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Florida Trail, Sopchoppy

Florida Trail, Sopchoppy

8.9 miles. Slipping through pine flatwoods and sandhills to the east of Sopchoppy, the Florida Trail plays tag with a network of forest roads that criss-crosses the southern portion of the Apalachicola National Forest.

Florida Trail, Apalachicola  |  Apalachicola National Forest
( 30.074890, -84.404846 )      8.9 miles

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8.9 miles. Slipping through pine flatwoods and sandhills to the east of Sopchoppy, this segment of the Florida Trail plays tag with a network of forest roads that criss-crosses the southern portion of the National Forest.


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover Florida Trail small coffee table book 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

A surprisingly interesting and easily accessed segment of the Florida Trail, this span of footpath between Medart and the Sopchoppy River is mainly within a maze of forest roads.

These pine flatwoods and pine plantations were managed for timber prior to a shift in priorities to more natural habitats within the Apalachicola National Forest.

However, this hike showcases some spectacular swaths of pine flatwoods, and crosses a couple of picturesque creeks. If you love wildflowers, this is a must-hike piece of the Florida Trail for spring and fall blooms.

Florida Trail Sopchoppy
Savanna between pine flatwoods and titi swamp

Trip Planning

The Apalachicola National Forest is a popular destination for hunters, especially during the fall deer season, when hikers are restricted to camping at designated campsites.

The remainder of the year, you are welcome to random camp in any pleasant spot. Check hunt dates as a part of your trip planning, and always wear bright orange clothing during hunting seasons.


Directions

 
For the Carraway Cutoff trailhead at the south end of this section, bear right at the Y intersection where US 319 diverges from US 98 west at Triangle Mart in Medart. After 1.1 miles, turn left onto Carraway Cutoff, a dirt road. Continue another quarter mile or so to the small trailhead on the left. It can handle 3 or 4 cars.
 
The Oak Park trailhead is 6.3 miles north of Sopchoppy. From downtown Sopchoppy, follow Railroad Avenue north. Entering the rural community of Oak Park, it becomes Oak Park Road, which turns to dirt (and becomes FR 365) as it enters the Apalachicola National Forest. Once you’re on the dirt road, turn left at FR 343. After the road crosses the Sopchoppy River, there is an enormous trailhead parking area on the right side of the road.

Hike

Starting from Carraway Cutoff, you parallel US 319 for a stretch before crossing it. Soon after, there are lengthy boardwalks with a balance-beam feel as the trail makes its way through pines and titi swamps to Lawhon Mill Road.

Once you cross that road, the trail starts zigzagging its way along the forest roads, bridging them here and there with refreshing stretches of footpath under the pines.

Florida Trail Sopchoppy
Boardwalk near the beginning of the hike

There are two designated campsites along this section – Bent Sapling and Sopchoppy River – and both must be used by backpackers during general gun hunting season.

Otherwise, you’re free to random camp, and there are some pretty spots along the way, some of which we highlight in the Florida Trail Guide app.

Florida Trail, Sopchoppy
Dry section of pine flatwoods along the Sopchoppy hike

Deep within this section is a creek ford, which comes as somewhat of a surprise, and no matter the time of year, you can expect a little wading through deep puddles on some of the forest roads.

West of the power transmission lines under which the GF&A bicycle path (in planning stages) will eventually link Tallahassee with Sopchoppy, the trail zigzags through more pine flatwoods.

It then enters two bayhead swamps where loblolly bay and pine trees tower well overhead.

Crossing Oak Park Road, the last-chance opportunity for access to resupply in Sopchoppy, the trail continues into a climax sandhill forest dominated by laurel oaks.

It reaches the Sopchoppy River campsite and a walk on the river bluffs before using the FR 343 bridge over the river to reach its finale at the Oak Park trailhead.

FLORIDA TRAIL NORTHBOUND: Sopchoppy River
FLORIDA TRAIL SOUTHBOUND:Purify Bay, St. Marks NWR


Explore More!

Learn more about the Florida Trail and Apalachicola National Forest

Porter Lake, Apalachicola National Forest

Florida Trail, Apalachicola

77.9 miles. Florida’s largest national forest, Apalachicola is a very lush place, which means soggy feet and spectacular botanical diversity south of Tallahassee.

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 of the Florida Trail, Sopchoppy


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Florida Trail, Sopchoppy River

Florida Trail, Sopchoppy River

4.1 miles. Following the gentle curves of the Sopchoppy River in the Apalachicola National Forest, this section of the Florida Trail is one of the most scenic hikes on the trail.

St Marks NWR

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Stretching across 70,000 acres in Florida’s Big Bend, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge protects one of Florida’s longest wild shorelines, more than 43 miles in three counties.

Myron B Hodge City Park

Myron B Hodge City Park

Myron B. Hodge City Park offers a nature trail where you can linger along the Sopchoppy River amid the sweet spring scent of Florida azalea.

Expanse of blue water and pines

Ochlockonee River State Park

At Ochlockonee River State Park waters meet, the tidal bore of the estuary pushing upstream to meet two rivers draining the vast swamps of the Apalachicola National Forest.

Hunt Dates Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, Northwest Florida, TrailsTag: Apalachicola National Forest, Big Trees, Botanical, Crawfordville, Dog-friendly, Florida Trail, FT Apalachicola, National Forests, Primitive Camping, Scenic Hikes, Sopchoppy, Sopchoppy River, Tallahassee

Have an update? Contact us.

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Our Florida Trail Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideThe comprehensive mile-by-mile guidebook to planning section and thru-hikes along the entire length of the Florida Trail. 356 pages, $19.95 + tax and shipping.

Order Now


Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail HikesFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail, plus nine of the best section hikes. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

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Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
Our virtual walk along the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

Order Now


The Florida Trail

Florida Trail large coffee table book cover of trail down swamp causeway under ancient pines

Our history of the first 50 years of the Florida Trail, from its founding in 1966 to becoming a National Scenic Trail to volunteer efforts today.

Learn More

The Florida Trail App

Comprehensive logistics and offline maps all in one: The Florida Trail Guide is now also an interactive map-based mile-by-mile app by Guthook Guides.

Get the App!

Florida Trail Updates


Get periodic recaps of changes to the Florida Trail, which we accumulate between editions of our guidebook. Find all official Trail Closures & Notices here.

Hiking the Florida Trail

  • Florida Trail Overview
  • Plan your Hike
  • Choose the Right Gear
  • Best Scenic Hikes
  • Best Backpacking Trips
  • Section Hiking
  • Thru-Hiking
  • Eastern Continental Trail
  • Florida Trail in South Florida
  • Florida Trail in Central Florida
  • Florida Trail in North Florida
  • Florida Trail in Northwest Florida
  • Florida Trail for Scouting
  • Florida Trail Adventures
  • Florida Trail Updates

Florida Trail by Section

Porter Lake, Apalachicola National Forest

Florida Trail, Apalachicola

Florida Trail, Apalachicola
Florida Trail Big Bend view

Florida Trail, Big Bend

Florida Trail, Big Bend
Florida Trail Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Blackwater

Florida Trail, Blackwater
Florida Trail Nokuse

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle
Eglin Weaver Creek

Florida Trail, Eglin

Florida Trail, Eglin
Florida Trail Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee
Florida Trail at Rice Creek

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida
Juniper Prairie Wilderness

Florida Trail, Ocala

Florida Trail, Ocala
Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail
Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee
Florida Trail at Forever Florida

Florida Trail, Orlando

Florida Trail, Orlando
Florida Trail Seashore Dunes

Florida Trail, Seashore

Florida Trail, Seashore
Florida Trail along a canal south of Clewiston

Florida Trail, Seminole

Florida Trail, Seminole
No Name Creek

Florida Trail, Suwannee

Florida Trail, Suwannee
Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

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