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View of lake through trees

Lake Talquin Nature Trail

Deeply forested, the interpretive trail at Lake Talquin State Park edges ravines and bluffs high above Lake Talquin, a reservoir along the Ochlockonee River.

Lake Talquin State Park  |  Tallahassee
( 30.436595, -84.536576 )      1.1 miles

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.

Bluff forest with staircase and lake Lake Talquin from its bluffs


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.

Pathway downhill with lake behind trees Along the nature trail


Resources

Resources for exploring the area
North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover The Hiking Trails of Floridas National Forests Parks Preserves 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:
Length: 1.1 mile loop
Trailhead: 30.436595, -84.536576
Address: 14850 Jack Vause Landing Rd, Tallahassee
Fees: $3 per vehicle
Restroom: At the parking area
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 850-487-7989
 
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.

Directions

 
From Tallahassee, follow SR 20 west for 10.6 miles to Jack Vause Landing Road, where you’ll see the sign for the state park. Continue carefully for the next 0.3 mile down this narrow, one lane clay road which leads to the park entrance road. The park road and parking area are paved.

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.

Bluff forest with blazed trees Start of the trail


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.

Ravines along trail Undulating landscape


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.

Ravine along trail Along a ravine


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.

View of lake through trees Heading towards a lake view


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.

Lake view through trees Above the lake


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 in forest Benches near the point


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.

Trail between tall pines Beneath the slash pines


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.

Wide trail between trees Broadening footpath


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.

Blaze and arrow pointing left A jog in the trail


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 in a forest Bench after a mile


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.

Lake beyond forest Shimmer of the lake


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.

Person on a boardwalk Boardwalk on the lake


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.

Lake beyond forest Climbing back up from lake level


Trail Map

Lake Talquin State Park Trail Map


Explore More!

Learn more about Lake Talquin State Park

Pier on a lake with ridges on the far shore 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.

Footbridge over a ravine on a slope 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 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
Talking tree along the Living Forest Trail 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.
Steephead stream in bluff 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.

Park Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Hikes, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, Northwest Florida, TrailsTag: Dog-friendly, Florida State Parks, Hilly, Lake Talquin State Park, Lakefront, Observation Decks, Picnic, Tallahassee

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