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.
Resources
Overview
Location: Sopchoppy
Lat-Lon: 29.999897,-84.503952
Fees: $4-5 per vehicle
Open: 8 AM until sunset daily
Leashed pets welcome
Location
Details
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.
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.
Docks near the confluence provide an entry point for boaters, and kayakers can pull up on the gentle beaches along the bluffs. Beneath the thickly-knit branches of sand live oaks, the picnic area and playground always has a nice breeze.
Explore the park
Explore Ochlockonee River State Park - For a breezy place to camp and trails to explore, head on up to the "Forgotten Coast" and track down Ochlockonee River State Park outside of Sopchoppy.
Ochlockonee River State Park Trails - On 2.6 miles of nature trails, immerse in the sandhills and pine flatwoods habitats of the Ochlockonee River basin at Ochlockonee River State Park.