Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Exploring Tallahassee
A largely canopied city, Tallahassee is one of Florida’s premiere destinations for access to a broad range of outdoor adventures.
Florida’s largest national forest, the Apalachicola National Forest, sits to its west, and a corridor of lands along Lake Lafayette and the headwaters of the St. Marks River to its east.
To the south is vast acreage protected in state and federal lands in Wakulla County, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
As Florida’s center of state government, building connectivity around Tallahassee has been high on the agenda for state agencies.
It’s possible to jump on a bike within sight of the Capitol in Cascades Park and ride all the way down to the Gulf Coast at Ochlockonee Bay via paved bike paths.
Off-road cyclists can quickly access the Apalachicola National Forest for rides in Munson Hills.
Within city limits, numerous parks feature rugged ravines for hikers and cyclists to traverse.
Gentler trails can be found in parks and gardens throughout the urban core, but they still provide a workout: Tallahassee is Florida’s hilliest city.
Trails and Parks in Tallahassee
A.J. Henry Park Loop between a sinkhole lake and a steephead ravine for challenging elevation changes on this 2.1 mile hike in a 72-acre woodland in northern Tallahassee.
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park Explore a true Tallahassee treasure on gentle garden paths amid plantings dating back to 1923 or along well-trodden trails into wild woodlands along Lake Hall and Lake Overstreet. 
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.
Cherokee Sink Trail A window into the watery world of the Woodville Karst Plain, Cherokee Sink is a large, deep water-filled sinkhole in a less-traveled section of Wakulla Springs State Park.
Dorothy B. Oven Park Only seven acres in size, Dorothy B. Oven Park is a Tallahassee city park developed on a former nursery established by one of Florida's earliest camellia growers.
Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park A hiker's paradise in Tallahassee, Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park offers miles of trails exploring contoured terrain and winding streams under a tall, shady canopy of majestic trees. 
Florida Trail, Apalachee Bay 14.3 miles. Hugging the Big Bend coastline, this hike through Aucilla WMA and St. Marks NWR offers some of the most breathtaking panoramas you'll find along the Florida Trail, and a profusion of wildlife.
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, Aucilla River 9 miles. Endearingly scenic, surprisingly rugged, unlike any other piece of the Florida Trail, this trek along the Aucilla River showcases some of Florida's top natural features.
Florida Trail, Aucilla Sinks 4.4 miles. Winding through a geologically weird and archaeologically significant part of Florida, the most fascinating segment of the Florida Trail is the Aucilla Sinks
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, 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.
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.
Horn Spring Trail Four miles upriver from Natural Bridge Battlefield as the trail winds, scenic Horn Spring is a destination within an expansion of the park protecting springs of the St. Marks River.
J.R. Alford Greenway Preserving a peninsula in the Lake Lafayette basin for recreational use, the J.R. Alford Greenway is the eastern gateway to the Lafayette Heritage Trail. 
Jackson View Park Take in two very different panoramas of Lake Jackson in Tallahassee from two almost-contiguous parks along its western shoreline.
Lafayette Heritage Trail Park Hike, bike, paddle, or fish along the well-marked trails of Lafayette Heritage Trail Park in a deeply wooded landscape east of downtown Tallahassee.
Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park A clearing in the deep forest along the north shore of Lake Jackson reveals reminders of a civilization long gone from the face of Florida. 
Lake Jackson Mounds Butler Mill Trail Explore a steephead ravine in a cool hardwood forest above the shores of Lake Jackson on the Butler Mill Trail, an interpretive trail into history at Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park.
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 Forest With ten distinct tracts surrounding Lake Talquin, a reservoir along the Ochlockonee River, this state forest provides recreation opportunities just west of Tallahassee.
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.
Leon Sinks Geological Area In the Apalachicola National Forest just south of Tallahassee, Leon Sinks Geological Area offers a delightful introduction to the wonders of karst topography on its trails.
Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park Tucked in a leafy glade near Lake Miccosukee, Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park preserves one of the state's greatest archaeological treasures, Florida's tallest ceremonial mound.
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.
Maclay Gardens Lake Hall Trails Walk among towering trees along a pair of nature trails starting at opposite ends of Lake Hall Recreation Area to savor the hardwood forests overlooking the lake. 
Maclay Gardens Lake Trail Behind the famed historic gardens at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, the Lake Trail loops Lake Overstreet on a well-trodden hilly loop with overlook stops.
Maclay Gardens Ravine Trail Under a mature canopy of hardwood forest, the mostly-level Ravine Trail at MacLay Gardens Lake Overstreet Addition makes an easy 2.2 mile hike with stunning seasonal wildflowers. 
Mission San Luis A rugged little hike, the Julia Woodward Nature Trail at Mission San Luis doesn’t top a half mile, but it's a hike through history in the woods in the city of Tallahassee.
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.
Ney Landrum State Park Wildflowers bloom throughout the year alongside a series of interconnected trails crisscrossing forested woodlands near the headwaters of the St. Marks River.
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.
Okeeheepkee Prairie Preserve A scenic half mile loop around a wet prairie within the Lake Jackson floodplain provides a pleasant birding stop fronted by a creative outdoor play space at Parwez Alam Park. 
Pedrick Pond Park Adjoining the Eastside Branch Library off Mahan Drive, an easy mile loop around a big pond lets families both read and watch wildlife together.
San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park With a historic timeline dating back five centuries, San Marcos de Apalache protects layers of history accumulated at the confluence of the Wakulla and St. Marks Rivers
San Marcos de Apalache Interpretive Trail The site of the first coastal fortress in Northwest Florida, San Marcos de Apalache has a 0.6-mile interpretive trail at the confluence of two major rivers
Silver Lake Trail A popular spot in the Apalachicola National Forest near Tallahassee, Silver Lake Recreation Area offers a quiet hiking-only loop around glassy waters lined with stately cypress trees.
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.
Tallahassee Museum In a setting of natural beauty along Lake Bradford, the Tallahassee Museum is a largely outdoors educational center highlighting the natural and cultural history of the region. 
Tallahassee-St. Marks Trail Following the route of the first railroad chartered in Florida, this 16 mile paved trail from Tallahassee to the St. Marks River is one of Florida's oldest rail trails.
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.
Tom Brown Park Gateway to two notable Tallahassee trails, Tom Brown Park has its own network of trails and a variety of recreation for all. 
Tower Pond Trail At St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, the Tower Pond Trail loops a mile through vast impoundments and marshes along the Gulf of Mexico, providing scenic panoramas and great birding. 
Wacissa Springs One of a vanishing breed of old-time swimming holes within an easy drive of Tallahassee, Wacissa Springs is the birthplace of the Wacissa River and home to more than a dozen springs.
Wakulla Springs State Park A 1930s resort turned nature park surrounding one of the world's largest springs, Wakulla Springs State Park is a step back in time with a historic waterfront lodge.
Wakulla Springs Trail Immersed in dense forests along the Wakulla River floodplain, the Wakulla Springs Trail wraps together several named trails through picturesque landscapes near the big spring.
Wakulla State Forest Forest roads and multi-use trails form a loop in Wakulla State Forest, navigating a variety of natural environments including a small freshwater spring. 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. 
Horn Spring Trail (12/12/2023) Four miles upriver from Natural Bridge Battlefield as the trail winds, scenic Horn Spring is a destination within an expansion of the park protecting springs of the St. Marks River.NEARBY: Apalachicola National Forest, Blountstown, Crawfordville, Marianna, Monticello, Perry, Quincy, Sopchoppy, St. Marks, St. Marks NWR | PART OF: Northwest Florida