning to the right, head for a gap in the trees beyond the covered picnic pavilion to find the trailhead.
Walkway to the lakeImmediately after passing a picnic table tucked under an oak at the water’s edge, a sign with hiking symbols indicates the beginning of the loop.
The trail tunnels through shady canopy before emerging alongside a forest road where a pair of blue blazes signify a left turn.
Trailhead signThe forest road ends nearby at a boat ramp framed by a group of cypress trees covered in Spanish moss. Another hiking sign with an arrow shows the direction of the trail.
Pines, palmettos, wiregrass, and turkey oaks border a sandy pathway as it begins to circle around the lake.
Cypress trees at the boat rampIn the autumn months, an array of wildflowers sprout from the forest floor, producing long stems topped with vibrant purple and yellow blooms.
Blue-blazed pine trees lead the way as the trail continues its circuit, revealing occasional glimpses of the lake through the tree lined shore.
Blue blazed pineAt 1.2 miles, the trail winds past several campground sites before opening to a clearing where a rustic bench fashioned from a tree stump overlooks Camel Pond.
Beyond the bench, the loop ends alongside a sandy beach within view of the parking area.
Lakeside benchTrail Map
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.Video
Hiking the Camel Lake Loop
Slideshow
See our photos from Camel Lake Recreation Area
Nearby Adventures
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.
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. 
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.
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
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