Lake Talquin Nature Trail

Lake Talquin is a rarity in Florida due to its sheer size and character. Surrounded by obvious bluffs and ridges, it looks distinctly Appalachian.

In fact, this vast reservoir holds back the Ochlockonee River behind the Jackson Bluff Dam to generate hydroelectric power for Tallahassee.

Lake Talquin from its bluffs

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The interpretive trail is a tease, leading up to the edge of ravines but never plunging in, rambling close to bluffs well above the lake but never to the edge.

With a mostly open understory, strategically placed benches, and gentle terrain changes, it’s an easy walk for visitors of all ages.

Along the nature trail

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Resources

Resources for exploring the area
 
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Overview

Directions

Hike

Starting on the south side of the parking lot, the blue-blazed trail leads into a beautiful bluff forest of Southern magnolia, oaks, and sparkleberry.

After a handful of steps, keep right at a fork to start the loop. Listen for “The Sounds of Nature” at the first interpretive sign. In the early morning, birdsong echoes throughout the forest.

Start of the trail

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The landscape slopes off sharply into a forest-filled ravine. The understory is very open under the oaks, magnolias, and slash pines.

In the winter months, when the leaves are off the trees, it’s rather obvious that you’re on a high ridge above Lake Talquin.

Undulating landscape

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Pass an oak tree with a gaping hole in its base. Close to the head of the steephead ravine, a deeply folded landscape, an interpretive sign discusses habitat.

The trail curves right to parallel the top of the ravine. Scattered saw palmetto dot the understory.

Along a ravine

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Straight ahead, the landscape simply drops off, with glimpses of the lake through the trees.

A jog left leads towards another ravine, passing more interpretive information. To the right the lake becomes obvious, across the deep bowl of ravine.

Heading towards a lake view

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Swinging away from the ravine, the trail passes a slash pine with a pucker in its trunk and a large old oak that looks like it’s about to fall.

Beneath the pines, the understory is thicker. The landscape undulates to the right, and the view of the water becomes clearer.

Above the lake

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As the trail parallels the lake, it becomes obvious it is atop a peninsula jutting out into this hydroelectric reservoir.

After a half mile, the trail reaches the point of the peninsula, where several benches provide a place to sit and watch for raptors on the breeze.

Benches near the point

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Folding back on itself to run along the other edge of the peninsula, the trail now places the lake to your right.

Laurel oaks and slash pines compete to provide a canopy as the trail turns away from the lake and into denser forest.

Beneath the slash pines

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A lone sweetgum showcases colorful leaves as the trail dips downward, headed towards another ravine. The understory is once again very open.

Past an unusually large sparkleberry, there is an interpretive sign on attracting wildlife. A large Spanish bayonet stands out against the otherwise soft textures of the forest.

Broadening footpath

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The footpath is covered in pine duff, and much broader, as if it were a forest road. The forest to the right steeply slopes into ravines as the trail pulls away from them.

Deep shade makes this a pleasant walk. It gains elevation and with it, a denser understory. Pass the “Animal Tracks” sign at 0.7 mile.

A jog in the trail

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Near it is an oddly twisted pine and a stand of yaupon holly. Small depression pits are in the woods to the left.

Heading downslope again, the trail passes a minor depression to the right before it flattens out again. A post that says “Mile 1” has a bench just beyond it.

Bench after a mile

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At a double-blaze with a bench, make a sharp left to leave the broad path for the narrow one.

Slip through a tunnel of sparkleberry, and you can see the shimmer of the lake up ahead. The loop ends, and you emerge at the parking area after 1.1 miles.

Shimmer of the lake

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Add another quarter mile — and a workout — with a hike down to the lake. Continue across the parking lot to the picnic shelter. Make a beeline to the stairs.

Eight landings down, there’s a gorgeous boardwalk along the reservoir, which visitors use for fishing, birding, and just hanging out.

Boardwalk on the lake

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Climb five landings up to get back to the bluff. Follow the old road on your right for a walk to the boat ramp, which provides another perspective on the lake.

Use either the boat ramp road or return via the boardwalk and stairs to the picnic area to exit.

Climbing back up from lake level

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Trail Map

Explore More!

Learn more about Lake Talquin State Park

Lake Talquin State Park On the shores of Lake Talquin, a vast reservoir filling gaps in a deeply folded landscape west of Tallahassee, it's easy to imagine you're in the Appalachians.

Slideshow

See our photos of Lake Talquin State Park

Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Fort Braden Trails Showcasing bluff forests and deep ravines above Lake Talquin, the Fort Braden Trails at Lake Talquin State Forest offer enough hiking along a tiered trio of trails for a weekend in the woods.

Silver Lake Trail A popular recreation area in the Apalachicola National Forest west of Tallahassee, Silver Lake is looped by a nature trail that provides scenic views of the lake

Living Forest Trail An accessible trail at the Bear Creek Tract, this short but educational trail offers "talking trees" for a unique learning experience in a Florida forest.

Terry Rhodes Trail System Featuring steep topography and a high biodiversity of plant life along its network of five loop trails, Bear Creek Educational Forest is the crown jewel of Lake Talquin State Forest.