Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Exploring Sopchoppy
Home to the annual Worm Grunting Festival, Sopchoppy is a compact town with an artsy vibe and lots of azaleas in bloom in early spring.
It has earned its standing as Florida Trail Gateway Community, as the tiny downtown is used for resupply by long distance hikers. Civic Brewing, a homegrown microbrewer, brings in food trucks.
More recently, the state bestowed also Trail Town status on Sopchoppy thanks to its location along a vast network of bicycle paths stretching to Tallahassee, and its water trails.
The Florida Trail sweeps through the Apalachicola National Forest north of town, offering vistas along the Sopchoppy River and nice designated campsites for backpackers.
Camp at Ochlockonee River State Park or Myron B. Hodge City Park. Hotels are available along US 98 just 15 minutes away in Medart.
Trails and Parks near Sopchoppy
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.
Bald Point Maritime Hammock Trail A remote beach, a sweep of estuary, a broad bay, and the Gulf of Mexico: the beauty that surrounds this 1.3 mile nature trail at Bald Point invites full exploration on a 2 mile hike.
Bald Point Tucker Lake Trail Circling the largest body of water in Bald Point State Park, the Tucker Lake Trail showcases a blend of dry upland ecosystems and expansive marshlands. 
Bluffs Overlook Trail Within pine forests planted on WWII-era Camp Gordon Johnston atop high ground above the Ochlockonee River, enjoy vistas of the river and its bay from the St. Teresa Bluffs.
Florida Trail, Apalachicola In Florida’s largest national forest, this 78 mile segment of the Florida Trail through the Apalachicola means soggy feet and spectacular botanical diversity south of Tallahassee.
Florida Trail, Big Bend Crossing rural farms and forests, this 116 mile segment of the Florida Trail reveals the secrets of the Aucilla River before tracing the Gulf coastline at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
Florida Trail, Bradwell Bay 12.3 miles. You're guaranteed to get wet on Florida's roughest, wildest day hike. Situated south of Tallahassee, the Bradwell Bay Wilderness is one of the most majestic and wild places in Northwest Florida.
Florida Trail, Bradwell West to Porter Lake 6.8 miles. A connective piece of the Florida Trail centered on the Langston House trailhead, this stretch of trail marries wet flatwoods with roadwalking as it crosses the Ochlockonee River.
Florida Trail, Porter Lake to Jewel 4.6 miles. A deep immersion in pine flatwoods and titi swamps awaits along this segment of the Florida Trail, which uses many old forest roads to cross tributaries draining into the Ochlockonee River.
Florida Trail, Shepherd Spring Visit a pair of natural treasures along the Forgotten Coast on this 6 mile hike along the Florida Trail within St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
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.
Florida Trail, Spring Creek Discover magnificent salt marshes and pine forests where the Florida Trail traverses wild coastlines of the Big Bend in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. 
Granite Point Loop Traversing ecosystems undergoing degrees of habitat restoration, the 4.8 mile Granite Point Loop at Bald Point State Park features fantastic views of Ochlockonee Bay.
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.
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.
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.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Stretching across 86,000 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.
Tates Hell Blue Spring Tucked into rural woodlands south of Sopchoppy, a mile round-trip hike in Tates Hell State Forest leads to a hidden swimming hole with a cozy primitive campsite.Articles
Florida’s Front Line Beaches (6/6/2024) During World War II, two specialized coastal training bases in Florida contributed to the successful D-Day landings at Normandy and at beachheads beyond. 
Explore Ochlockonee River State Park (6/2/2011) 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.