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.
Florida Trail, Apalachicola 77.9 miles. Florida’s largest national forest, Apalachicola is a very lush place, which means soggy feet and spectacular botanical diversity south of Tallahassee.
Florida Trail, Big Bend 116.2 miles. After crossing rural farms and forests in the Big Bend, the Florida Trail reveals the secrets of the Aucilla River before tracing the Gulf coastline at St. Marks NWR
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 5.3 miles. Plunging into coastal swamps at the Cathedral of Palms, this popular hike along the Florida Trail centers on Shepherd Spring, a natural treasure 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.
Granite Point Loop Traversing a variety of ecosystems undergoing degrees of habitat restoration, the Granite Point Loop at Bald Point State Park features fantastic views of Ochlockonee Bay.
Maritime Hammock Loop, Bald Point Discover the beauty of a lightly-walked beach paired with the intimate details of a maritime forest and the immense panorama of a coastal estuary on this 1.3 mile loop at Bald Point State Park.
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 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.Articles
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.