As the great swampy bays of the Apalachicola National Forest drain towards the sea, they carry wilderness waters through the tiny town of Sopchoppy into Ochlockonee Bay.
It’s at Ochlockonee River State Park where waters meet, the tidal bore of the estuary pushing upstream to meet two rivers – the Dead River and the Ochlockonee – at this pine-scented peninsula, a launch point for estuarine exploration.
Launch point for paddlingResources
Resources for exploring the area
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Overview
Location: Sopchoppy
Entrance: 29.999897,-84.503952
Address: 429 State Park Rd, Sopchoppy
Fees: $4 per vehicle, $2 pedestrian or cyclist
Restroom: At the picnic area and campground
Land manager: Florida State Park
Phone: 850-962-2771
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
The park is 4 miles south of Sopchoppy along US 319. From US 98, follow US 319 north towards Sopchoppy. After you enter the park, follow State Park Rd past the campground to the end of the road at the picnic area.
About the Park
Colorful wildflowers carpet the forest floor in spring and fall, including the rare Panhandle lily.
The Pine Flatwoods and Ochlockonee River Trails enable you to wander through the woods for photography and wildlife watching, at its finest along Reflection Pond.
Ochlockonee River State Park Trails
Create a 2.6-mile loop around scenic Ochlockonee River State Park by linking the Pine Flatwood Nature Trail and the Ochlockonee River Nature Trail.
Not fond of walking? The park has a beautiful scenic drive that winds through the wiregrass and also provides access to the beauty spot on Reflection Pond.
Picnic area on the bluff near the confluenceBeneath the thickly-knit branches of sand live oaks, the picnic area and playground always has a nice breeze.
Docks near the confluence provide an entry point for boaters, and kayakers can pull up on the gentle beaches along the bluffs.
Expanse of marsh near the tip of the peninsulaTrail Map
Explore More!
Slideshow
See our photos from Ochlockonee River State Park
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
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.
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, 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 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.